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Tintagel

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barbara
barbara
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
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Tintagel

  • April 14, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by barbara from Atlanta, Georgia
Tintagel

On the northern coast of Cornwall one can find the romantic ruins of a castle that was built on the very site where King Arthur of the Knights of the Round Table was supposed to once have had a residence. Dogs are allowed to explore the ruins with owners (bring a plastic bag for any needed clean-up!), so off we went!

English Heritage members can access Tintagel Castle for free, but everyone else can buy tickets at the bottom of the cliff. If you don't want to walk to the site, you can even take a jeep from the village for a quid. If you've got someone with unsure footing in your party, he/she might want to accompany you to the visitor's center only where they can watch a film on King Arthur for free and then poke around in the gift shop or cafe while you go up the steep steps to see what you can see of the ruins. I can't imagine someone who has a hard time walking actually accessing the site itself, so be warned!

Behind a group of French students, we slowly walked up the stairs to the old courtyard where parts of a crumbling castle still stand. Built around 1200 AD, (they think) it was put in this spot mostly to capitalize on the site's association with King Arthur... to give the owner a little added mystique. And I have to admit. If you're going by the location, location, location rule of where to put real estate, this castle would have come with an amazing view. You can stand up on the top of the cliffs and look down below to caves that have been worn by waves into the land. One of these was supposed to be "Merlin's Cave." (I guess wizards don't mind a little damp.) My husband was fascinated by the well, which was full of water. We both were left breathless by the sheer beauty of all our surroundings.

After seeing the castle ruins, we walked back to the village because we wanted to go to a National Trust site next. The Old Post Office is across the street from a car park. Our dog was happy to wait in the car with the windows cracked. (There were snow flurries outside, so there was no danger of him overheating.) For less than £2, non-National Trust members can tour this small house built of slate. Unlike the castle, which has mostly fallen down, this building is still in great condition. The roof is a little wonky looking, but it is astonishing that it was also first built around 1200 AD. Now that's quality construction! Information sheets are in each room to explain the furniture. Don't miss the gun over the fireplace that had such a kick the user was supposed to put the butt of it against the center of his chest rather than on his shoulder. I loved the grounds out back, and the ladies who worked in the building were very helpful and friendly.

What else? Before leaving Tintagel, I would suggest getting a scoop or two of premium Cornish ice cream. Despite the cold weather, we bought some from the shop next to the car park. It was some of the best ice cream we've ever had! Exquisite.

From journal Canine in Cornwall

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