St. Catherine's Castle, Fowey - Castles & Heritage Sites | Cornwall Holidays

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St. Catherine's Castle

Castles & Heritage Sites in Fowey

Small Henry VIII artillery fort above Fowey Harbour, free to visit in daylight hours. English Heritage site reached on foot via Readymoney Cove.

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St Catherine’s Castle is one of a pair of small artillery forts built by Henry VIII in the 1530s to defend Fowey Harbour, and English Heritage describes it as perhaps Cornwall’s smallest castle. It was modified in the 19th century during the Crimean War and again in the Second World War, when it became home to an anti-aircraft gun and an ammunition store.

Entry is free, and the site can be visited at any reasonable time during daylight hours. The castle can only be reached on foot. From the charged car park managed by Cornwall Council it is a three-quarter-mile walk via Readymoney Cove: a gentle slope down to the beach, then a steep climb through woodland that turns muddy in wet weather. There are public toilets at Ready Money Beach, and dogs on leads are welcome.

The ruins have sheer, unguarded drops, so keep children close and do not climb on the walls. Smoking, barbecues and naked flames are not permitted. The castle sits a short distance from the South West Coast Path and is worth the detour for walkers, and the shops and cafés of Fowey are about a ten-minute walk from Ready Money Cove. Restormel Castle, the circular keep near Lostwithiel, is about 6.5 miles away.

Where to stay near St. Catherine's Castle

Sample dates: 30 October 2026 - 1 November 2026. Adjust below to see live prices for Fowey.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is St. Catherine's Castle?: St. Catherine's Castle is located at S W Coast Path, Fowey PL23 1JH, United Kingdom, near Fowey in Cornwall. Check the official website for directions: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-catherines-castle/
How long do you need at St. Catherine's Castle?: The ruins are small, but the walk is three-quarters of a mile each way with a steep woodland climb, so allow time for the round trip.
Can I book St. Catherine's Castle online?: Yes, you can find more information and book via their website at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-catherines-castle/
Where can I stay near St. Catherine's Castle?: There are places to stay nearby in Fowey. Browse all properties in the area to find your perfect accommodation.

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Also Nearby

Whitehouse Tidal Pool

0.7km away

Carlyon Bay Golf Club

6.7km away

Pinetum Gardens

7.6km away

The Eden Project

7.9km away

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Best Luxury Hotels in Cornwall

Luxury in Cornwall comes in several distinct forms. There are the clifftop spa hotels - adults-only escapes with sea-view hot tubs and coastal treatments. There are the Victorian country house hotels set in landscaped grounds with pools, golf, and chauffeur services. And increasingly, there are the food-destination hotels that justify the room rate as much by what's on the plate as the thread count on the pillow. Cornwall now has 3 Michelin-starred restaurants: Paul Ainsworth at No.6 in Padstow, Outlaw's Fish Kitchen in Port Isaac, and Ugly Butterfly at the Headland Hotel in Newquay - the latter awarded in February 2026, making it Newquay's first Michelin star. That puts the county alongside some of the most food-credible hotel destinations in England. The hotels listed here represent the strongest options across the county: coast-facing spa resorts on the north coast, 5-star country houses on the Roseland, clifftop properties with direct beach access near St Ives, and a resort-scale property in Fowey. Prices vary significantly by season - the Nare Hotel, the Headland, and the Scarlet all charge substantially more in July and August than in November. Booking 3-6 months ahead for peak summer is standard at this tier.