Restormel Castle is situated 1-mile north from the small town of Lostwithiel, Cornwall. If approaching Lostwithiel from the south on the A390, at the Best Western Hotel on Edgcumbe Road, continue north on Queen Street and then left on Restormel Road. The castle is at the end of Restormel Road.

The magnificent remains of this Motte and Bailey castle originally built during the Norman period sits high above the valley, overlooking the River Fowey.

During the 13th century the castle was rebuilt by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall. Edmund (who was the son of Richard Plantagenet) was born on the 26th of December 1249. He restored the castle as a grand residence for himself — he replaced the original wooden structure with stone. He also had over 300 deer in a deer park surrounding his land.

The appearance of Restormel Castle differs to the many castles of England: its circular structure resembles an amphitheatre. Unfortunately the moat which would have surrounded Restormel Castle has long since dried up but you can clearly see that this moat was like no other. Restormel Castle was protected by a 17-metre moat that surrounded the castle. The castle side of the moat was steepened to deter attacks from any army that dared to breech its walls. To enter the castle, you would have crossed the moat via a drawbridge. Historians believe there is evidence to support a second drawbridge. Look carefully at the entrance to the Gate Tower, you can still see masonry work from a very early phase of the castles structure.

There are several hotels in Lostwithiel including the Royal Oak Restaurant and Hotel, the Lostwithiel Hotel and Golf Country Club, the Penrose Bed and Breakfast, and the Lostwithiel Best Western Hotel.