Tintagel Castle
Cliff-top ruins of a medieval castle on Tintagel Island in Cornwall, linked to the legend of King Arthur, with an exhibition and a footbridge.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Tintagel Island on the north Cornish coast was an important settlement long before the present castle. Excavations in 2016 and 2017 uncovered a palace of the 5th or 6th century, and imported Mediterranean pottery and wine show that the site took part in sea trade. It was probably a seasonal residence of the kings of Dumnonia.
The link with King Arthur goes back to the chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth, who around 1135 to 1138 named Tintagel as the place where Arthur was conceived. Historians generally reject any real connection between Arthur and the site. Earl Richard of Cornwall built the medieval castle in the 1230s, partly to tie his name to these legends. The great hall lost its roof in the 1330s, and erosion has since worsened the ruin.
Interest grew in the Victorian period, when Arthurian stories were fashionable. The site belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall and is managed by English Heritage. A steel footbridge opened in 2019 to reconnect the mainland with the island, and a large statue called Gallos stands on the headland. Visitors can also see an exhibition on the history and legends of Tintagel and walk down to the beach, where Merlin's Cave can be explored at low tide.
Highlights
- Cliff-top remains of the medieval castle on Tintagel Island
- Footbridge to the island and views along the coast
- Statue of Gallos, a life-sized kingly figure on the headland
- Exhibition on the history and legends of Tintagel
- Beach below the castle with Merlin's Cave at low tide
Permanent exhibition
- Tintagel Castle exhibition – An introduction to Tintagel through the ages, using oversized book sculptures and historic artefacts to show how fact and fiction shaped the site.
- Operated by
- English Heritage
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £15.38 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £13.85Concession tickets |
| Children & teens | £7.65Child ticket for ages 5 to 17. Up to six children enter free with an English Heritage member. |
| Families | £38.592 adults and up to 3 children; 1 adult and up to 3 children £23.12. |
| Family ticket (1 adult, up to 3 children) | £23.12Advance online price without donation |
Prices depend on the date (Standard, Saver and Super Saver rates) and are cheaper when booked online by midnight the day before. The amounts given are the lowest advance online prices without the optional donation seen in October 2026; with the donation the adult ticket is £17.00 at the same rate. Tickets bought on the day cost more (£20.00 for an adult on 11 October 2026). English Heritage members enter free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: not available
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: not available
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: not available
Wheelchair access is limited because of the clifftop geography, with steep slopes, uneven surfaces of grass, gravel, cobbles and flagstones, and sheer drops. The one-way route leaves the site by 140 steep steps, but visitors can avoid them by crossing back over the bridge, which is step-free. There are no lifts and no parking or set-down area on site. A limited shuttle can take fold-up wheelchairs for part of the way. Wheelchairs can be borrowed, and handrails and a dog bowl are provided. The last time slot of the day is usually quieter for visitors with access needs. Call the site on 01840 770328 to discuss requirements.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £38.59 · 2 adults and up to 3 children; 1 adult and up to 3 children £23.12. |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Baby changing facilities
The Beach Café offers a children’s menu and highchairs. Pushchairs cannot be used in some areas because of the rough terrain and many steps; there is space to leave them next to the visitor centre, and a baby carrier is recommended for toddlers. Grassed areas around the ruins offer room to run around.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tintagel Visitor Centre
The nearest bus stop is Tintagel Visitor Centre, a 1-mile walk from the castle; bus 95 runs from Bude to Newquay via Boscastle, Tintagel, Camelford and Wadebridge. The nearest railway station is Bodmin Parkway (19 miles), from where bus 11 to Wadebridge connects with bus 95.
By car
Paid parking · 600 m to the entrance
There is no parking at the castle. Pay-and-display car parks in Tintagel village, not run by English Heritage, are 600 metres away and can get very busy.
- Accessible parking: not available
The castle is on Tintagel Head, 600 metres along an uneven track from the village; no vehicles. Sat nav postcode PL34 0HE. A limited shuttle service runs from the shop and café area.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
The Beach Café has a terrace with sea views and serves pasties, scones and light lunches. The main shop is at the visitor centre. Toilets, including a disabled toilet and baby changing, are next to the visitor centre; there are none on the island.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | no |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is welcome; some areas may be restricted, so call ahead if photography is your main reason to visit. Drones are not permitted. |
| Good to know | Allow at least half an hour to walk from the village car parks to the footbridge where the timed slot begins. The paths are uneven, and sturdy shoes and weather protection are recommended. Dogs are welcome on leads; smoking, vaping, barbecues and naked flames are not permitted. Educational visits must be booked in advance. |
