TINTAGEL CASTLE
At the lower end of the village you will find a steep track that passes down through the Vale of Avalon to the legendary site that is known world wide as King Arthur’s Castle and at the castles very roots Merlin’s Cave awaits you. The church of St Materiana out on the headland is but a stones throw from the castle and from this point you get a magnificent view of the coast.THE OLD POST OFFICE
Tintagel Old Post Office is a fine example of a medieval building and is located in the heart of the village. It is a time capsule of true historical value and character. The buildings quirky layout makes it a joy to explore. The Old Post Office sits in well maintained gardens and is a must see on a sunny summer day.HALLS OF CHIVALRY
King Arthur’s Great Halls at Tintagel was built by a romantic millionaire in the 1930s at enormous expense. These vast halls tell the story of King Arthur and his knights. Robert Powell narrates the fascinating story utilising laser lights and sound. See the imposing granite throne and the legendary round table whilst marvelling at the world famous stained glass windows. All seventy two of them were designed and built by Veronica Whall, a pupil of William Morris. King Arthur’s Great Halls are also licensed as a wedding venue in Tintagel.CASTLE COVE
The beach at the foot of Castle Island is called Castle Cove. It is a very sheltered cove. The beach is mainly shingle,. There are several caves to be explored when the tide is low. Merlins Cave is located on this beach and if you look carefully you will see a recent carving of His face to the left of the cave entrance. Also, within Merlins cage, there is a smugglers hide away. Can you find it.ROCKY VALLEY & ST NECTANS GLEN (St Knightons Kieve)
St Knightons Keive (St Nectan’s Glen) is said to be the place were men became Knights by passing through the lower circle to be reborn again cleansed in the pool below. The Kieve itself was seen has a potent Pagan symbol of Gaia and has been a place of reverence since before the times of Christ. Trevillet River passes through the Kieve and wends its way down through a beautiful wooded valley before passing the medieval mill and old abandoned buildings along its way to the sea.TINTAGEL
Tintagel Village and Tintagel Castle in North Cornwall Tintagel in North Cornwall is the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. According to legend, The Battle of Camlann, Arthur’s final battle, was fought against Mordred. Mordred was the son of Lot who was the King of the Picts and therefore Mordred was a Pict himself. According to the Annals of Wales, the battle was fought in the year 539 AD, while according to Geoffrey of Monmouth it was fought in 542 AD. King Arthur was fatally wounded.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Click Here to view a discussion of Tintagel Castle’s Arthurian Connections By David Nash Ford Arthur’s Birthplace? Click Here to read about Lundy island, and it’s hitherto hidden past. Lundy, Isle of Avalon by Les Still Click Here for images of the Hunter Aircraft crash at Tintagel in 1979 Tintagel is also the name of a symphonic poem composed by Arnold Bax in 1919; it is perhaps his best- known orchestral work. Bax had visited the castle of Tintagel during the summer of 1917, accompanied by pianist Harriet Cohen, with whom he was carrying on an affair at the time; he dedicated the work to her. He composed two poems on the theme, and the work is, to a certain extent, a sonic illustration of these. According to Bax, the music is meant to depict a castle perched high on the rocks, battered on a sunny summer day by the Atlantic Ocean. A certain Celtic flavor is apparent in the music; this provides the basis for one of the two themes in the work, meant to recall King Arthur and his connection to the castle. The other theme depicts the sea. A typical performance of Tintagel lasts around fifteen minutes. For more in depth info on Tintagel visit this excellent resource. Treknow is a small hamlet approximately 1.5 miles from Tintagel. It is a pretty little settlement that lies in a sheltered dip at the top of Mill hill. From here you get stunning views across Trebarwith valley and Treligga towards Port Isaac.
King Arthur’s Castle. The Hall of Chivalry. The Old Post Office. Bossiney Mound.
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Please take care along our shore, and you will leave here wanting more.
But if the warnings you ignore, then you may get more than you bargained for.
Stay Safe Play Safe
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Tintagel village is located on north Cornwall’s rugged Atlantic coast.
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Merlin Carving at Castle Cove.
Merlins Cave has had a new carving of Merlin
hewn into the cliff face to the left of the
entrance. Also within Merlins cave can be found
a hideaway if you know where to look.
Peter Graham, a local craftsman, spent three
months over the Winter into 2016 carving the
face directly into the rock. Tintagel Castle has
been part of the legend of King Arthur and
Merlin since the Middle Ages.
The newly carved face of Merlin purports to
reflect this legend. Merlins Cave gets its name
from Victorian poet Alfred Tennyson’s retelling of
the Arthurian legend in which Merlin allegedly
used the cave to carry away the infant Arthur.
.
NEW BRIDGE COMPLETED and opened on the 11th of August 2019.
A new bridge as been constucted to span the gap from the mainland
keep to the island so that folk not so fleeet of foot can access this
magnificent heritage site.
TINTAGEL
In season Tintagel is a bustling hive of activity and as benefited enormously from a facelift. There are many gift shops and fine eating establishments that can be found along the way. At the top of the village you will find the visitors centre. If you arrive at Tintagel from the Trebarwith / Camelford direction the first Arthurian sight that you see has you enter is the Hall of Chivalry, well worth a visit. Turn left here to venture into the heart of the village where ample parking can be found. From here it is a short walk to St Materiana’s, the Norman church that stands proudly on the headland overlooking the castle of King Arthur. Along the main street of Tintagel you will find the Old Post Office located opposite the King Arthur’s arms.
Gallos is a 8ft statue on Tintagel
Island. Created by sculptor Rubin
Enyon, it was installed in April 2016.
In Cornish Gallos means Power
however in spanish it means
Rooster.
A historical image capturing the
construction of the new bridge
about halfway through the project.
Part of a 5 million pound project to
enhance the castles access.