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. 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 - Telling the story of the Royal Guernsey Militia (later the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry) this museum houses many regimental relics. It is currently closed, ahead of a refurbishment which seeks to incorporate many items from the unique Spencer Collection of Channel Islands military uniform, buttons and badges. 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, 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 (in the Upper Barracks building) serving light meals and refreshments.

The castle opens during the period April - October, daily 10:00 - 17:00 hr. The museums have staggered opening hours during the day, for full details and admission charges click here.