- St Mawes is in Cornwall, England.
- Fal Estuary
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About St Mawes
St Mawes is a sheltered fishing village and small resort on the Roseland Peninsula, looking across the Fal Estuary to Falmouth. Its Tudor castle guards the harbour entrance, and the village is reached by a chain ferry across the Carrick Roads from the Falmouth side.
The story of St Mawes
St Mawes Castle was built between 1540 and 1543 by Henry VIII as one of his Device Forts, designed to guard the deep-water entrance to the Fal Estuary alongside Pendennis Castle on the opposite shore, and is the best-preserved of Henry's cloverleaf artillery forts. The village grew as a fishing and smuggling port under the shelter of the castle, and in the 19th century became a fashionable watering place for steam-packet day-trippers from Falmouth and Truro. The Place-St Mawes chain ferry, linking the village with Place House on the Falmouth side, has carried passengers across the Carrick Roads since the 19th century.
Visiting with care
Take the Place-St Mawes chain ferry across the Carrick Roads for the classic harbour approach, or drive around the Roseland Peninsula from Tregony. Visit the castle and walk the coast path to St Just in Roseland and its creekside church.
Interesting facts
- St Mawes Castle was built 1540-1543 by Henry VIII as a Device Fort to guard the Fal Estuary.
- It forms a pair with Pendennis Castle across the estuary, built at the same time for cross-fire on enemy ships.
- The Place-St Mawes chain ferry crosses the Carrick Roads, one of the deepest natural harbours in the world.
- The village became a 19th-century watering place served by steam packets from Falmouth.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.