Planning a go to to Cornwall, UK? Be sure to add Tintagel Fort and Merlin’s cave to your itinerary- you gained’t remorse it. Right here’s every little thing it is advisable to know to plan your go to.
*We work onerous to make this one of the best motorhome journey weblog and highway journey web site doable, stuffed with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so if you happen to purchase by means of hyperlinks on this web site we might earn a commission- at no additional price to you. All opinions stay our personal.
In the event you discover this publish helpful, you may additionally deal with us to a espresso – we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)
Ever heard of King Arthur? The wizard Merlin? Knights of the Spherical Desk?
Simply the names alone conjure up photographs of battles & wizards & males in armour rescuing damsels in misery.
Tintagel Fort and Merlin’s Cave
There may be some (okay, quite a bit) of debate on whether or not or not King Arthur and Merlin actually existed, and whether or not Tintagel Fort is Camelot- house of King Arthur and the Knights of the Spherical Desk. It’s usually accepted that it’s not (as a result of pesky issues like dates and historic accuracy) however the legends persist.
Even higher, on the backside of the cliffs on which Tintagel Fort stands is a cave- which due to this fact HAS to be Merlin’s Cave (there’s even an image of him carved in to the rock!)
Whether or not you imagine the myths and legend or not, it’s a beautiful place so as to add to your Cornwall Highway journey itinerary (together with these 40 different greatest locations to go to in Cornwall!) Our daughter beloved it, whilst a young person.
Right here’s every little thing it is advisable to know that can assist you plan your go to to Tintagel Fort and Merlin’s Cave!
Need to see what Tintagel Fort and Merlin’s Cave is REALLY like?
Watch the video beneath and expertise Tintagel Fort and Merlin’s cave up shut (together with some unbelievable drone photographs.)
NOTE: This video was filmed in 2018- earlier than the brand new bridge was completed.
Tintagel Fort Cornwall
Whether or not you imagine the legend or not, an actual fortress stood on this hilltop- and the ruins are nonetheless open to be explored as we speak, because of English Heritage. You don’t have to be a member of English Heritage to go to, however members get decreased costs.
In the event you’re not already a member and are planning some UK highway journeys, you may need to join- there are such a lot of unbelievable locations to find, together with locations like Stonehenge.
You possibly can be part of English Heritage on arrival, or upfront right here
The place is Tintagel, King Arthur’s Fort positioned?
Tintagel is a small city on the northern coast of Cornwall, England. Tintagel Fort is correct on the outskirts of this city.
What’s Tintagel Fort well-known for?
The Fort is among the most spectacular fortress ruins in Britain- primarily as a result of it’s imposing views and in addition as a result of being constructed on a small island (which you used to should stroll up, however is now related by an extended bridge)
There are many ruins to discover, together with previous doorways, partitions, battlements and an unbelievable statue of a historic Knight.
Tintagel Fort Parking
Parking in Tintagel is fairly good so long as you get there early or go to outdoors of the varsity holidays.
We spent the night time in our motorhome at King Arthur’s automobile park in Tintagel village itself, after a stunning day spent at Boscastle.
There are a great deal of automobile parks on this one small city and almost all of them enable in a single day motorhome parking for a small charge. It’s not doable to e-book upfront. We selected to cease at King Arthur’s automobile park as a result of it was the flattest one which had tarmac (usually we wild camp with our motorhome, usually on grass, nevertheless it had rained a lot and we didn’t need to get caught within the mud!)
The automobile park price £4 for twenty-four hours – which was fairly good for a significant vacationer attraction! It’s a standard automobile park although, so don’t count on any providers/ water/electrical/ rest room/ waste emptying.
How a lot does it price to go to Tintagel Fort?
From our parking in Tintagel, we might stroll to the English Heritage workplace in lower than 5 minutes (that’s earlier than the LONG stroll right down to the ruins themselves.)
Worth for non-members was £9.30 with reward support (in 2018). Verify the opening occasions on their web site as they shut over the winter aside from weekends. Canine are allowed however MUST be stored on leads. Please bear in mind the climb is VERY steep, so it’s not appropriate for younger canine, or every other canine with strolling difficulties. Similar applies to people.
There’s a land rover service which runs throughout holidays- we had been very grateful for this on the best way again! I feel it was £2 per individual per journey.
Are you able to go to Tintagel fortress with out paying?
Yep, you may, though not up shut. The encompassing land is free to stroll on, so head to the coast path and also you’ll be capable of see the island and even Merlin’s cave clearly (on a sunny day) however not a lot of the ruins.
Alternatively, you need to use your journey drone and take it out over the sea- ensure to not get too shut or break any drone flying legal guidelines.
Are there bathrooms at Tintagel Fort?
On the backside (earlier than the climb as much as the fortress), there’s somewhat store, cafe & bathrooms (together with disabled and baby-changing services). Use these- there are NO bathrooms or services up at Tintagel Fort.
How lengthy is the stroll as much as Tintagel, King Arthur’s Fort?
We climbed as much as Tintagel Fort ruins- very VERY steep steps and we had been all exhausted after we obtained to the highest. There is just one manner up and down so there was a lot of stopping and beginning because the steps are very steep and slim. Did I point out they had been steep??
It most likely takes round 20 minutes of continuous climbing from the cafe on the backside to the ruins on the prime. The extra aged or much less match may actually struggle- we noticed a number of individuals quit and switch again. Sadly, as a result of it’s an historic fortress constructed onto a hill, there is no such thing as a different strategy to rise up there!! However the views are undoubtedly value it when you’re up.
Tintagel Fort Bridge?
Since our final go to in 2018, a brand new 70m bridge has been constructed throughout to the island the place the fortress ruins stand.
Apparently, there was within the Center Ages, so English Heritage has rebuilt it- lowering the necessity to climb 100+ steps! Don’t neglect although, that the bridge solely goes to the highest of the island. If you wish to go right down to Merlin’s Cave or the seashore, the one manner is the steep steep stairs.
There’s a 40mm hole between the 2 sides of the bridge- so maybe you may favor the steps if you happen to’re petrified of heights!! (Though throughout international pandemics, they’ve arrange a one-way system, so that you don’t get a selection!) They do have recommendations for wheelchair customers/ these with restricted mobility to go on the finish of the day to allow them to return by way of the bridge, however everybody else wants to arrange for stairs)
King Arthur Statue at Tintagel Fort
Be sure to go to go to the Knight of Tintagel Fort. He’s proper on the cliff edge- about one other 20-minute stroll from the highest of the stairs- nevertheless it’s a implausible sculpture and effectively value a photograph.
There may be additionally an previous retailer which the inhabitants of the fortress would have used to maintain meals fresh- it’s solely a tunnel now however cool to see and stroll by means of it.
Aside from that, there are a load of stone partitions. They don’t actually make a lot sense on the bottom however you may see the format of the fortress actually clearly on our drone photographs within the video.
What about foods and drinks at Tintagel Fort?
As soon as on the island, there are not any services in any respect.
Many individuals select to take a picnic up with them, and truthfully, that’s most likely a good suggestion. We didn’t even take a bottle of water, which was a mistake.
Simply keep in mind that you’ll want to hold every little thing up all these steps with you… and convey all of it again down once more as there are not any bins up on the fortress. Nonetheless, it’s a stunning place to cease for lunch- particularly if you happen to’re fortunate like we had been and go on a sunny day- the views are breathtaking.
Merlin’s Cave Cornwall
While you’re on the fortress, ensure you go to the seashore and take a look at Merlin’s Cave,
To do that, you’ll must verify the tide occasions on the workplace and both go earlier than or after your journey to the Fort.
As caves go it’s fairly impressive- you may see the sunshine from the opposite aspect and the waves had been crashing in. Jade determined she simply HAD to go stand on the rocks in the midst of the cave, which had been nonetheless surrounded by water! Test it out within the video above.
Merlin’s Cave Tide Instances
As you may see within the video beneath, the bay on the base of the hill is beautiful- the ocean is evident and such a stunning turquoise color. Merlin’s Cave is on this bay- however please be cautious of the tides, particularly if you happen to’re not used to English tides. They arrive in loopy quick from BOTH sides of the cave and the currents will be very robust.
The English Heritage Ticket workplace can let you know the tide occasions for that day and when it’s protected to discover Merlin’s Cave- we had been fortunate that it was excessive tide after we arrived so it was going out all morning, leaving us time to discover Merlin’s Cave for a couple of hours!
The place to remain once you go to Tintagel
Camelot Fort Lodge
We love travelling by Motorhome (listed below are 20 the reason why!) however sometimes we discover a resort which is so cool we need to ditch the van and keep there for an evening.
One such place is the Camelot Fort resort, which overlooks the fortress and people unbelievable sea views. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient, attempt to seize a sea-view room, though any of them are value it.
Different nice locations in Tintagel embrace:
So, is Tintagel Fort and Merlin’s Cave value a go to?
Merlin’s cave was undoubtedly our favorite a part of the day, though the drone photographs of Tintagel Fort are fairly particular too. After we’d cheated and paid for the landrover to take us again up the hill to the doorway (don’t choose till you’ve been!) we spent a while exploring the gorgeous village of Tintagel.
Our recommendation can be don’t even trouble visiting if it’s a wet day- the views simply gained’t be the identical. Fog may be enjoyable though- very atmospheric!
Have you ever ever been to Tintagel Fort? Would you want to go to? Be at liberty to pin these to your England Journey board to save lots of for later:
