Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet is Guernsey's ancient harbour fortress, which was isolated upon a rocky islet, until the construction of a breakwater and bridge in the 19th century. For more information about the castle's history, please click here. For information about the name 'Cornet' click here. and for details about the daily noonday gun ceremony click here.
Built on an offshore island to defend the town of St Peter Port and its anchorage, the castle was also at one time the residence of Guernsey's English governors. This tradition ended after lightning caused an explosion in 1672 which killed the wife and mother-in-law of the contemporary Governor, Charles Hatton, and extensively damaged the upper parts of the castle. Just a few years earlier, the castle had survived the English Civil War occupied by the royalist Governor and his garrison while the island of Guernsey sided with the parliamentarians. The two sides exchanged gunfire for years with the castle being supplied by sea from royalist Jersey. Castle Cornet was in fact the last royalist stronghold to fall, only being forced to surrender after supplies ran out following Jersey's capitulation.
Using a mixture of reconstructed tableaux, models, traditional museum displays and computer interactives, the museum interprets both the building and the history of the castle as a whole. On part of the ground floor there is a reconstructed Georgian barrack room to give an impression of how the building would have been used originally, while the rest of the museum interprets the history of the castle from its origins up until the Second World War.
The castle contains a number of museums, including:
Maritime Museum - Located in the Upper Barracks building, this tells the story of Guernsey's relationship with the sea and also includes a gallery of marine art. The museum also features a display about the Gallo-Roman wreck recovered from the nearby harbour mouth in 1985.
The Story of Castle Cornet - Located in the lower barracks building, these displays opened in 1997. They interpret the history of Castle Cornet, using a variety of reconstructions, replicas, models and original artefacts. Information Technology is also used to interpret the origin of the rock upon which the castle is built, browse an interactive guide to the castle or a database of castle illustrations. There is also an audio presentation about the great explosion of 1672, which destroyed much of the early castle
201 Squadron RAF (Guernsey's Own) Museum - Currently the only RAF unit to retain such an affiliation, 201 Squadron's links with Guernsey date back to the 1930's, when their Southampton-based flying boats came on training flights and good-will visits. The museum is our most recent development in the castle and was opened on 12th July 2001 by Her Majesty the Queen.
Militia Museum - This is really two related museums on different floors of the castle's hospital building, though only one is currently open. The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum is on the ground floor and tells the story of Guernseymen who fought in the Great War. It is a completely new display which opened to the public for the first time on 11 July 2009. The upper floor displays, telling the story of the Royal Guernsey Militia which existed prior to WW1, are scheduled for completion in 2010. Anyone wishing to view Militia items from the collection during the museum's closure for the purposes of research, or to view items relating to their family not on display in the RGLI Museum, should contact the Social History Officer to arrange access.
Hatton Gallery - a spacious gallery in the Upper Barracks building, housing portraits of local relevance. The gallery is not normally open to the public, except for specific advertised events. As a space, it can be booked for corporate and private functions; please contact the museum office for further details.
Castle Cornet also has a museum shop located in the old guard house and a refectory - Café Lambert - (in the Upper Barracks building) serving light meals and refreshments.
Castle Cornet and its museums are accredited visitor attractions in both Guernsey and UK schemes
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Open during the period March 26 - October 31, daily 10.00-17.00 hr. (16:00 to April 4)
Please note: the castle and its museums close at 4 p.m. in the first week of the season:
The Story of Castle Cornet
201 Squadron RAF Museum
Maritime Museum
R.G.L.I. Museum
Admission Charges:
| Adult |
£8.00 |
| Senior Citizen |
£6.00 |
| Child |
£1.50 |
Explanatory notes:
Senior Citizens – Over 65s.
Family is 2 Adults & any accompanying children
Children aged 7 and over and students in full time education with student flash card (available from Guernsey schools) or student card (overseas or UK) are charged at same rate.
Children under 7 years – free.
We do not admit unaccompanied children under 12 years.
Schools: Channel Islands Schools and Youth Groups (booked in advance) Free Entry
Holiday Passes valid for 7 days. Details...
Heritage Season Ticket valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Details...
Senior Plus HST is for 2 seniors plus accompanying children. Details...
Group bookings (consisting of at least 10 people) 10% discount if booked in advanced.
Private Castle Tour - pre-booked for maximum 30 people – additional £35.00
Address:
Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery
Candie Gardens
St Peter Port
Guernsey GY1 1UG
Channel Islands