A visit to Tintagel Castle is a very unique and engrossing experience. It is not difficult to become caught up in the mystique that shrouds its past

Tintagel Castle is set on a dramatic and picturesque headland that is virtually an island, connected to the mainland by a slim finger of land. Over the centuries much of the castle has fallen into the sea and very little remains today.

The castle was not inhabited for very long, and by the 14th century was in poor repair with the Great Hall being apparently roofless. By 1483 the Chapel of St Julitte was still in use, but the remainder of the castle had long since fallen into ruin. Consequently, the castle remains are sparse, but the inner ward does contain the most substantial surviving masonry. The Great Hall stands to a reasonable height and the castellated North wall makes a striking backdrop set against a rugged coastline.

Although little is known about the history of the recent castle, Tintagel Castle is most famous for its association with legendary British King, Arthur. The site is known to have been occupied by the Romans for tin mining, but it is as a Royal stronghold of the Cornish Kings during the 5th & 6th centuries that the legend takes hold.

In the 12th century, Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about 'the palace that belonged to the Duke of Cornwall whose wife, Igerna, one day aroused the passions of King Uther Pendragon. A dispute ensued over his unwanted attentions, and Uther laid siege to the palace. Unable to breach its walls Uther, assisted by the magician Merlin entered the castle unnoticed to seduce Igerna. The son borne of this night was to be the young King Arthur '.

Whatever the truth, it is reasonable to assume that this area was the stronghold of past Cornish Kings simply by the fact that Richard, Earl of Cornwall built the ‘modern’ castle here around 1233/4. There was no military or strategic benefit in building a castle there, so we must assume it was done out of the desire to build a castle on the site where his legendary ancestors had held court.

A visit to Tintagel Castle is a very unique and engrossing experience. It is not difficult to become caught up in the mystique that shrouds its past.

Tintagel is quite difficult to navigate with its endless, steep steps and its rough pathways, but the fascination it holds is definitely worth the physical effort.

Tourist Information

1 Apr-30 Sep   10am-6pm   Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.

1-31 Oct   10am-5pm   Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.

1 Nov-31 Mar   10am-4pm   Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.

24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed

Admisssion Prices

Adult:£4.30 Children:£2.20 Concession:£3.20