Cornet Rock or Castle Rock is a small subsidiary island of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel off the Normandy coast that is part of the Guernsey Bailiwick, a British Crown Dependency.
The former tidal island was first fortified with a castle between 1206 and 1256 during the course of the division of the Duchy of Normandy in 1204. In 1338 the island was besieged and conquered by a French force, and the English garrison was massacred. .
Between 1545 and 1548 the castle complex was reinforced. In his book The Building of Castle Cornet, John Le Patourel writes that in 1566 a quarry at 'Creavissham' (ie Crevichon, a small island off Jethou) provided material for the castle.
On December 29, 1672, the main keep of the castle was struck by lightning. The residence of the Governor, Lord Hatton, was destroyed along with the medieval Great Hall and chapel. They were never rebuilt. Lord Hatton survived but his wife, his mother and five other people died. After this accident, no Governor returned to live in the Castle.
Cornet Rock was connected to mainland Guernsey by a breakwater in 1859 after the Napoleonic Wars. A model yacht pond was built on the breakwater in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's jubilee, and was used as a seaplane base during the First World War.
During the German occupation of the Channel Islands, the castle was known as Stuzpunkt Hafenschloss (Strongpoint Harbor Castle). During World War II it housed anti-aircraft (anti-aircraft) units of the Luftwaffe. Many modifications were made to the castle during this period, as the defenses once again had to be upgraded for modern warfare. Many structures from this period can still be seen, including staff shelters and gun emplacements.
Cornet Rock is located in the south-east of the artificial harbor of Saint Peter Port in Guernsey and belongs to the parish of the same name (parish) Saint Peter Port. The island (far north) has been connected to the mainland of Guernsey by the 500 meter long Castle Pier since 1859 and today marks the south-eastern point of the extended port facilities of Saint Peter Port. Almost like an extension of the pier, Castle Breakwater stretches another 150 meters to the east. Castle Pier and Castle Breakwater form the southern boundary of Saint Peter Port.
Most of the island area is dominated by the Castle Cornet grounds, which include the following facilities:
- The story of castle Cornet
- Maritime Museum
- 201 Squadron RAF Museum
- Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum
- Royal Guernsey Military Museum
There is also a restaurant. Outdoor theatrical performances take place in summer.
The former tidal island was first fortified with a castle between 1206 and 1256 during the course of the division of the Duchy of Normandy in 1204. In 1338 the island was besieged and conquered by a French force, and the English garrison was massacred. .
Between 1545 and 1548 the castle complex was reinforced. In his book The Building of Castle Cornet, John Le Patourel writes that in 1566 a quarry at 'Creavissham' (ie Crevichon, a small island off Jethou) provided material for the castle.
On December 29, 1672, the main keep of the castle was struck by lightning. The residence of the Governor, Lord Hatton, was destroyed along with the medieval Great Hall and chapel. They were never rebuilt. Lord Hatton survived but his wife, his mother and five other people died. After this accident, no Governor returned to live in the Castle.
Cornet Rock was connected to mainland Guernsey by a breakwater in 1859 after the Napoleonic Wars. A model yacht pond was built on the breakwater in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's jubilee, and was used as a seaplane base during the First World War.
During the German occupation of the Channel Islands, the castle was known as Stuzpunkt Hafenschloss (Strongpoint Harbor Castle). During World War II it housed anti-aircraft (anti-aircraft) units of the Luftwaffe. Many modifications were made to the castle during this period, as the defenses once again had to be upgraded for modern warfare. Many structures from this period can still be seen, including staff shelters and gun emplacements.
Cornet Rock is located in the south-east of the artificial harbor of Saint Peter Port in Guernsey and belongs to the parish of the same name (parish) Saint Peter Port. The island (far north) has been connected to the mainland of Guernsey by the 500 meter long Castle Pier since 1859 and today marks the south-eastern point of the extended port facilities of Saint Peter Port. Almost like an extension of the pier, Castle Breakwater stretches another 150 meters to the east. Castle Pier and Castle Breakwater form the southern boundary of Saint Peter Port.
Most of the island area is dominated by the Castle Cornet grounds, which include the following facilities:
- The story of castle Cornet
- Maritime Museum
- 201 Squadron RAF Museum
- Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum
- Royal Guernsey Military Museum
There is also a restaurant. Outdoor theatrical performances take place in summer.
