Tintagel

For once, a place to visit with plenty of car parks! Easy and quick to get to, just follow the road signs from the lodge. Over the years it seems to attract more and more shops selling ‘mystic’ stuff, so you won’t be disappointed with the offering of skulls, dragons, crystals and semi-precious gems.

Nor fudge or ice cream come to that. But it is OK, plenty of cream tea offerings too. Don’t bother with the Arthurian Centre, but pasties from the Pengenna Pasty Shop – watch them being made – are recommended. You have to see the old post office of course but most important is the ruined castle itself.

Do pop into the Tourist Office as it has a pretty good permanent exhibition relating to Tintagel and the local area – historical peoples & faiths, industry and geology.

UPDATE End August 2019
Tintagel was heaving, never seen it so busy. Maybe because the new bridge is now open?

You have to book online for a slot to visit the castle, whether an English Heritage member or not (but no charge for members). I asked a guide what the half-hour slots capacity was – he said 400 people, which gives some idea how popular the site is.

The new bridge is excellent though, of stainless steel and cornish Delabole slate construction. A great improvement to the old single person width wooden steps up the cliffside (but it is still in use if you want to go old-school).