St Catherine's Castle
Cornwall, England
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Par, 3.2 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
S W Coast Path, Fowey PL23 1JH
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Visitor essentials
- Safety
- Sheer unguarded drops within the castle ruins; climbing on walls is prohibited.
A small Henrician fort tucked into the cliffs above Fowey harbour, more a coastal viewpoint with ruins attached than a destination castle. It's free, unstaffed, and reached by a steep climb through the woods - reviewers say it rewards the effort with some of the best views over the harbour mouth.
Worth the trip
The view over the mouth of the Fowey estuary - reviewers consistently rate it as the best part of the visit.
Before you go
There's no parking at the site itself - you'll need to park in Fowey and walk, across a small beach and up a flight of stairs that reviewers warn gets muddy after rain.
Reviewers consistently enjoy the walk to St Catherine's Castle via the beach and coastal path, praising the free entry and clifftop views, though several mention the approach involves a steep, sometimes muddy climb. One visitor was disappointed that staff hadn't warned them the garden was closed and that crowding meant they couldn't get inside on a busy day.
Small Henrician fort above Fowey
“Nice remains of a castle / gun tower. Free to access after a steep climb through the woods. Not very big, more of a passing visit, or a nice stop if walking the coast or visiting the beach here. No car parking at the…”- BMO, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “NB...you could also park at Tower Park Parking/Readymoney Carpark at the bottom of Hanson Drive/Tower park Road...which is slightly nearer.” - Linda Haylock
- Terrain & accessibility
- “You go across a small beach and up some stairs with a little bit of a steep climb that can become quite muddy.” - Sophie O'Connor
Common questions about St Catherine's Castle
Where is St Catherine's Castle?
St Catherine's Castle is in Cornwall, England, at S W Coast Path, Fowey PL23 1JH.
Is St Catherine's Castle free to visit?
Yes - St Catherine's Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting St Catherine's Castle?
The view over the mouth of the Fowey estuary - reviewers consistently rate it as the best part of the visit.
Is St Catherine's Castle a ruin or still intact?
St Catherine's Castle is a ruin - Small Henrician fort above Fowey.
