Exploring Tintagel Castle

One of the area's most famous attractions, Tintagel Castle is a fantastic place to spend a few hours exploring, soaking up the views and pretending to be King Arthur.

The path to the Tintagel Castle is just a 10-15 minute walk from The Old Borough House, or there are car parks in the centre of Tintagel (from £1.80 for 2 hours parking). Follow the track down the hill (wear shoes that are strapped to your feet for this excursion!) or alternatively pay £2 for a ride in a Landrover all the way to the Castle entrance. 

Once you're there, purchase a ticket (find the latest ticket prices online) and head up the steps to explore the ruins. Dating back to the Roman times, the ruins tell the tales of a busy and thriving community, used in the Dark Ages as a trading port. In fact, more examples of Mediterranean pottery and glass were found in Tintagel than anywhere else in Britain. 

In the 1100s, Geoffrey of Monmouth published a book claiming that Tintagel was King Arthur's birthplace and the site gained more importance in the history books. Then in the 1200s, Tintagel Castle was built by the Earl of Cornwall, Richard (the brother of Henry III). The ruins now paint a picture of a colourful past and are fantastic to explore whether you are old or young!

Pack a picnic to have up on the cliffs, or inside one of the Dark Age ruins - and don't forget to take a breather every now and then to soak up the views! You can even take a dip in the sheltered cove beneath the ruins.

Remember to save enough energy to get back up the hill to Tintagel village... where Cornish pasties and cream teas await you! 

Tickets to Tintagel Castle are free for English Heritage members, and vary for non-members. For the latest ticket prices, visit the website.