Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Web: www.cornwallheritagetrust.org
Defended places
Our forebears were generally too busy fighting and destroying each other's property to be concerned about the consequences. Over the centuries, this has resulted in a wonderfully rich diversity of ancient buildings and monuments. These are the very foundation stones of our culture, and belong to us all.
Castles in Cornwall have existed since early man fortified many points around the coast, these must have been fairly massive structures for their day, as the ramparts can still be seen clearly in many locations today as you walk the coast path.
There was never enough agricultural wealth in Cornwall to attract the invaders. So it tended to miss out on the wave of Norman castles that were put up soon after the conquest. Restormel and Launceston castles are the only two examples of note.
Then there are the two Tudor castles at St. Mawes and Falmouth that guard the Carrick Roads. In fact the thought of invasion hung heavily over Cornwall for the last five hundred years. There were the odd skirmishes with the Spanish or French, and many headlands were used to house beacons as warning of approaching enemy fleets. Some of the castles were used again during the Civil War in 1643.
Even in this century gun emplacements and coast lookouts sprouted everywhere. Most of these were not too permanent, and all that remains is the concrete bases on many headlands and vantage points.
Ancient Sites in Cornwall Cornwall's History The Civil War in Cornwall Standing Stones of Cornwall
The National Trust in Cornwall English Heritage in Cornwall Cornwall Heritage Trust