St Mawes Castle

School Visits

One of the best preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, St Mawes was part of a chain of forts built in response to the threat of invasion from Catholic France and Spain. It was also garrisoned during the Napoleonic Wars and World War 2, and with all of this history represented at the site, there are plenty of learning opportunities to explore with your class. 

Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in the classroom by stepping out of it. A visit to St Mawes Castle will help you bring learning to life, covering multiple topics across the curriculum and key stages.

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality
  • KS2 History: A local history study. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS2 Geography: Use geographical skills and fieldwork. Types of settlement and land use. Understand the strategic significance of the castle’s position
  • KS3 History: A local history study. The development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745. Ideas, political power, industry & empire: Britain 1745-1901. Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day
  • KS3 Geography: Understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes and how human activity relies on effective functioning of natural systems

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to St Mawes Castle and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives. Enter the castle through the original guardhouse, and look out for the handgun loops in the walls and murder holes under the arch. Look down the "oubliette" in the gun tower, used for punishing prisoners, and explore the rooms in the castle keep, including the basement kitchen with a large fireplace and bread oven.  Outside are various bastions and gun platforms, showing the different developments in the castle defences over time, including remains of Tudor gun platforms, cannons and the saluting battery.

Find out more

Plan your trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page.

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: Parking charges apply to non-members. The upper car park contains 15 spaces and two disabled spaces. When more parking is required, visitors can use the castle's lower car park. A set of concrete steps and a steep road separate the car parks with the site entrance. Unfortunately the site is not suitable for coaches, however mini buses are allowed. The nearest off-site car park is located in St Mawes village - charges apply.
    • TOILETS: Toilets are available at the site.
    • FOOD AND DRINK: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds. There are plenty of grassed areas and a number of bench seats, although no tables. 
    • SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring your students in supervised small groups.
  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments. 

     

    You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

    • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
    • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
    • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
    • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
    • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
    • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
    • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
    • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group
  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer free self-led education visits during school term time*. 

    *Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • April-1 November: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • 2 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 17 February-23 February: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources

  • Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle Teachers' Kit (KS1-KS4+)

    Our Teachers’ Kits feature historical information and activity suggestions for group leaders of various subjects and key stages.

  • Teaching Tudors and Stuarts

    This guide to teaching Tudors and Stuarts includes advice from our educational experts and historians as well as suggested activities to try with your students in the classroom or on a school trip. 

  • Local Learning: Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle

    Explore the unique historic environment around Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle with our suggested reading, activities and video resources. 

  • A Mini Guide to Castles

    ​Discover how castles developed over time with this short introduction.

  • Homes Through History: St Mawes Castle

    Meet the porter at St Mawes Castle to find out what life was like for the garrison stationed there during Elizabeth I's reign. 

  • Teaching the 20th Century

    Use historical information, learning activities and tips from our historians, curators and educational experts to support your teaching of 20th century history.