The finishing touches are being made to a major new exhibition at Pendennis Castle, which opens to the public this weekend.

Fortress Falmouth and the First World War promises to be a eye-opening and immersive experience that will transport visitors back to the very start of the war.

To mark the start of the opening of the exhibition, Pendennis steps back to the outbreak of war over the weekend of July 12. A troop of soldiers will recreate the sights, smells and tastes of life within Fortress Falmouth as they give a unique look at the uniforms, weapons, training, games and food of the day.

The formidable fortress of Pendennis was actually built by Henry VIII to defend the mouth of the Fal estuary in the 16th century, and has guarded the port of Falmouth for over 400 years. Its defences were once again called on at the outbreak of war in 1914 as a Defended Port with the castle used as military headquarters.

Strongpoints, checkpoints and trenches defended the approaches to the town and thousands of troops came for training before going to war in France, Belgium and across the world. At its height at least 7,000 and perhaps as many as 14,000 troops were stationed within the area of Fortress Falmouth.

The exhibition will include new interpretation in the castle’s Royal Artillery barracks, guard room and detention cells to show different sides of life in Fortress Falmouth.

For more information see www.english-heritage.org.uk