Planning a go to to Cornwall, UK? Ensure you add Tintagel Citadel and Merlin’s cave to your itinerary- you gained’t remorse it. Right here’s every little thing you must know to plan your go to.
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 Citadel and Merlin’s Cave
There may be some (okay, so much) of debate on whether or not or not King Arthur and Merlin actually existed, and whether or not Tintagel Citadel is Camelot- house of King Arthur and the Knights of the Spherical Desk. It’s typically accepted that it’s not (because of pesky issues like dates and historic accuracy) however the legends persist.
Even higher, on the backside of the cliffs on which Tintagel Citadel stands is a cave- which subsequently HAS to be Merlin’s Cave (there’s even an image of him carved in to the rock!)
Whether or not you consider the myths and legend or not, it’s an exquisite place so as to add to your Cornwall Street journey itinerary (together with these 40 different greatest locations to go to in Cornwall!) Our daughter cherished it, at the same time as a young person.
Right here’s every little thing you must know that can assist you plan your go to to Tintagel Citadel and Merlin’s Cave!
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Need to see what Tintagel Citadel and Merlin’s Cave is REALLY like?
Watch the video under and expertise Tintagel Citadel and Merlin’s cave up shut (together with some unbelievable drone pictures.)
NOTE: This video was filmed in 2018- earlier than the brand new bridge was completed.
Tintagel Citadel Cornwall
Whether or not you consider the legend or not, an actual fortress stood on this hilltop- and the ruins are nonetheless open to be explored right this moment, because of English Heritage. You don’t have to be a member of English Heritage to go to, however members get decreased costs.
Should you’re not already a member and are planning some UK highway journeys, you may wish to join- there are such a lot of unbelievable locations to find, together with locations like Stonehenge.
You may be a part of English Heritage on arrival, or upfront right here
The place is Tintagel, King Arthur’s Citadel situated?
Tintagel is a small city on the northern coast of Cornwall, England. Tintagel Citadel is true on the outskirts of this city.
What’s Tintagel Citadel well-known for?
The Citadel is among the most spectacular fortress ruins in Britain- primarily because of it’s imposing views and in addition because of being constructed on a small island (which you used to need to stroll up, however is now related by a protracted bridge)
There are many ruins to discover, together with previous doorways, partitions, battlements and an unbelievable statue of a historic Knight.
Tintagel Citadel 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 evening in our motorhome at King Arthur’s automotive park in Tintagel village itself, after a stunning day spent at Boscastle.
There are a great deal of automotive parks on this one small city and almost all of them permit in a single day motorhome parking for a small charge. It’s not attainable to ebook upfront. We selected to cease at King Arthur’s automotive park as a result of it was the flattest one which had tarmac (usually we wild camp with our motorhome, typically on grass, nevertheless it had rained a lot and we didn’t wish to get caught within the mud!)
The automotive park value £4 for twenty-four hours – which was fairly good for a serious vacationer attraction! It’s a standard automotive park although, so don’t count on any providers/ water/electrical/ bathroom/ waste emptying.
How a lot does it value to go to Tintagel Citadel?
From our parking in Tintagel, we may stroll to the English Heritage workplace in lower than 5 minutes (that’s earlier than the LONG stroll all the way down to the ruins themselves.)
Worth for non-members was £9.30 with present support (in 2018). Verify the opening instances on their web site as they shut over the winter apart from weekends. Canines are allowed however MUST be stored on leads. Please keep in mind the climb is VERY steep, so it’s not appropriate for younger canine, or some other canine with strolling difficulties. Identical applies to people.
There’s a land rover service which runs throughout holidays- we have been very grateful for this on the way in which again! I believe it was £2 per individual per journey.
Are you able to go to Tintagel fortress with out paying?
Yep, you’ll be able to, though not up shut. The encompassing land is free to stroll on, so head to the coast path and also you’ll have the ability to see the island and even Merlin’s cave clearly (on a sunny day) however not a lot of the ruins.
Alternatively, you should utilize your journey drone and take it out over the sea- be certain to not get too shut or break any drone flying legal guidelines.
Are there bogs at Tintagel Citadel?
On the backside (earlier than the climb as much as the fortress), there’s a bit of store, cafe & bogs (together with disabled and baby-changing amenities). Use these- there are NO bogs or amenities up at Tintagel Citadel.
How lengthy is the stroll as much as Tintagel, King Arthur’s Citadel?
We climbed as much as Tintagel Citadel ruins- very VERY steep steps and we have been all exhausted after we obtained to the highest. There is just one means up and down so there was a number of stopping and beginning because the steps are very steep and slender. Did I point out they have 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 folks hand over and switch again. Sadly, as a result of it’s an historic fortress constructed onto a hill, there isn’t any different approach to stand up there!! However the views are positively price it when you’re up.
Tintagel Citadel 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- decreasing 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 all the way down to Merlin’s Cave or the seaside, the one means is the steep steep stairs.
There’s a 40mm hole between the 2 sides of the bridge- so maybe you may choose the steps for those who’re fearful of heights!! (Though throughout world pandemics, they’ve arrange a one-way system, so that you don’t get a alternative!) They do have ideas for wheelchair customers/ these with restricted mobility to go on the finish of the day to allow them to return through the bridge, however everybody else wants to arrange for stairs)
King Arthur Statue at Tintagel Citadel
Ensure you go to go to the Knight of Tintagel Citadel. He’s proper on the cliff edge- about one other 20-minute stroll from the highest of the stairs- nevertheless it’s a incredible sculpture and nicely price 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’ll be able to see the format of the fortress actually clearly on our drone pictures within the video.
What about food and drinks at Tintagel Citadel?
As soon as on the island, there are not any amenities 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 will 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 for those who’re fortunate like we have been and go on a sunny day- the views are breathtaking.
Merlin’s Cave Cornwall
If you’re on the fortress, be sure you go to the seaside and take a look at Merlin’s Cave,
To do that, you’ll have to examine the tide instances on the workplace and both go earlier than or after your journey to the Citadel.
As caves go it’s fairly impressive- you might see the sunshine from the opposite aspect and the waves have been crashing in. Jade determined she simply HAD to go stand on the rocks in the course of the cave, which have been nonetheless surrounded by water! Test it out within the video above.
Merlin’s Cave Tide Occasions
As you’ll be able to see within the video under, 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 for those who’re not used to English tides. They arrive in loopy quick from BOTH sides of the cave and the currents might be very robust.
The English Heritage Ticket workplace can inform you the tide instances for that day and when it’s secure to discover Merlin’s Cave- we have 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 if you go to Tintagel
Camelot Citadel Lodge
We love travelling by Motorhome (listed here are 20 the explanation why!) however sometimes we discover a lodge which is so cool we wish to ditch the van and keep there for an evening.
One such place is the Camelot Citadel lodge, which overlooks the fortress and people unbelievable sea views. Should you’re fortunate sufficient, attempt to seize a sea-view room, though any of them are price it.
Different nice locations in Tintagel embrace:
So, is Tintagel Citadel and Merlin’s Cave price a go to?
Merlin’s cave was positively our favorite a part of the day, though the drone pictures of Tintagel Citadel 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 could be don’t even trouble visiting if it’s a wet day- the views simply gained’t be the identical. Fog could be enjoyable though- very atmospheric!
Have you ever ever been to Tintagel Citadel? Would you want to go to? Be happy to pin these to your England Journey board to avoid wasting for later:
