| Star Castle | |
| Type: | Fortress |
| Map Relief: | yes |
| Coordinates: | 49.9154°N -6.3211°W |
| Location: | St Mary's, Isles of Scilly |
| Built: | 1593 |
| Architect: | Robert Adams |
| Architecture: | Military architecture |
| Governing Body: | Privately owned |
| Designation1: | Grade I |
| Designation1 Offname: | Star Castle Hotel |
| Designation1 Date: | 12 February 1975 |
| Designation1 Number: | 1291756 |
| Designation2: | Grade I listed building |
| Designation2 Offname: | Bastions and Walls of Star Castle |
| Designation2 Date: | 12 February 1975 |
| Designation2 Number: | 1141188 |
| Designation3: | Grade I listed building |
| Designation3 Offname: | Powder Magazine and Blast Walls |
| Designation3 Date: | 14 December 1982 |
| Designation3 Number: | 1141187 |
| Designation4: | Grade I listed building |
| Designation4 Offname: | Outer Walls and Gateway |
| Designation4 Date: | 14 December 1982 |
| Designation4 Number: | 1291751 |
| Designation5: | Grade II* listed building |
| Designation5 Offname: | Gatehouse Cottage |
| Designation5 Date: | 12 February 1975 |
| Designation5 Number: | 1218853 |
Star Castle is a fortress on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, built in 1593 by Robert Adams, Surveyor of the Royal Works (d.1595) and Francis Godolphin, Captain of the Scilly Isles, during the "Spanish invasion scare."
The Star Castle was built in 1593 by the Surveyor of the Royal Works and mapmaker Robert Adams, under the direction of Francis Godolphin, Captain of the Scilly Isles, following the Spanish Armada of 1588.[1] Fearing another Spanish invasion, in May 1593 Queen Elizabeth I ordered the construction of a fort and two sconces as a lookout for any intruder ships.[2] [3]
In 1740 Master Gunner Abraham Tovey transformed the Garrison building walls with gun batteries, including Colonel Boscawen's Battery,[4] in a circular shape following the coast line of The Hoe. In the 18th century it was garrisoned by troops from the Corps of Invalids.
Star Castle is now a hotel.[5]
The Star Castle is in the shape of an eight-pointed star and features on the flag of the Council of the Isles of Scilly. It is at the centre of a fortification system around the west side of St Mary’s known as the Garrison. The walls of the castle take the shape of an eight-pointed star. It comprises an outer wall around the outcrop of Hew Hill, protecting the town and the castle, with strategically placed gun batteries at regular intervals around the outer wall, allowing covering fire at all angles.
Star Castle is a Grade I listed building. Three other structures within the fort complex are listed at Grade I, the highest grade, comprising the totality of the Grade I listed buildings on the Isles of Scilly: the bastions and walls to the castle; the powder magazine, and the Outer Walls.