iKnow Cornwall
Tintagel Accommodation
The Old Post Office, Tintagel
Views off the Tintagel Coast
Tintagel Castle Remains North Cornwall Coast
Tintagel Castle Walls
Stunning Views of Tintagel Castle, Steeped in King Arthur Legend - spook
Tintagel for Families, Great Family Pubs & King Arthur's Great HallsTintagel Tourist Information Castle King Arthur Legend Cornwall
The three villages of Tintagel, Boscastle and Crackington Haven (the latter is known for it's great surfing beach) are conveniently close together, but all quite distinctive in their flavour. Tintagel of the three has a more 'holiday' feel, with perhaps a bit of a kitsch edge with it's focus on the King Arthur legend and the favourite for kids, the King Arthur's Great Halls medieval attraction. Not for the diehard historians perhaps, but families on short breaks and holiday makers love the Tintagel area!
Tintagel proudly proclaims it is the birthplace of King Arthur, and Tintagel pays due homage, although some say it's gone King Arthur crazy. King Arthur's Great Halls attraction is well worth a visit for a family outing especially, with it's laser light show and storytelling approach to the King Arthur Legend, emphasis on the legend! The highlight of Tintagel however has to be it's idyllic castle, situated on a small island just off shore. Unmissable is Tintagel Castle, as is this stretch of wild North Cornwall coastline. Hook into the South West Coast Path and explore the many unspoilt beaches and steep cliffs - magic!
Tintagel Beaches
Just outside of Tintagel is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the area, Trebarwith Strand. Trebarwith beach sits at the bottom of a deep valley, and you'll have to negotiate with a few rocks before reaching the sandy beach. Well worth the effort, for glorious views of this heritage coast. The tides need watching here also as the beach is only really accessible at low tide.
Popular with both surfers (recommended intermediate and experienced, not beginners!) and families, Trebarwith beach has ample facilities including car park, and cafe, toilets and a pub up on the backed on cliffs. You'll find a few caves in these cliffs as well. Expect memorable views, with mammoth Gull Rock offshore. Tebarwith beach also benefits from full lifeguard service in peak season from 21st May to 25th September. Watch out for the flag warnings, and for this beach with it's tides and many rocks it's well worth checking beforehand the conditions. To find Trebarwith Beach take the B3263 to Tintagel, and about a mile before you reach Tintagel, turn left and follow the road down the valley to Trebarwith Strand which is clearly marked.
Crackington Haven beach, and indeed Crackington Haven village is conveniently close to Tintagel and well worth a day out. It's a superb family beach, scenic with cliffs backing onto it there are plenty of rock pools to be had on Crackington Haven Beach, plus good surfing too! Walking along the stretch of the South West Coast Path here is also highly recommended. To the south you can move walk over glorious National Trust own land upto High Cliffs where superb views are waiting, on a good day all the way across to Lundy Island! Crackington Haven Beach has ample facilities for families including car park, toilets, cafe, high standards of cleanliness and beach shops.
Tintagel Visitors Centre, Bossiney Road Car Park, Tintagel.Cornwall, PL34 0AJ. Tel: 01840 779084.
Tintagel Castle
Tintagel's 13th Century castle is one of the most celebrated castles in the country, not just for it's sublime position facing the Atlantic full on, and on an island, but also for the interesting Arthurian legend built around it. Tintagel Castle is joined to the mainland by a very thin strip or neck of land, and it's links with the King Arthur Legend can be dated even before the 13th Century. The motivation of Tintagel Castle's builder, Earl Reginald of Cornwall was no doubt influenced by a desire to indulge the legend. Still, some interesting artefacts continue to emerge for the Dark Ages site excavations in the area, particularly the so called 'Arthur Stone' found in 1998 with the Latin 'Artognov' inscribed on it! If it isn't Arthur, it's certainly a wealthy noble by that name who frequented the area. All interesting stuff.
Tintagel Castle was abandoned in the later 13th century, but there are many remains to view at this spectacular island location. Stone steps and the remains of the walls of the Great Hall, right on the cliff edge can be seen, and you can view a video 'Searching for King Arthur' exploring the castle's links to the legend. Much excavation work has been going on around the castle, and 6th and 7th century pottery has been found, as well as the renowned 'Arthurian Stone' with inscription! There's a new shop near the castle, with little visitor centre offering introductory guided tours.
Visitors to the castle should be aware that it is accessed via 100 quite steep steps, and that the surface once on the island is uneven, with grass, gravel, cobbles and flagstone surfaces. If you don't fancy making the trip over you can always catch spectacular views of Tintagel Castle from Glebe Cliffs. Parking is in the village, and a convenient Landrover services is offered to transport those with mobility issues to the castle. Opening times from April to September are 10am to 6pm daily, and in October 10am to 5pm, whilst from November to March the castle is open from 10am to 4pm daily. Closed over the xmas period. Check the English Heritage weblink to the right for further details.
Tintagel Castle, Cornwall. PL34 0HE. Tel: 01840 770328.
King Arthur's Great Halls
Welcome to the land of Arthurian legend here at Tintagel, thought to be the birthplace of King Arthur. It all culminates here at the King Arthur's Great Hall attraction in Tintagel. The key element is a laser show in the Great Hall, adorned with stained glass windows depicting Arthur legend scenes. The kids will love it, with Robert Powell's voice bellowing out the story of the legend, with the light show focusing on the large coloured windows depicting Arthur and his knights. All great fun.
A fair bit of kitsch legend indulging going on here perhaps, with the attraction originating in the 1930s from a philanthropist grocer made good, pouring millions into what appears to be his fascination with the King Arthur Legend. Check out his 'One Man's Dream' leaflet. Proving the point here though, legends can be great fun and there's a great shop on-site for all you King Arthur fans, with everything from King Arthur period jewellery to Sword in the Stone replicas - fantastic!
King Arthur's Great Halls, Fore Street, Tintagel, Cornwall, UK. Tel: 01840 770 526.
Tintagel Historic Attractions
There's a choice of other attractions, notably fascinating historic buildings such as the Old Post Office, to visit in and around Tintagel. This Old Post Office was originally a 14th century manor house before it became a post office. It's owned by the National Trust now, and closed as a working post office in 1872. It's a superb example, and rare indeed, of a Plantaganent Manor House, or 600 year old traditional Longhouse, and well worth a viewing. Inside the Victorian Post Office is preserved, plus pretty cottage gardens surround this historic property.
Another must visit in the Tintagel area is stunning beautiful St Nectans Glen and Waterfall (see weblink to the right). St Nectans Glen is a sublime valley near Tintagel, with an impressive 60 foot waterfall! Walking to the waterfall is to tread in the footsteps of many approaching the Kieve for healing purposes. Therapeutic benefits are still considered to be derived from visiting this sublime valley! The recent flood did do some damage, but footpaths are open again (sturdy footwear recommended). Numerous delightful woodland footpaths criss cross the valley, making this Tintagel natural attraction a perfect outdoor family day out. Take a picnic!
Another popular attraction in Tintagel is the marvellous Pixie House on Sanding Road. It's quite famous this little attraction for it's enormous collection of Pixies! Great fun.
Tintagel Old Post Office, Fore Street, Tintagel, Cornwall PL34 0DB. Tel: 01840 770024. Open March to September from 11.30am to 5pm, and in October from 11.30am to 4pm. It's closed from November to the end of February. Check the National Trust website to the right for full details. St Nectans Glen, Waterfall & Tea Gardens. Opening Times are 7 Days a week, from 10.30a.m. to 6.30p.m. Last admission 6.00 p.m. November to Easter Waterfall open only weekends plus school holidays and public holidays. Also Tea garden closed.
Click Search
