Pendennis Castle needs you! Families can experience wartime Falmouth and, for the first time, see a historic Spitfire in the castle grounds.

Pendennis at War takes place for two days only, on Wednesday, August 29 and Thursday, August 30.

It’s an event that immerses visitors in a wartime experience and the castle makes it feel even more real.

As the command centre for coastal defences, and a base for training the troops, Pendennis Castle was at the strategic heart of Falmouth’s home front.

Operation Cutlass is a thoroughly convincing wartime experience which puts visitors at the heart of the action. It’s more than an exhibition since visitors of all ages can participate in and experience this historic place and time.

For fans of classic war movies there is explosive theatrical live action and they can join the castle’s special taskforce of commandos in training on a mission behind enemy lines.

With firing weapons, impressive pyrotechnics and a truckload of Hollywood action, this impressively realistic experience may well leave you both shaken and stirred.

Visitors can get close to a Spitfire and take a good look at the iconic aircraft. This aircraft is as well loved as it was once feared.

Big guns are also on show. There are explosive arena displays and big gun firings that demonstrate the power of the weapons and the intricacies of the tactics which put the ‘great’ into Great Britain.

The re-enactment of part of the legendary Dam Busters operation is complete with bouncing bomb, a potted history of D-Day, and a chance to discover the greatest operation known as the greatest raid of all within British military circles, the Raid on St Nazaire. This was the successful British amphibious attack on the heavily defended Normandie dry dock at St Nazaire in German-occupied France during the Second World War. A destroyer crossed the Channel with smaller craft and was rammed into the Normandie dock gates. It had been packed with explosives, which when detonated, put the strategically important dock out of service for the rest of the war.

Younger visitors can command a flotilla of model raiding boats and make the dramatic events unfold for themselves.

Pendennis at War also celebrates the best of the home front spirit with traditional games, 1940s music and the chance to jitterbug with dance maestros Mad about Swing.

“Seeing a Spitfire in the grounds of Pendennis is going to be amazing!” said property manager Wendy Amer. “Pendennis Castle was a key part of the war effort, and this special event recreates the best of British wartime spirit – celebrating the triumph in the face of adversity and exploring the challenges of defending the castle and country throughout the war.”

Entrance to the castle and grounds is included in the ticket price of £34.85 for families, £13.40 for adults, and £8.05 for children.