Castle Cornet

Castle Cornet, guarding the entrance to the harbour of St Peter Port, has been the defensive heart of Guernsey for some 800 years, a magnificent fortress that once stood on its own tidal island before a breakwater joined it to the town. Layer upon layer of history is written in its walls, from a medieval castle to Tudor and later fortifications, and it survived a dramatic explosion that destroyed its keep. Today it is a lively heritage site, its ramparts and courtyards housing several museums, beautiful gardens and fine views over the harbour and neighbouring islands. Each day the tradition of the noonday gun is upheld with ceremony, making the castle a genuinely engaging and historic centrepiece of the capital.

What you actually see

• The ramparts - the historic fortifications and harbour views.
• The noonday gun - the daily firing ceremony.
• The museums - the several museums within the walls.
• The gardens - the beautiful terraced castle gardens.

When to go

April to October brings the mildest weather and long days for exploring the ramparts, gardens and museums, when the castle is fully open and the noonday gun fired daily; spring and early autumn are pleasant and quieter. The harbour views are finest on clear, bright days.

Honest expectations

Castle Cornet is a layered historic site with plenty of steps and ramparts to explore, and its several small museums reward unhurried time. As the 800-year guardian of St Peter Port harbour, rich in history and gardens and famed for its daily noonday gun, though, Castle Cornet is a genuinely engaging and rewarding centrepiece of Guernsey.

Nearby

The harbour town of St Peter Port and its seafront lie alongside.