We decided to visit Pendennis Castle in Falmouth yesterday for a change. I hadn't been there since the the early 80's and it's changed quite a lot, with the gun batteries on the headland restored and the garrison barracks renovated as a museum. I quite liked the old fashioned no frills approach to historical sites that English Heritage used to deliver but, in this day and age, I suppose they have to cater to a different audience.
There's an impresssive collection of ordnance along the ramparts and in the fort itself, including a 6'' gun on what would originally have been a disappearing mounting and two 6'' guns in the restored gun battery. The gun rooms in the keep of the fort were also well equipped, with the lower of the two decked out with reproduction cannon and crew, complete with sound effects and gun smoke.
There wasn't much on the Civil War siege, however, which I thought a bit of a shame, although I may have missed that bit as we ran short of time towards the end of the day. It's well worth a visit if you're down that way and the kids had a great time too, thanks to the entertainment laid on by a pirate themed activity that was very well put together.
That is certainly a fine selection of weaponry they have there; great photographs.
ReplyDeleteMy Father is responsible for much of the new look of the place (he works for EH). having seen the hard work that went into the renovation i hope that it didn't ruin the place too much for you. while i tend to agree that the no frills approach works for those of us who know what we are looking at, it isn't very good for the general public.
ReplyDeleteregardless, it is a fine site, and i am pleased to hear you enjoyed it.
Don't get me wrong..it's a very well presented and well thought out site. In fact, it's one of the best EH sites that I've been to, especially for the kids.
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