The mythical home of King Arthur (Tintagel Castle)

Member Name: wxcat

Product:	Tintagel Castle
Date:	31/08/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful location, Great myths for kids

Disadvantages: Not much of a castle

Tintagel Castle is situated on the coast of North Cornwall just outside the medieval village of Tintagel, north of Padstow and south of Bude. It was supposed to be the mythical home of King Arthur. Theres plenty of parking in Tintagel village for the castle priced at £2 for all day. The price of entry into Tintagel Castle is £4.90 for adults, £2.50 for children. Free for English Heritage members and corporate members and their families. On reflection I would have been a bit annoyed to have to have paid £10 for the two of us to get in, as to be honest calling it a castle is a bit steep.

The main part of the castle is built on the top of an outcrop of rock, now only attached the mainland by a small slip of rock. To gain access you need to cross a wooden bridge and climb up steep stone steps, these wouldn't be great for small children nor when raining as you can't fit two people up/down at any one time. Once you get up top of the cliffs you are treated with alot of ruins and low walls which they try and work out what they once were, but they're not sure at all what most of them were! There are some amazing views and the cliff sides are steep with no guardrails to stop you falling off the edges. But otherwise it's pretty disappointing and not much or any of a castle.
There is a visitor centre at the bottom with a shop selling all the usual English Heritage stuff, which I must say is improving over the last few years from when I was a child. There is also a very modern cafe and restaurant selling good quality food and drink and good size indoor seating area, and some outside seats for when it's less windy.
There is also a land rover service for those who want a lift back up to the village for those who don't want to walk back up.

Summary: Beautiful location, but don't expect a castle.