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Pendennis Castle, Cornwall

 

Pendennis Castle is one of a chain of castles built by Henry VIII along the south coast of England ostensibly to protect the country from French and Spanish attack. To allow his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, Henry had switched the religion of England from Catholicism to Protestantism. This led to short lived fears of invasion from Catholic France and Spain. Although the threat of invasion was never serious, a huge building programme of shore line defence began in 1539. A chain of forts built along the south coast included Camber Castle in East Sussex, Walmer Castle, Deal Castle, and Sandown Castle in Kent, Southsea Castle at Portsmouth, Hurst Castle and Portland Castle in Dorset, Calshott Castle at Southampton, Yarmouth Castle on the Isle of Wight and the sister fortifications of Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle in Cornwall. The functional appearance of these castles belies their largely symbolic role. The threat of invasion was brief, but the effect of changing a religion was explosive, and indeed the aftershocks remain with us today, most clearly in the divisions between people in Northern Ireland. Religions are designed to hold people together and maintain hierarchy and discipline. With a change of religion and the possibility of division, perhaps England needed to feel itself pulled together by the illusion of imminent invasion, which apparently could only be countered by the building of huge forts. Symbolism was taken further in the use of stone from demolished monasteries going into the building of the forts. The solid walls of these forts, almost all of which survive, is a physical manifestation of a struggle of ideas and beliefs. They are solid, squat and functional, and yet they have all the symbolism of the churches from which they were built. The south coast castles were not really built to face an external enemy. Instead they were designed to create a symbolism that would prevent divisions appearing from within.

 

 

 

Half Moon Battery

Ironically the only time many of these castles were involved in battle was during the Civil War of the seventeenth century. Pendennis Castle was a refuge for Charles II, on the run from Cromwell's forces following the royalist defeat in 1646. Charles was at Pendennis when he heard of the final royalist defeat at Torrington on 2nd March 1646. Charles then sailed to the Isles of Scilly, while Pendennis withstood a five month siege. Only one other royalist garrison held out for longer on the British mainland.

Later in history the site of Pendennis was finally used in a national struggle. Second World War coastal defences were based here. Walking down through tunnels cut through the cliff, it is still possible to visit the Half Moon battery which occasionally shelled distant German E Boats. In July and August the "Noon Day" gun fires regularly. Guided tours allow access to underground magazines where a German air raid is simulated. The Battery Observation Post, controlling Half Moon Battery, features a regular recreation of engagements with German boats.

The whole of the history of Pendennis, from the reign of Henry VIII to modern times can be explored at the Discovery Centre.

 

 

 

Opening Times: Open daily all year round.

April - 30th June 10am to 5pm.

1st July - 31st August 10am - 6pm.

September 10am - 5pm.

October to March 10am - 4pm.

Please note the castle always closes at 4pm on Saturday. Last admission one hour prior to closing.

Closed 24th to 26th December, and 1st January.

Directions: Pendennis Castle is on Pendennis Head in Cornwall, one mile south east of Falmouth. Falmouth Docks train station is a mile away from the castle. Click here for an interactive map centred on Pendennis Castle. Postcode TR11 4LP.

Access: There is partial wheelchair access to the ground floor only. There is good access to the shop and tea shop. Adapted toilet facilities are available.

Contact:

telephone: 01326 316594

web site: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle/