Castle Cornet

The Castle has guarded the harbour for 800 years. You can explore the battlements and enjoy breath-taking views towards the other islands. Four Museums, four period gardens, Cafe Maeva and our shop are all here to discover.

2024 Season Opening Times:

Open 7 days a week 10am to 5pm from 20th March to 3rd November 2024.

Check the What's On page here for events at all our sites, including Castle Cornet.

Admission prices:

£11.00 - Adults

£3.00 - Children (7-18 years) & Students (with valid student card)

FREE - Children under 7 years

£22 per named adult for 12 months unlimited access during normal seasonal opening hours to ALL FOUR SITES with our Discovery Pass(<-click for details). All accompanying children then go FREE!

No pets are allowed on site - please see the Access section below for information on Assistance Dogs.

Access:

We regret that the Castle is not accessible to wheelchairs beyond the shop. The Castle has steps, steep staircases and uneven surfaces which those with restricted mobility or impaired vision might find difficult.

There are sheer drops and children should be closely supervised at all times.

We recommend that visitors with special needs visit the AccessAble page on Castle Cornet, which gives a detailed description of access - click here.

AccessAble have also produced a route plan from the Albert Pier to the Castle - view it here.

Assistance dogs are welcome at Castle Cornet but we do not accept other pets. Your dog should wear the appropriate tabards or harness, so our staff know that they are working animals. If you are in any doubt about bringing your assistance dog, please contact us for more information.

Push chairs/buggies/prams are tricky to use around the Castle with all the steps and different surfaces so backpack-style carriers can be borrowed from the Gift Shop if required.

Finding Us:

Telephone 01481 221657 during seasonal opening hours or just call the main museum number on 01481 226518.

Castle Cornet is on the southern arm of St Peter Port harbour. On foot it is best to follow the raised walkway along the harbour emplacement. It is a 10 minute walk from the town bus terminus,15 minutes from the main town car parks and the Guernsey Information Centre. View map...

Parking - there is on-road parking around the model yacht pond and along the harbour arm. Note that these are disc zones requiring a parking clock and a stay limited to two or three hours in some places.

Bus - the Castle is a 10-minute walk from the bus terminus (all routes except 111)

Castle Cornet is on Google Street View. View map here

Activities & Features:

The Noon-day gun is one of most popular and impressive sites. It is fired daily throughout the season by keepers clad in scarlet costumes who will stay and pose for photos with you after every firing.
Children's trails to follow around the castle and activity sheets in some of the museums. Just ask in the shop or any of our uniformed staff around the site.
Dressing Up available to wear around the castle.
Living History Performances from the Guernsey History in Action Company are regularly performed throughout the season. They last about 20-30 minutes and usually start at 12.10pm (subject to change and occasional cancellation on the day) so check at the shop when you arrive. Visit their website at www.ghiac.org to see the monthly schedule and learn more about the plays they perform.

Cafe Maeva is open daily 10:30 - 16:30 so make sure to leave time to enjoy a drink and piece of homemade cake. If the weather is fine, you can enjoy outdoor seating with views toward Herm and Sark. As Cafe Maeva is central within the Castle, the experience is exclusive to those who have a Castle entry ticket or Discovery Pass.
The Gift Shop at the entrance sells a wide variety of souvenirs, local food & crafts, local and historic books. If nothing else, we recommend you buy a guide book of the castle.

The Castle's Museums:

Within the walls of the Castle are four museums included in your admission:

The Story of Castle Cornet

201 Squadron (RAF) Museum

Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum

Royal Guernsey Militia Museum

"How long does it take to visit?"

COME FOR AN HOUR - Have a quick peek in a museum, enjoy the fantastic views of the harbour and St Peter Port, purchase a guide book and a magnet for your fridge and away you go!

STAY ALL DAY - Arrive early, watch the noonday gun, go round every garden and museum in detail, climb to the top, explore every passageway, watch the boats out on the harbour and follow every trail.

Everyone is different and will enjoy things in their own way! However long you choose to stay, just enjoy!

Town Walk with Castle Cornet Guided Tour:

Tours of Guernsey, run by one of Guernsey's Accredited Guides is now running a tour which includes a guided walk around the streets of St Peter Port and entrance to the castle. You'll be taken on a hour tour around the castle grounds after which you will be free to explore the castle and our museums at your leisure. Please visit their website for details of this and other tours and to book onto this fantastic chance to join a tour that really encapsulates the history of St Peter Port and its Castle.

For details and booking on this tour http://www.toursofguernsey.com/tours