Upmarket riverside village
Web: www.stmawes.info
Web: www.visitcornwall.com/destinations/st-mawes
Web: www.stmawesandtheroseland.co.uk
St. Mawes, is a pretty harbour-side village that looks out over The Fal Estuary towards the busy maritime town of Falmouth and almost on the very end of The Roseland Peninsula on the A3078. The dramatic Cornish coastline around St. Mawes was used as the setting for the popular television series Poldark. The population of the village was 1,158 at the 2011 census.
St. Mawes still has a small working fishing fleet consisting of a dozen or so operators who now have a wet fish shop open on the harbour-side.
This is very much a sea faring community, with boats and yachts continually setting anchor in the calm waters just beyond the main harbour. St. Mawes' sheltered location creates a a safe anchorage with easy access to the coast, the Fal and the Carricks Roads - (a large waterway created after the Ice age from an ancient valley which flooded as the melt waters caused the sea level to rise dramatically -creating an immense natural harbour, the world's third largest, which is navigable from Falmouth to Truro).
St. Mawes is an ideal spot for a family holiday. The village has two very good beaches, on either side of the harbour, both are excellent for swimming and benefit from a southerly aspect - making them ideal for sunbathing. St. Mawes has several shops, a bank, cafes and hotels around the harbour as well as a Sailing Club. Tennis courts can be hired in the recreation ground nearby.
St. Mawes Castle was built between 1539 and 1545 by Henry VIII as part of a defensive chain of fortresses to protect the south coast of England. The Castle, with its three huge circular bastions (like a clover leaf) and gun ports covering every angle of approach, is a fine example of Tudor military architecture.
The town takes its name from the Celtic Saint Maudez (Mawe), who may have come from Ireland and there was a chapel here dedicated to him with his holy well nearby.
There have been frequent private visits to St. Mawes by members of the Royal Family including HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, HRH Princess Margaret and more recently the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall who ended their stay in July 2008 by naming the new St. Mawes ferry 'The Duchess of Cornwall'. HM The Queen visited St. Mawes in 1977 during her Silver Jubilee Tour. In June 2002 for The Queen's Golden Jubilee and again in June 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee.
There is a regular ferry service to Falmouth, and another across the Percuil River to St. Antony. The area also includes part of the coastal footpath and visitors can enjoy many lovely coastal and inland walks.
The town's Tourist Information Centre is at The Millennium Rooms, The Square, TR2 5AG.
Barry Bucknell (1912-2003), a BBC TV presenter was born in the village.
Tracy Hitchings (1962–2022) was an English musician and the former lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Landmarq. Her musical credits spanned from 1989 to 2022 with many notable sessions with various bands and artists, predominantly in the British neo-prog scene. Hitchings was known for her charismatic stage presence and her wide vocal range.
David Richards (1952-) a former racing driver and owner of Aston Martin and now owns a hotel in the village.
Frank Williams (1942-) the founder and team principal of the Williams F1 Formula One racing team owned a house here.
There is a very pleasant three mile walk from St. Mawes Castle to St Just in Roseland Church.
Roseland Festival - End of April.
St. Mawes Regatta - End of July.
St. Mawes Carnival - Early August.
St. Mawes Castle Falmouth Portscatho The Roseland Peninsula
Cornwall's Ferrys St. Anthony Head Place Manor