Tintagel has been on my bucket list for ten years. Believed to be the birthplace of King Arthur, the legends surrounding Tintagel have made it a popular tourist attraction since the 20th century. There’s nothing like castle ruins on the edge of a rugged cliff and waterfalls plunging into sea below, to convince you something magical must have happened on that very spot.
I finally visited this year and it was as spectacular as I expected it to be–even in the rain with the wind whipping my hair in my face–I didn’t care. I loved Tintagel: the remote location adds to the mystery and romance.
Tintagel Castle is located in Northern Cornwall, a maritime peninsula in the Atlantic Zone, Tintagel is very remote, the only way to get there is to drive.
Tintagel. Yes the water really does look like this.
The landscape is a rugged headland covered in ruins dating back to the 5th century though evidence of habitation during the late Roman period has been found. It was a thriving community and a vital economic center of Britain for centuries but was abandoned until the 1200s.
The castle ruins are from the 13th century. It was likely built by Richard Earl of Cornwall, a brother of Henry III known for building castles around Britain. It’s a small castle and archaeologists believe it was built more as a statement than as a defensive structure probably inspired by the Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, written by Geoffrey of Monmouth.
The castle entrance after you cross the bridge.
The ruins are scattered across the headlands and include the remains of the castle walls, a grand hall, and terraces, plus a church, gardens, storage areas, and a graveyard that was excavated. There’s also a life size bronze sculpture named King Galloss. When I read about the sculpture on the English Heritage website I felt it seemed a bit corny but it isn’t at all. It’s quite an evocative sculpture.
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Tintagel captures the imagination. It’s a wild place and very exposed to the elements. Why did people live there? Who were they? The archaeological evidence suggests that there was an elite community that lived there and shards of imported pottery and glass from the Mediterranean have been uncovered. Tin mining was also big, and brought more wealth to the area. Whatever the reason, Tintagel is very atmospheric and worth a visit.
Aside from the ruins, a cool feature of Tintagel is that you can hike down to a sandy cove and waterfall. I didn’t do that because the weather was total crap the day I was there, but many people did it anyway.
View through an opening in the castle wall
Connecting the headlands and the mainland, the awesome sky bridge is a great place for views and photo ops. It’s an incredible piece of engineering. Before I saw it IRL I thought I might experience vertigo, but it wasn’t scary at all. I took loads of photos there.
Now that I’ve visited Tintagel I wish I could go back and do a few things differently. In this article, I will share with you my top tips for visiting Tintagel so that you can make the most of your experience there.
Contents
Book a ticket
It’s best to book your ticket in advance. You will need a ticket with a timed entrance to cross the bridge to the headlands. You also get a discount on the English Heritage Trust website. It is possible to visit without an advance ticket, however you are not guaranteed entrance. Once you’re there you can stay as long as you like.
How long should you plan to visit Tintagel?
As I mentioned above, Tintagel is a gorgeous site for hiking. To see all of the excavations, take photos, hike to the cove, and relax a bit, I recommend you plan to spend the day there. You could also have a picnic or you can purchase food at a cafe on site. No matter how much time you have, just go. The website says that the last visit of the day is two hours before it closes. It also says that the last booking of the day is the least busy time for entry. I’m not sure if that’s true. If I had it to do again I’d go first thing in the morning.
exterior post office
Tintagel Village
Tintagel Village is a hamlet, small and very touristy, with many shops selling crystals and things related to the legends of King Arthur and Merlin. Originally known as Trevena, the population declined when the castle was abandoned. There is one place worth seeing there, the Old Post Office–it dates from 1380. There are a few pubs and cafes too, and we did stop for tea while waiting for our timed entrance.
When is the best time to go?
The weather in Cornwall is unpredictable. Summer is probably the best chance of good weather but there are no guarantees. It will also be more crowded in the summer. But if you wait for good weather you may not ever go. If you’re planning a trip to England then you should go to Tintagel if you have enough time.
Try to avoid going on a bank holiday, a school holiday, or any other holiday. I made that mistake but I couldn’t help it, it was when I was there. I don’t regret it but I would love to go back when there are fewer people. Still, there are places to get away from people and find some space on your own. I’d probably try to go back in late summer after the kids are back in school.
All bundled up at Tintagel.
What should you wear?
The most important piece of gear you will need for a good experience at Tintagel are comfortable shoes, preferably a hiking shoe or boots. I wore a New Balance trainer with a good cushioned sole and grip. The weather is variable and if it rains the rocks can be slippery.
Take a small bag or backpack for any extras like a water bottle, camera lenses, lunch if you’re bringing that, and possibly an extra jacket or sweater. Don’t bother with an umbrella because it’s so windy it’s pretty much useless.
I wore two layers that included a Merino wool sweater, a windbreaker with a hood, plus a knit hat that covered my ears. It was chilly, windy, and it rained while I was there, but I was comfortable. Comfort is key. Hopefully, it will be sunny when you visit.
Getting to Tintagel
You can only arrive at Tintagel by car or by a tour bus. I recommend that you hire a driver or take a tour unless you have experience driving on the left hand side of the road. As an American, that skill is not in my wheelhouse. A friend who lives in the area took me there. Also worth mentioning, the roads are very narrow and again, if you don’t have experience driving on narrow country roads, hire a driver. If you are going to drive, continue to read the section about parking.
Where is Cornwall
Cornwall is a peninsula in southwest England. To arrive in Cornwall from London you could drive which I would probably take a full day depending on how many hours you drive. Or you could take the train from London to Exeter and pick up a car in Exeter. You could probably pick up a tour guide in Exeter too as it’s one of the larger cities in Devon, a county adjacent to Cornwall. From Exeter you’re only about an hour and thirty minutes from Tintagel but it could take longer. Cornwall is beautiful as is Devon, so the drive is very scenic.
Parking
Parking is tricky, especially later in the day. Arrive at least thirty minutes before your entry time. There are several car parks in Tintagel village. Pay to get a ticket which you display on the dash of your car. Of course, you can go with a tour group too. I saw a lot of tour buses.
Tintagel is romantic, otherworldly, and yes, a bit touristy. It’s also one of the most important historical sites in Britain and ranks among the most popular. Was King Arthur born at Tintagel Castle? Go and decide for yourself.
Have you been to Tintagel? Let me know about your experience in the comments.
