Inside Castle Cornet: An 800 Year Old Castle Part II

Hello again lovely readers. As promised here is the second part of my visit to Castle Cornet. If you have not seen the first one just click on the hyperlink. Anyway without further ado, let's pick up where we left off.

3. Saluting Battery

The 16th Century curtain wall was broadened in the 19th century to build the Saluting Battery. The cast-iron Saker cannons that are here now are just mere replicas, as the Germans had removed the original during the Second World War. There are 7 of them overlooking St. Peter Port harbour and they are used to fire salutes on special Occasions like the Queen's birthday each year and now for her passing.

4. Tower Bastion

The Tower Bastion is a projecting gun battery built on 1570 to help protect the castle. It overlooks Guernsey and the approaches to the castle gate. It is on the right hand side of the castle just next to the Saluting Battery.

In the Tower Bastion, you can also find a German Gun Position c.1942. It is named after a girl named, Else. If you go inside you would see a picturesque view of St. Peter Port. It makes you feel like it is more of a leisurely place to watch the world go by, rather than a strategic war location.

5. West Bastion

Moving forward we walked towards the West Bastion which is another projecting gun battery built on 1570 for defensive purposes. It provided a good vantage point from which the western side of the castle can be protected from attacks.

It also somehow has a tiny little green house with tomatoes and flowers on the inside.

6. Gunner's Tower

This round tower has projected corbel stones around the top which would have originally supported a parapet.

Inside it were remains of two gun ports for cannons. Andrea and I had a look. It was so dark so we needed two phone torches to see what's inside. The photos are down below.

7. Mewtis Bulwark

An artillery platform dating from 1535 on the site of a 13th century tower. The cannon here protected the landward or western side of the castle.

You can find a German personnel shelter here called by a German girl name, Ursel.

8. Site of Donjon

The donjon or keep was a large circular tower at the heart of the castle c.1210. It was totally destroyed in 1672 when a lightning strike triggered an explosion of the gun powder stored there.

The force of the blast was so strong it destroyed the buildings of the inner ward of the castle. These included the Medieval Great Hall, the chapel, and the domestic quarters of Lord Hatton, the then governor of Guernsey. 7 people were killed including Lord Hatton's wife and his mother.

9. Chamberlayne's Mount

Guess what guys? More cannons! This is a mid-16th century artillery platform overlooking the town. The present guns here date from the early 19th century.

There is a late 19th century gun position here, as well as a German gun position from 1942. There are also benches for tourist and visitors to sit in to view the sea.

Need I say, the view from here is stunning. You can see the lighthouse from here.

Sorry guys, I have to cut this tour short again. I tried to fuse everything in this article but I am afraid the massiveness of the castle warrants a part III. If I missed out some information despite this, apologies. But I must say, I took notes to make this quite a detailed and organised tour for you. Thank you so much for sticking around up to this point as your trusty tour guide takes another break. I understand that if I continue babbling now, I will sure lose your attention so please come back again for more. Cheers! And thank you for reading!