On the north coast of Cornwall, a few miles outside of the bustling estuary town of Padstow, you will find the historic village of Tintagel. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, spending the day exploring this headland is well worth the trip. Some would have heard of Tintagel as the site of the legendary King Arthur’s Castle. Known as the place where myth meets history, it’s a site of significance for Cornwall, and England as a whole. That’s why we’ve put together the perfect itinerary for you and the family to explore to your heart’s content while you’re here.
King Arthur’s Castle
The cliffs of Tintagel play host to the ruins of this once bustling trading site, the evidence of which can still be seen to this day, with archeologists uncovering evidence of such relations with the Mediterranean world. The history of Tintagel Castle is forever intertwined with the mythological tales of King Arthur. Geoffrey of Monmouth puts pen to paper and writes his History of the Kings of Britain, which is where the tale of King Arthur is born. From this day, the myths and legends of King Arthur and the knights of the round table will always be known to this part of the world. Spend the morning exploring these remarkable ruins and immerse yourself in the Arthurian legends that have enamoured this headland for centuries.
Tintagel Bridge
In August of 2019, for the first time in over 500 years, the two halves of Tintagel Castle were once again reunited via an engineering marvel. The new footbridge spans a 190-foot gorge, over the ocean below, connecting the once lost 13th-century gatehouse on the mainland with the courtyard on the island. Enjoy the daring expanse below as you make your way across the bridge to begin your adventures.
Merlin’s Cave and Tintagel Beach
Located deep below the castle that sits above is a 330-foot-long sea cave formed by marine erosion. Legend has it that Merlin, the wizard of Arthurian legend, lived here. Even without such tales, this geological cavern is extremely impressive. When the tide’s low, you can explore this sandy-floored cave to its full extent, and imagine the spells that Merlin cast when confined here. Merlin’s Cave can be found on Tintagel beach, which is accessible via a precarious staircase, so be careful and keep your footing. It can only be visited at low tide, so be sure to check the timetables and ask the information centre for the best times to visit.
Afternoon tea at Camelot Castle
Exploring myths and legends of King Arthur, Camelot and Merlin is sure to work up an appetite. With this in mind, your next stop should be an afternoon tea fit for a king at Camelot Castle Hotel. Proudly situated on the headland overlooking Tintagel bridge and the island beyond, Camelot Castle Hotel has some of the most impressive views across the headland and the Atlantic Ocean. Our booking system is quick and easy, which you can do online via our easy to use form.
This unique site has outstanding views which you can enjoy in comfort, resting and recuperating after a morning filled with adventure. Our afternoon tea contains a selection of delicious finger sandwiches, our speciality Russian honey cake, brownies, beautifully made macaroons, cupcakes, traditional Cornish scones with Cornish strawberry preserve and Cornish Clotted Cream. You can choose from a wide variety of teas, or you can dine in style and opt for our Prosecco Afternoon Tea. We believe that visiting Tintagel and our stunning surroundings is something worth celebrating, so now that you have found yourself at a castle over 120 years old, made for royalty, you might as well dine like them too. That’s why we have our Royal Afternoon Tea, which consists of all of the above, with the addition of our exquisite Salmon Caviar, paired with a glass of our pink Champagne made from Dom Pérignon grapes. Explore our Afternoon Tea at Camelot Castle menu here and book your table today.
Coastal ramblings
Either side of Camelot Castle Hotel you’ll find miles upon miles of coastal walks. This is a perfect time to walk off your afternoon tea, as the sun begins to set and you step out into the expanse of the wild Cornish coastline. The stunning backdrop that we are fortunate to have makes for an evening walk you won’t forget in a hurry. As you exit our hotel, to your right you can wander up the headland towards St Materiana’s Church, an 11th-century parish church overlooking the island below. If you walk to the left, you can explore the coastal path in a nice loop before reaching Bossiney Cove and Benoath Cove, where a little path will take you back up to the main village.
Sleep like royalty
At the end of such an exciting day, why not book a room fit for royalty here at Camelot Castle Hotel? Our rooms are adorned with unique four-poster beds, high ceilings, exquisite furniture and views that look out over the rugged cliffs below and the ocean beyond. Regardless of the day, these views are quite remarkable, and nothing beats watching the sun set over the ocean from the comfort of your room, the exhilaration of the day rolling off you as you sit back, relax and have a restful night's sleep. Falling asleep and waking to the sounds of the ocean is an experience everyone must enjoy, so why not do so under the roof of this historic castle?
Afternoon tea at Camelot Castle is a great way to relax, unwind and dine overlooking one of the most historical landmarks in the UK. After a morning of travelling through the tales of old, our team at Camelot Castle are ready to welcome you to our home. We look forward to seeing you.