"Cornish Castles (Or ..." a United Kingdom Travel Page by Geoff_Wright

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<font color=green size=+1>The visitor to the UK will be aware of its ancient historical sites, for there are castles and grand houses everywhere. Castles in Wales and Scotland are generally well known, and lots are in good repair (for their age!), whilst in the West of England they are now mainly historical ruins. Nevertheless well worth a visit if you are a lover of British history.

The remains of the most important early British encampment in Cornwall is</font><font color=blue size=+1> 'Castle-an-Dinas'</font><font color=green size=+1>. By their size the fortifications were evidently of some importance. The name has been variously interpreted and my trusty 100 year old guide book gives three. Firstly, the 'Castle of the Danes', which, it says, is 'no doubt inaccurate'! Secondly, '(probably correct) is The Castle of the Men', and thirdly, 'The Castle on the High Ground, or Hill'. My more recent guide book, by the same publisher, says: 'An Dinas means 'The Castle', and when the English came here they added their meaning, and so we have 'Castle-an-Dinas'. I have related to this story to highlight the complicated ancient history of Britain, and how even now it is unfolding and changing. Castle-an-Dinas is not a spectacular place but it deserves a mention in this short introduction to Cornish Castles. It lies about 3 miles East of the town of St Columb Major (A39 road).</font>

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Tintagel

<font color=green size=+1>A much more spectacular castle, and perhaps the most famous and well known in Cornwall, is at</font><font color=blue size=+1> Tintagel.</font><font color=green size=+1> This is the legendary castle of </font><font color=red size=+1>King Arthur,</font><font color=green size=+1> and although there is claim and counter claim as to its inhabitants, it is nevertheless a place of intregue and mistery. The castle dates from the 12th century, but the earliest remains here are those of the Celtic monastery dating between the 5th and 6th centuries, and already in ruins when the castle was built. By the middle of the 16th century the castle was itself a complete ruin. Inside the ruins there is little to see of historical interest. The views, however, up and down the rugged coastline, are spectacular. The visitor will stop and ponder for a while to dream up images in his own mind as to what historical deeds may have taken place here centuries ago. During the summer months Tintagel can become quite busy, there being a number of attractions of an historical nature in and around the town. There are car parks in the town, and the visitor must either walk down to the castle or, for a small fee, use the transport especially provided for this purpose. </font><font color=blue size=+1>Tintagel village </font><font color=green size=+1>(or town) is on the North Cornish coast on the B3263 road about 6 miles West of the town of </font><font color=blue size=+1>Camelford </font><font color=green size=+1>(A39).(A better photo will follow later!).</font>

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Launceston

<font color=green size=+1>Often described as</font><font color=red size=+1> 'The Gateway to Cornwall'</font><font color=green size=+1> - owing to its position just over the border from Devon, </font><font color=blue size=+1>Launceston </font><font color=green size=+1>is a town well worth a visit. </font><font color=blue size=+1>Launceston </font><font color=green size=+1>(pronounced Launston - or even Lanson by the local folk) was once the capital of the County, and therefore has a long and varied history. The town is missed by the tourist these days due to the main A30 by-bass. It does, amongst other things, have well preserved ruins of its former stronghold - the castle. The date that</font><font color=Blue size=+1> "Castle Terrible" </font><font color=green size=+1>was built is still a matter of debate amongst historians, but it is believed building began at the time of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) . Much of the masonry structure belongs to the early 13th century. During the English Civil Wars (1642-46 and 1648) it had various temporary ownerships, the sequence of inheritance by the Dukes of Cornwall and Princes of Wales, heirs to the British Crown, has survived to the present day. There are good car parks in the town, and the castle is easily reached from the town centre. Launceston is well signposted from the main A30 road. (Picture by English Heritage).</font>

<font color=green size=+1>Visitors to the town of </font><font color=blue size=+1>Lostwithiel,</font><font color=green size=+1> in the South of Cornwall, should not miss the opportunity to visit the remains of </font><font color=blue size=+1>Restormel Castle,</font><font color=green size=+1> one of the most attractive features in the area. The earliest castle here was an earthwork consisting of a ring motte (a mound) with a bailey (outer wall of castle or inner defensive circuits)on the west side, dating from the 12th century.In the early 13th century a masonry shell keep was built on top of the circular ramparts, with the curtain wall over 8 feet thick. Later in the same century two-storey appartments were built inside the keep, replacing earlier wooden structures. The earliest mention of the castle is 1264. Since 1299 it has belonged to the Earldom(later Duchy) of Cornwall. By the 16th centry the castle was unoccupied and in ruins. (Picture to follow)</font>

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Pendennis and St Mawes Castles

<font color=green size=+1>The visitor proceeding to the West of Cornwall should pay a visit to </font><font color=blue size=+1>Pendennis Castle</font><font color=green size=+1> at</font><font color=blue size=+1> Falmouth,</font><font color=green size=+1> and its neighbour across the river at </font><font color=blue size=+1>St Mawes.</font>

<font color=blue size=+1>PENDENNIS CASTLE.</font><font color=green size=+1> In about 1543 Henry VIII, followed the examples of several predecessors when he built the nucleus of the present castle at Pendennis, on the site of an ancient fort. The castle's position commanded the wide sweep of the bay, the Channel to the South East, the harbour and its entrance, and nearly the whole of the town. Pendennis has a rich history, and, in 1646 during the Civil War, was besieged both from the land and sea by the forces of the Parliamentary forces. From this period until the present day practically the only event to mar the serenity of Pendennis was a severe thunderstorm in 1717, which severely damaged the 9 foot thick walls. </font><font color=blue size=+1>Falmouth </font><font color=green size=+1>is on the A39 road on the South coast.</font>

<font color=blue size=+1>ST MAWES CASTLE,</font><font color=green size=+1> on the opposite bank of the river estuary, was built in 1542. The place is very well preserved and a visit gives one an interesting reminder of the so called "Good Old Days". </font><font color=blue size=+1>St Mawes,</font><font color=green size=+1> on the A3078 road, can be reached from the A390 road - which rund between </font><font color=blue size=+1>St Austell</font><font color=green size=+1> and </font><font color=blue size=+1>Truro </font><font color=green size=+1>- or take the more scenic route via the</font><font color=red size=+1> 'King Harry' Ferry,</font><font color=green size=+1> about 5 miles inland. The picture here is of </font><font color=blue size=+1>St Mawes Castle,</font><font color=green size=+1> and probably taken about a hundred years ago.

All of the above Castles are now protected and maintained, mainly by </font><font color=red size=+1>'English Heritage',</font><font color=green size=+1> and are open to visitors, usually throughout the year. There are ample guide books on Cornish antiquities and what I have written is but a scratch on the surface. Visitors will find no shortage of information sites and visitors' centres providing times of opening and details of tours. Visit the </font><font color=red size=+1>English Heritage web site:</font><font color=magenta size=+1> www.english-heritage.org.uk</font>