I live in Plymouth with my partner and our 3 children
I live in Plymouth with my partner and our 3 children
Member since:05.11.2008
Reviews:6
Tintagel is a small village on the North (West) coast of Cornwall.
It was originally called Trevena until the Post Office established the village as Tintagel in the mid 19th century. Tintagel was already the name of the headland and the parish, and its residents were happy as it gave them additional benefits from the increased numbers of tourists flocking to see the greatest asset Tintagel Castle. So many in fact, that they built a hotel on the edge of the cliffs for the thousands of visitors that they hoped would come when the railway line was opened. In reality this never happened, but it is still a very beautiful location to look out into the ocean and to the castle only a short distance away.
It is a very picturesque village set on the rugged Atlantic coast. There are a number of very old buildings including the post office, but it is the castle that makes the location. It is built in two parts with the outer part being on the headland and the keep etc on what is known as "the Island" which can be accessed using a bridge.
Coastal erosion has had a massive impact on what remains of the castle with parts falling away into the sea, and the gap between the headland and island increasing. Under the island is a cave known as Merlin's which you can walk through from one side to the other. In fact there are a number of caves around the area, but they can be dangerous due to the currents.
The outer area can be reached along coastal paths which are in places fairly steep, and the island can be reached from there or by walking down a very steep path from the village. You can also take a ride on a landrover for 50p a person (each way). Before reaching the island there are toilets, cafe and souvenir shop. To get to the castle involves walking along a wooden set of steps (which also leads to the beach below) and to a small cabin where English Heritage are waiting to charge you in the region of £5 per adult, before walking across the bridge and up another set of exposed steps leading into the inner sanctum.
The castle is set in mystery, and is believed to have been home of Cornish kings, but alas there is no evidence that there was ever a person resembling King Arthur, and the castle we see to day was built after the Norman conquest by one of William The Conqueror's relatives. It is also quite easy to realise that the castle was hardly used as it's exposure to the elements made living on the island during winter months with constant sea spray and wind virtually impossible. So, in reality was used more as a display of wealth and power rather than as having any real military significance.
It is a small village and parking is restricted, but it is definitely a place that I would like to visit again. This is most certainly an area for exploration and you need to be willing to do a lot of walking.
Our journey whilst we are on holiday in Bude led us to travel along the A39, and through the village of Boscastle which again was very scenic and worth a visit. It is quite a windy road, but it is well worth the trip.
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We went last year. While we were there, one family walked all the way down that steep hill to the entrance, then discovered they had to pay to get in and they had no money! So they had to walk all the way back up again to get some! Oops.
Bollinger28 01.11.2009 15:35
We werethere for the afternoon last year, but too lazy to walk to the castle. Mind you I'm rather pleased as I had no idea you had to pay £5 to cross the bridge and I would have hated to walk all that way and then be charged to get in! Lexy
Advantages: Scenery, activities, places, people, lots to do if your willing to travel. Disadvantages: Distances between places, very few "novice" walker places, gets very windy in the winter!
sentientphil 18.06.2009 (18.06.2009)
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Review of Tintagel, Cornwall
Advantages: Scenery, activities, places, people, lots to do if your willing to travel. Disadvantages: Distances between places, very few "novice" walker places, gets very windy in the winter!
sentientphil 18.06.2009 (18.06.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Tintagel, Cornwall
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