Restormel Castle

Restormel Castle stands on a high, deeply ditched mound above the River Fowey, a short distance north of Lostwithiel. Its keep is almost perfectly circular, and it is the best-known circular castle in Cornwall. English Heritage dates the castle to the later 13th century, and it reached its greatest splendour under Edward the Black Prince, who made two long visits to the castle and its deer park.

Inside the keep you can trace the great hall and the other buildings the Black Prince used. Climb the steps to walk the wall walk round the battlements for views over the surrounding countryside. The grounds make a good picnic spot, and a Restormel walking trail leads into the Fowey valley.

The castle is managed by English Heritage and is closed for the winter and reopens in March 2027, so check the English Heritage website for dates and times before you travel. Booking tickets in advance online saves 15%, and English Heritage members get in free. St Catherine’s Castle at Fowey, about 6.5 miles away, makes a natural second stop.