Lamorran Gardens
One of the most interesting sites in St Mawes are the Sub Tropical gardens of Lamorran. The gardens , as now laid out, were started when Mr and Mrs Dudley-Cooke acquired the property in 1982. A large collection of Rhododendrons and evergreen azaleas were brought from their former garden and formed the basis for the early plantings. Situated on the Roseland Peninsula with extensive views of St.Anthony's Head and lighthouse, the garden enjoys a favoured microclimate in an already favoured area, and frosts are very rare and not of any severity except in a very exceptional year.
Tennis Courts
If you’re in the mood for an afternoon match there is a tennis court at the top of the main village car park in the recreational grounds. There are also slides and swings to keep the kids amused. Bookings for the courts are taken through the tourist information centre, below the Millennium rooms in the car park.
Boat Hire
If you fancy a trip in a small motor boat there is one for hire through Freshwater boatyard. Their 5.5 m bass boat built by Leach Boat builders is ideal for pottering around the rivers and creeks in the area. For more information & bookings contact Mike or Sue on 01326 270443. As an alternative the operators of the Place ferry also stock small boats for hire. Follow the link on the left for details.
Kayak Hire
Hire a sit on kayak for the day and explore the rivers and creaks arounds St Mawes. See www.stmaweskayaks.co.uk
Walking
As one can imagine the walks on the Roseland are fantastic. Should you need an OS map the Tourist information centre in the car park usually stocks these. For detailed walks click here.
Billiards & Pool
Should you find the weather turns a bit miserable the local billiards and social club has two full sized tables as well as lub are very welcome and take away food may be brought in. There is also a great patio area that gets the sun all day.a pool table and Sky T.V for any sports events., as well as a well stocked bar with local ales. www.stmawessocialclub.co.uk
Art Galleries
There are a couple of local galleries in the village that show works that have been completed by local artists. These range from very small works to huge paintings that would look great in a good sized room. These are well worth a visit.
St Mawes Castle
In the late 1530's Henry VIII was under threat of war from France and Spain because he had divorced his Catholic wife, Catherine of Aragon. He immediately set about the fortification of the south coast. Between 1540 and 1545 the River Fal was given two forts to protect it, St Mawes on the east bank and Pendennis on the west. St Mawes stands on the low Roseland Peninsula and its main building consisted of a central tower entirely surrounded by three lobes shaped like a clover leaf. Pendennis was a simple round tower and gate enclosed by a lower curtain wall. Pendennis being on high ground, dominating its peninsula, held out for six months in 1646 against the Parliamentarians. Apart from Raglan Castle was the last to surrender to Cromwell's forces.
St Mawes, in contrast was in a weak position half way up a hill with no defence from a landward attack. The governor immediately surrendered. In more recent times the two forts were used as barracks and in both World Wars were included in Britain's coastal defence. For more details see the link on the left.
