A Guide to Tintagel

There are few places more perfect for a scenic, laid-back and relaxing holiday than Cornwall – and personally, I think the village of Tintagel particularly stands out. Perched on the stunning north Cornwall coast, it’s home to a famous castle steeped in legend and plenty more besides.

So, today I’m going to introduce you to this exciting place and tell you all about some of the best things to see and do while you’re there. Before I do, though, I’d just like to recommend hiring a holiday cottage for your trip rather than staying in a hotel. This is simply because cottages – examples of which you can see on this website – allow you to stay in the heart of the Cornish scenery, not mention the fact that they’re a real home from home.

But before I digress into talking about the practicalities of your trip, let’s turn our attention back to Tintagel itself.

Tintagel – the village

Steeped in legend, Tintagel village is often said to be one of the most romantic places in the UK. Its spectacular coastline location, heritage buildings and mystical vibe make it an absolute must-visit – even if you only come here for a day trip.

The most famous thing about it is linked to Tintagel Castle, which is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur – but I’ll talk more about that in a moment. This legend has been around for approximately 800 years and it’s easy to see how ingrained it’s become in local culture. For instance, there are lots of shops selling all kinds of King Arthur-themed souvenirs, including crystal balls, rune stones and more.

Tintagel Castle

The star attraction here is Tintagel Castle, which is on Tintagel Island. Now, while it’s called an island it’s actually not – it’s joined to the north Cornwall coast by a narrow strip of land. There’s not much of this 13th-century castle left these days, but what is still standing is absolutely awe-inspiring – and to find out more about its history you can watch a short video called ‘Searching for King Arthur’ when you arrive.

Just as spectacular as the looming castle ruins themselves is the views you get from them. You need to walk up roughly 100 stone steps to reach the castle, as well as go for walks across the headland, but you’ll be greeted with absolutely mind-blowing views once you do so. As a word of warning, the walk does run along cliff tops, so it’s important to be careful – and that you have a head for heights!

Walks

Like much of the Cornwall coastline, Tintagel is an amazing place for walking. If you fancy following a particularly scenic route – and who wouldn’t? – the King Arthur and the Slate Coast Walk is an excellent choice.

It spans 5 miles and will take you around some of the village’s most scenic spots, including Tintagel Church, along the cliffs around the village and along the coast. You’ll then head down to the cove of Trebarwith Strand before walking along a pretty route back to the village itself – expect to see some lovely views of the castle along the way.

Of course, the castle itself has exceptional grounds and strolling along the headlands here – without a clear route in mind – makes for just as exciting a walk as any you’ll find on established routes.