Castle Cornet & Museums

Candie Gardens
St Peter Port
GY1 1UG
Guernsey

Website

www.museum.guernsey.net/castle.htm

Telephone

01481 706969

Fax

01481 715177

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
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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. The castle contains a number of museums. The Maritime museum tells the story of Guernsey's relationship with the sea. It also includes a display about the Gallo-Roman wreck recovered from the nearby harbour mouth in 1985. The Story of Castle Cornet 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. The Militia Museum tells the story of the Royal Guernsey Militia (later the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry) this museum houses many regimental relics. It is due to be redeveloped in 1998 and will incorporate many items from the unique Spencer Collection of Channel Islands military uniform, buttons and badges. Hatton Gallery is a spacious gallery in the Upper Barracks building, housing portraits of local relevance and several historic paintings depicting Castle Cornet.
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.

Venue Type:

Museum

Opening hours

April-October: Daily 10.00-17.00

General services and facilities
  • Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
  • Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
  • Pre-booking service for groups
  • Restaurant
  • Shop
Children and families
  • Events and resources for children and families
Disability access
  • Touch exhibits
Schools services and facilities
  • Direct teaching services for schools
  • Primary school education service available
  • Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
  • Secondary school education service available
  • Education facilities available
  • Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups
Research and adult learning
  • Academic publications and resources available
  • Adult lectures and courses held
  • Loan service
  • Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
  • Research facilities for academics
Commercial and hire services
  • Facilities for private functions and events
  • Meeting room available

Additional info

Castle Cornet also has a museum shop located in the old guard house and a refectory (in the Upper Barracks building) serving light meals and refreshments.

Candie Gardens
St Peter Port
GY1 1UG
Guernsey

Website

www.museum.guernsey.net/castle.htm

Telephone

01481 706969

Fax

01481 715177

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Collection details

Archaeology, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Land Transport, Maritime, Science and Technology, Social History, Weapons and War

Key artists and exhibits

  • Guernsey History
  • Maritime museum
  • Story of Castle Cornet
  • Militia Museum (Royal Guernsey Militia / Royal Guernsey Light Infantry)
  • 201 (Guernsey's Own) Squadron RAF Museum

Collections services

  • General guide to collections available
  • Object identification and/or written enquiry service
  • Specialist publications on collections available
  • Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
  • 201 (Guernsey's Own) Squadron RAF Museum

Candie Gardens
St Peter Port
GY1 1UG
Guernsey

Website

www.museum.guernsey.net/castle.htm

Telephone

01481 706969

Fax

01481 715177

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.

Castle Cornet Easter Festival of Living History

2 — 5 April 2010

A programme of living history events staged each day of the Easter Weekend by Guernsey History in Action Company. See tales from Guernsey's turbulent past re-enacted at the Castle. Additional family activities.

Suitable for

  • Family friendly

When

10am-5pm

Where

Castle Cornet

Admission

Normal Castle admission ticket prices apply, but permits re-admission throughout the weekend

Outdoor Theatre at Castle Cornet

9 June — 22 August 2010

Lord Chamberlains Men present "The Tempest", 9-12 June
Illyria present "James and the Giant Peach", 14-18 July
Oddsocks Present "A Midsummer Nights Dream", 13-22 August
Sponsored by MeesPierson

Suitable for

  • All ages

When

7-10pm

Where

Castle Cornet

Admission

Admission by ticket, ring Information Centre to book 723555

Queens Birthday Salute at the the Castle

12 June 2010

A 21-gun salute will be fired from the castle to mark the Queen's Official Birthday. Entry to the Castle and all other Guernsey Museums & Galleries sites will be free.

Suitable for

  • Family friendly

When

10-10am

Where

Castle Cornet

Admission

Free

KPMG Castle Nights

16 July — 6 August 2010

The Castle is open for free evenings of free music and arts each Friday night over four weeks. Sponsored by KPMG.

Suitable for

  • All ages

When

6-9pm

Where

Castle Cornet

Admission

Free

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