TINTAGEL CASTLE - ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT IN CORNWALL, ENGLAND
If I had to make a list of the most beautiful places in the UK, Tintagel Castle would certainly be at the top of the list, along with all Cornwall area, which is, from my point of view, the most beautiful part of the entire United Kingdom, that still does not have the popularity of other European destinations and is not so touristy, at least for now.
On this peninsula, in the Roman period, a small village was located, later, in the medieval era, a castle was built, and nowadays it represents a tourist attraction where the ruins of both the village and the castle can be visited.
Tintagel Peninsula changed its shape over the hundreds of years, with the landscape changing due to external factors, especially sea water. Instead of the suspended metal bridge, which connects the two parts of the castle, in the past it was a natural passage, which collapsed.
In 2015, English Heritage, the site's management organization, invested £ 4 million in the construction of the suspension bridge, which in my opinion makes a relatively simple location, which does not have such a fascinating history, one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Great Britain. This bridge really gives the salt and pepper to a location, which otherwise would have been a bit bland, although what is related to nature is absolutely superb.
VISITING TINTAGEL CASTLE
As I said above, the location is managed by English Heritage and if you are a member (to become a member you must purchase an annual subscription, which costs just over £40 and offers free access to all English Heritage locations), you do not pay an entrance fee. If you are not a member, the ticket price is £ 16.30.
A free option to visit this location, although it does not involve visiting the ruins themselves, is if you choose to walk on the path to the right of the ticket office. It is considered a public path and is free. You can admire the castle on the beach and the Merlin cave, if there is low tide. During high tide, the beach disappears, and the cave is flooded with water.
After crossing the suspension bridge, I also found the door with the view to the ocean, which made me put this place on the list to visit. Beyond the walls, you have the impression that you are stepping into another world. I have no words to express how much I liked this frame, as if cut out of story books.
Whether you choose the free option or the one that involves visiting the ruins, book a few hours to visit this location and why not, bring snacks and drinks for a picnic and enjoy a picnic on the green grass with a special view, if weather permitting, of course😊. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and the sea water has a different colour in Cornwall, compared to the rest of England.
Before planning a trip here, you need to make sure that the location is open, because in winter, if the weather is bad, especially strong wind, it is not open. Besides, I wouldn't recommend a visit there in winter, precisely because of the weather. You have many chances to not enjoy the location, if the weather is bad. Updated information about the castle, find here. Tickets can be booked here.
HOW DO YOU GET TO TINTAGEL CASTLE?
If you are coming from outside the UK, the nearest airports are in Oxford and London, which are about 3-5 hours from Cornwall, this location being quite far from any of the big cities in the country. So, the most convenient thing is to rent a car, especially if we take into account that there are many other absolutely beautiful locations, where there is no public transportation (I make this recommendation on the premise that you do not come especially to visit just a castle ☺️). If, however, only the public transport option is possible, to Tintagel, the village where the castle with the same name is located, there are buses that run regularly.
If you don't drive, but want to visit several locations in Cornwall and Devon and live in or pass through London, you can opt for a 5-day trip. I leave a link for reservations. There is also the possibility of an organized excursion departing from Glastobury or Bristol (4 days, visiting several locations).
Once you arrive in the village with vacation vibe, there are few accommodation options, campsites, pubs, restaurants, pastries with traditional local products, but also enough parking spaces.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS OF TINTAGEL CASTLE
The Tintagel area has been inhabited since Roman times, when a prosperous community of those times settled here, having as main object of activity the trade with the Mediterranean countries, here being discovered different pots specific to those countries.
Hundreds of years later, in 1233, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, exchanged some property for land on the north coast of Cornwall, where he built Tintagel Castle. Richard also gave credence to the legend of King Arhur, who is believed to have been conceived in the cave of Merlin. Related to Tintagel is one of the most famous love stories, that of Tristan and Isolde.
Currently, the location is owned by Prince Charles, managed by English Heritage.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN THE AREA OF TINTAGEL
Besides visiting the castle, in Tintagel there are other tourist attractions and I would say there are enough if you want to spend a day or even a weekend in the area: St Materiana's church, Barras Nose and the old post office.
If you like walking, then you should not miss a walk on the coast, there are several trails you can do, the most famous and spectacular being Glebe Cliff, with views of the peninsula on which the castle was built.
A little further, but in the same region, worth visiting:
North Tintagel Boulders coastal path;
Padstow: Guided RIB Sealife Safari, details here;
Boscastle - a small fishing village;
Pentargon Waterfall. In this area you can also do a hiking trail, which starts from Boscastle Harbor and continues 1.7 miles to the waterfall;
Trebarwith Beach, located two miles south of Tintagel. It is a spectacular beach, with fine sand and high rocks;
Port Isaac, is a small fishing village, which became famous with the filming of the Saving Grace series in this location;
Guided boat tour in search of seals, details here;
Doyden Castle;
Polzeath Beach;
Roch Beach;
Harlyn Beach;
Bedruthan Steps - one of the most beautiful beaches in England, seen by me;
Eden Project, a gorgeous botanical garden, tickets here;
St Nectan's Waterfall;
Newquay;
WHERE TO STAY IN TINTAGEL OR NEAR BY:
There are a few accommodation units in Tintagel, but being such a small town and so frequented by tourists, they tend to sold up quickly. I will leave you the ones that I consider the most interesting in Tintagel and some a little further from the town:
Beach Hut, which is apartment-style accommodation, where you have a kitchen, garden, private parking and wi-fi. It is located in Tintagel;
Orchard Lodge it is a house that can be fully reserved and has a capacity of 10 people. It has a garden, barbecue, private parking and wi-fi. It is located in Boscastle;
1 Jubilee Cottage it is a house that can be booked entirely and has a capacity of 6 people. It has a garden, barbecue, accepts pets and has parking included in the price of the reservation. It is located in Tintagel;
Bosayne Guest House is an accommodation unit, with double, twin or single rooms, located near the sea. Parking is included in the price of the reservation;
CONCLUSION ABOUT TINTAGEL CASTLE:
As a personal conclusion, Tintagel was one of the destinations I did not want to miss in Cornwall. Somehow, I had much higher expectations. I had seen photos with the famous open door, overlooking the sea and I expected it to be something more left of the castle, not just a few walls. However, it is a destination worth visiting, the whole area is absolutely gorgeous, and the bridge that connects the two areas of the castle makes the location worth putting on the itinerary. You should only be lucky to have beautiful weather because the nature is gorgeous.
Visiting this tourist attraction, and especially the whole Cornwall area, made me see England with different eyes and make me want to visit many other wonderful places in this country. It can also be a perfect location for your summer vacation, especially if you want to escape the heat specific to southern Europe.
Other locations in England that I have visited and about which you can find out more information to inspire you for your holidays: Durdle Door, Howard Castle (Christmas destination), Holy Island and the disappearing road, Stonehenge, Bath or Bibury.
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