Pendennis Castle is a Tudor artillery fort built by Henry VIII on Pendennis Point in Falmouth, Cornwall, managed by English Heritage. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the 2026/27 admission prices, valid from 28 March 2026. At Pendennis the Super Saver rate applies on Fridays and Saturdays — not Mondays to Fridays as at most English Heritage sites. Parking is free for all visitors, including non-members.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Pendennis Head, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4LP |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–5pm (summer); reduced days in winter (see below) |
| Adult ticket | £12.32–£15.38 depending on date and day |
| Nearest train | Falmouth Docks (~20-minute walk) or Falmouth Town (~25-minute walk) |
| Parking | Free car park on Castle Drive for all visitors; limited accessible parking on site |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
Pendennis Castle opening hours
The 2026/27 schedule (28 March 2026 – 16 March 2027): 28 Mar – 24 Oct, daily 10am–5pm; 25 Oct – 1 Nov, daily 10am–4pm; 2 Nov – 23 Dec, Sat–Sun only, 10am–4pm; 24–26 Dec, closed; 27 Dec – 1 Jan, daily 10am–4pm; 2 Jan – 12 Feb, Sat–Sun only, 10am–4pm; 13–21 Feb (half-term), daily 10am–4pm; 22 Feb – 16 Mar, Wed–Sun, 10am–4pm. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Opening hours last updated in March 2026.
Five great things to do while you’re in Cornwall
- 👻 Feel the chills in the abandoned cells on a hugely atmospheric tour of Bodmin Jail.
- 🌱 Explore the world’s largest indoor rainforest at the Eden Project.
- 🎬 Discover the Beyond Paradise filming locations around Looe on a specialised tour.
- 🐬 Spot dolphins, seals and porpoises on a RIB sealife safari from Padstow.
- 🏄 Hit the surf in Newquay with a two hour surfing lesson.
Pendennis Castle ticket prices
At Pendennis the Super Saver rate applies on Fridays and Saturdays — the cheapest rate falls Sun–Thu outside peak summer, the reverse of most English Heritage sites. English Heritage members enter free. Concessions apply to visitors aged 65+, students with a valid ID, and jobseekers with relevant ID.
Visitors arriving by train, bus, or bicycle receive 20% off walk-up admission — show your ticket or bike helmet at the desk.
Super Saver — Fri–Sat, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; daily, 2 Nov–16 Mar
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £12.32 |
| Concession | £11.56 |
| Child | £6.12 |
Saver — Sun–Thu, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; Fri–Sat, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £13.85 |
| Concession | £13.09 |
| Child | £6.88 |
Standard — Sun–Thu, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £15.38 |
| Concession | £13.85 |
| Child | £7.65 |
Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount. Pendennis Castle is not included in any city pass scheme. Ticket prices last updated in March 2026.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to get to Pendennis Castle
Pendennis Castle is on Pendennis Head at the southern tip of Falmouth, approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre.
By train: Falmouth Docks (Great Western Railway from Truro) is approximately a 20-minute walk; Falmouth Town approximately 25 minutes. A train ticket gives 20% off walk-up admission.
By bus: The Falmouth Town Shuttle (route 366) stops at Pendennis Rise near the entrance. A bus ticket gives 20% off admission. Check timetables at traveline.info.
By ferry: The St Mawes Ferry runs from Prince of Wales Pier; a separate ferry runs from the docks below the headland. The crossing offers views of both castles and is the most scenic way to combine a visit to St Mawes.
By cycle: The site is on the National Cycle Network. Bike racks are on site. Showing your bike helmet gives 20% off admission.
By car: Use postcode TR11 4LP; follow signs past the Ships & Castles Leisure Centre to Castle Drive.
Parking at Pendennis Castle
Parking on Castle Drive is free for all visitors, including non-members. Accessible parking is within the castle grounds, behind the Royal Garrison Artillery Barracks, approximately 150 metres from the castle; it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Disabled visitors can be set down at the keep entrance before the vehicle is parked.
How long to spend at Pendennis Castle
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at this English Castle. The keep, Royal Artillery Barrack Block, Field Train Shed gun collection, Half Moon Battery, Discovery Centre, and café can all be seen within this time. Allow longer during school holidays when the site runs additional events and activities.
Accessibility at Pendennis Castle
The outer grounds are relatively flat and accessible. The Royal Artillery Barrack Block has a lift to the first floor. The keep requires a spiral staircase and is not accessible for wheelchair users. The Half Moon Battery tour involves loud sounds and low lighting and is not recommended for wheelchair users or children.
Accessible parking is within the grounds, 150 metres from the castle along a concrete path (first-come, first-served). Disabled visitors can be set down at the keep entrance. Toilets including accessible facilities are near the café and on the Barrack Block first floor. Baby-changing facilities are available. Braille and large-print handouts are available on request. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout, including inside buildings. Dog bowls are on site. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Inside Pendennis Castle: what to see
Pendennis was built between 1539 and 1545 as part of Henry VIII’s chain of coastal artillery forts. Together with St Mawes Castle across the Fal Estuary, it controlled the entrance to the Carrick Roads — one of the world’s largest natural harbours. The site remained in military use until after the Second World War.
The Tudor keep can be climbed via a spiral staircase through a series of rooms — including a recreated Tudor Gun Room — to the roof for 360-degree views over Falmouth Bay and across to St Mawes. The Field Train Shed houses a collection of historic guns spanning Tudor sakers, Edwardian quick-firing guns, and Second World War coast defence weapons. The Half Moon Battery (1894) is reached via a rock-cut tunnel; daily free volunteer-led tours run without pre-booking — ask at the entrance for times. A separate pre-booked group tour of the battery (11–25 people, extra charge, 30 days’ advance notice required) is not suitable for children, wheelchair users, or those with limited mobility.
The Royal Artillery Barrack Block contains the Fortress Falmouth and First World War exhibitions, both accessible by lift. The Discovery Centre has tactile exhibits and family displays. A Castle Explorers family trail runs throughout the site. A soft play area for under-5s is next to the café. The Number 6 Café in the Barracks serves Cornish pasties, hot meals, sandwiches, and cakes using locally sourced ingredients; kids’ lunchboxes are available. Indoor and outdoor seating is provided; outdoor seating is suited to visitors with dogs. A gift shop is on site.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Super Saver is Fri–Sat here | The cheapest rate falls Sun–Thu outside peak summer — the reverse of most English Heritage sites. |
| Parking is free for everyone | Castle Drive charges nothing — not even for non-members. Accessible parking within the grounds is first-come, first-served. |
| 20% off for sustainable travel | Train ticket, bus ticket, or bike helmet shown at the desk gives 20% off walk-up admission. |
| Combine with St Mawes by ferry | The St Mawes Ferry crosses the estuary — the most scenic way to visit both EH castles in one day. Both are free for members. |
| Half Moon Battery group tour needs 30 days’ notice | Minimum 11 participants, pre-booked at least 30 days in advance. Not suitable for children or wheelchair users. |
Frequently asked questions about Pendennis Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Pendennis Castle open in winter? | Partially. Saturdays and Sundays only from November to mid-February, with daily opening during half-term and a Wed–Sun schedule from late February. |
| Is parking free at Pendennis Castle? | Yes. The Castle Drive car park is free for all visitors, including non-members. |
| Are dogs allowed at Pendennis Castle? | Yes. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site and inside buildings. Dog bowls are available. |
| Is Pendennis Castle accessible for wheelchair users? | Partially. The grounds and Barrack Block first floor (by lift) are accessible. The keep requires a spiral staircase and is not wheelchair accessible. |
| How do I get 20% off admission? | Show a train ticket, bus ticket, or bike helmet at the ticket desk on arrival. |
Things to do near Pendennis Castle
St Mawes Castle (English Heritage), directly across the Fal Estuary, is a well-preserved Tudor artillery fort reachable by ferry; members free. National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth is a 15-minute walk. Trebah Garden (~4 miles, near Mawnan Smith) is a sub-tropical ravine garden. Glendurgan Garden (National Trust, ~4 miles) also charges for entry. Falmouth town centre (~1.5 miles) has independent shops, galleries, and restaurants along a working harbour.
More Cornwall travel
Other Cornwall travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
