Location: Perranuthnoe, Penzance, Cornwall Map
Acton Castle sits perched on a cliffside overlooking Mount’s Bay,
a sweeping expanse of coastline stretching from the Lizard Peninsula
to Penzance in southwest Cornwall. Positioned at approximately
50.104°N latitude and 5.445°W longitude, it lies just west of the
village of Perranuthnoe, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) east of
Penzance and 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Marazion, home of St.
Michael’s Mount. The castle’s elevated site, roughly 100–150 feet
(30–46 meters) above sea level, commands panoramic views across the
bay—west to Newlyn and Mousehole, east to Cudden Point, and south
toward the horizon, where the Isles of Scilly shimmer on clear days,
25 miles (40 kilometers) distant.
The surrounding landscape
is part of Cornwall’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
characterized by rugged cliffs, rocky coves like Stackhouse Cove
below the castle, and rolling fields inland. The South West Coast
Path runs adjacent to the property, weaving through this dramatic
terrain, with the castle’s granite silhouette standing as a landmark
against the sea’s restless backdrop. Its isolation—accessed via a
narrow, unmade private lane off the A394—enhances its serene, almost
timeless quality, a stark contrast to the bustling tourist hubs of
St. Ives or Penzance.
Acton Castle was built around 1775 (some sources suggest 1790) by
John Stackhouse, a distinguished botanist with a passion for marine
algae and classical plant studies inspired by Theophrastus. Born in 1742
to a modest Cornish family, Stackhouse inherited wealth through his
marriage to Susanna Acton, heiress of Edward Acton of Acton Scott,
Shropshire—hence the castle’s name. A gentleman scholar rather than a
nobleman, Stackhouse sought a retreat to pursue his groundbreaking
research on seaweed, which culminated in his illustrated work Nereis
Britannica (1797–1801). He commissioned the castle’s design from John
Wood the Younger, fresh from his triumph with Bath’s Royal Crescent,
blending neoclassical elegance with a castellated aesthetic suited to
Cornwall’s wild coast.
Stackhouse’s residency was intermittent,
as he split time between Acton and his Pendarves estate near Camborne.
This infrequent presence allowed his tenant, John Carter—a notorious
smuggler dubbed the “King of Prussia” for his audacity—to exploit the
castle and nearby Stackhouse Cove as a base for illicit activities in
the late 18th century. Carter, who rented an adjoining farm, is said to
have hidden contraband and even his fugitive brother Harry within the
castle’s walls, with local legends whispering of tunnels linking it to
the cove below (though none have been found). The Stackhouses sold the
property shortly before John’s death in 1819 to Bulkeley Mackworth
Praed, a naval officer who had served as Nelson’s navigator at the
Battle of the Nile (1798) and retired as Vice-Admiral of the White in
1837. Praed lived out his later years there, drawn to its maritime
vistas.
In the mid-19th century, the castle passed to the Lanyon
family, remaining with them until the late 1800s. By the early 20th
century, it was converted into a country hotel, capitalizing on
Cornwall’s growing tourism appeal, with two wings added to expand
capacity. The hotel operated with mixed success through much of the 20th
century, closing in the 1980s due to declining business. In the late
20th century, it was redeveloped into seven luxury apartments, a status
it retains today under private ownership, with some units available as
holiday lets.
Acton Castle is a compact, three-story castellated mansion, its
design a fusion of Georgian elegance and romantic Gothic revivalism.
Constructed primarily from local granite—a rugged, grey stone quarried
from Cornwall’s cliffs—its facade and chimneys feature finely dressed
granite blocks, lending a polished contrast to the rougher walls. The
original structure, built in 1775, was a rectangular tower approximately
40 by 30 feet (12 by 9 meters), with a grouted slate roof and embattled
parapets crowning the walls, evoking a medieval fortress scaled for a
gentleman’s retreat rather than defense.
Central Tower: The core
of the castle, likely designed by John Wood the Younger, features tall,
narrow windows typical of Georgian architecture, with some sources
suggesting sash designs, though modifications have altered their
original form. The interior originally housed Stackhouse’s living
quarters, study, and possibly a small laboratory for his seaweed
research, though these spaces have been reconfigured into modern
apartments.
Wings: In the early 20th century, during its hotel
conversion, two-story wings were added to the north and south, each with
tripartite windows—three panes grouped under a single lintel—doubling
the building’s footprint to about 60 by 40 feet (18 by 12 meters). These
wings, also granite-faced, blend seamlessly with the original tower,
their flat roofs hidden behind parapets.
Details: The castle’s
battlements, though decorative, echo Cornwall’s coastal forts, while its
chimneys—tall and cylindrical—add verticality. Stackhouse’s botanical
pursuits are subtly commemorated in the cove below, where remnants of
stone tanks for holding seaweed specimens are still visible, though not
part of the main structure.
The castle lacks extensive
fortifications—no moat, gatehouse, or thick defensive walls—reflecting
its purpose as a scholarly residence rather than a military outpost. Its
cliffside perch, however, offers natural seclusion, with steep drops to
Stackhouse Cove reinforcing its isolated charm.
As of 2025, Acton Castle is a privately owned residential complex,
comprising seven exclusive apartments, four of which are available as
holiday lets through agencies like Forever Cornwall and Beach Retreats.
It is not open to the general public as a historic site, limiting access
to renters or residents, though its exterior can be admired from the
South West Coast Path, a short walk from the castle’s garden stile.
Located at Rosudgeon, Penzance, TR20 9AF, it’s a 15-minute drive from
Penzance via the A394, with a narrow, unmade lane leading to a private
car park for tenants.
The castle’s exterior remains largely
intact, its granite walls weathered to a soft patina, with the
20th-century wings blending into the original tower. The roof and
parapets are maintained, and modern windows replace some originals,
though the castellated silhouette endures. The sunken formal
gardens—shared by residents but with private sections for each
apartment—feature subtropical plantings (palms, agaves) and an
ornamental fish pond, a nod to Stackhouse’s botanical legacy. The
garden’s cliff-edge seats offer breathtaking views of Mount’s Bay, St.
Michael’s Mount, and the Lizard Peninsula, especially at sunset.
Holiday lets like “The Tower” (sleeping 8) or “North Wing” (sleeping 4)
range from £1,000–£2,000 per week, offering open-plan living spaces,
modern kitchens, and sea-view terraces, blending historical ambiance
with luxury. Visitors praise the “mesmerizing” vistas and peaceful
isolation, though the unfenced pond and steep lane pose minor caveats.
The castle’s private status means no formal tours or facilities
exist—exploration is limited to renters or coastal path walkers peering
from afar.
Acton Castle holds a niche but notable place in Cornish history and
architecture. As John Stackhouse’s retreat, it represents an early
intersection of science and leisure, its construction tied to his
pioneering seaweed studies that advanced botanical knowledge. Its design
by John Wood the Younger links it to Georgian architectural trends, a
rare Cornish echo of Bath’s neoclassical grandeur. The smuggling tales
of John Carter, the “King of Prussia,” add a layer of folklore, tying it
to Cornwall’s pirate past, while its naval residency under Bulkeley
Mackworth Praed connects it to Britain’s maritime heritage.
As a
Grade II* listed building, recognized by Historic England for its
special architectural and historical interest, Acton Castle embodies
Cornwall’s transition from rugged isolation to a tourism-driven
identity. Its conversion into apartments preserves its structure while
adapting it to modern use, a quiet monument to both scholarly ambition
and coastal romance.
Acton Castle is a small mansion in Perranuthnoe, Cornwall region of United Kingdom. It was constructed in 1775 by Mr. John Stackhouse of Pendarves. He became famous as a distinguished botanist by publishing illustrated work known as Nereis Britannica in 1797. His studied in Stackhouse Cove underneath Acton Castle. In the 20th century Acton Castle was increased with addition of two storey wings. Acton Castle is allegedly haunted by a former lady of the castle. During her life time she had installed an electric buzzer in the early 20th century. After she died the buzzer was removed. However many visitors of Acton Castle claimed to have heard the sound of the electric buzzer. Among these visitors was a priest who spent a night in the former bedroom of the lady of the castle. He claimed that he couldn't sleep hearing buzzer go on and off during the night. Eventually he was forced to leave the room.