About Tintagel

Set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, Tintagel has dramatic sea views both from the castle ruins on the headland and island. This is a spectacular place, steeped in myths and mystery, and has inspired artists and writers throughout history who have associated it with the legend of King Arthur.

Tintagel is situated on the North coast of Cornwall and is renowned for its association with the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The magic of the association is captured particularly by the castle, King Arthur's Castle, which is reached by steps leading from the main land. Originally the Castle was attached to the main land but by erosion over the years a bridge had to be built. It is a hard climb to the top but well worth it. The Castle is maintained by English Heritage. There are many beaches in the area, for surfers Trebarwith and Bossiney are the main attractions, but the Castle Beach is renowned as a very safe bathing beach. For the visitor to Tintagel there are many attractions to see in the village apart from the cliffs area. Nearby are the lovely villages of Boscastle and Delabole, the town of Camelford and the pretty fishing village of Port Isaac

Tintagel is set in the centre of a rugged and romantic coastline, is the Mecca of every traveller who wanders into the West. The legendary connection with the life of the mystic King Arthur, is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the attraction the village exerts. Yet the group of old and modern houses on the bare upland half a mile inland, the isolated church, and the gigantic headlands with their majestic cliffs falling steeply to the never-ending roar of the Atlantic breakers, hold in themselves the mysterious charm of Cornwall, old and new. Its bleakness and its humanity, its openness and its ancient scenery. The castle ruins which tradition has associated with King Arthur and his Knights, awaken the enthusiasm of sightseers from the world over, but what binds them to Tintagel is the spirit of Cornwall which the place expresses. And if they are very modern and not open to that spirit there is so much for them to love. Words taken from the 1950’s Official Souvenir Guide 'Tintagel and Boscastle. North Cornwall' by the late Ronald Youlton, an excellent photographer and a good friend of mine