Tintagel Castle
Cornwall, England
Photo: Mustangbarry, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Astrobiologic, CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Allan Henderson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Bodmin Parkway, 15.9 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Clifftop ruin linked to Arthurian legend
Pinpoint
Castle Rd, Tintagel PL34 0HE
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily, 10am-5pm (last entry at 4pm)
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
A clifftop ruin split across a gorge on the North Cornwall coast, linked since the 12th century to the legend of Arthur's conception - English Heritage leans into the mythology without pretending it's fact. A footbridge now spans the chasm between the two halves, replacing the steep steps that used to be the only way across.
At a glance
Who to know
King Arthur · site linked by legend to Arthur's conception
Worth the trip
Crossing the footbridge over the chasm between the mainland and headland ruins - a genuinely dramatic piece of engineering, and far more accessible than the old route down and up.
Before you go
Book tickets in advance and arrive early - it gets very busy - and if you're heading down to the sea caves, time it against the tide; reviewers report nearly getting caught out.
What visitors say
Tintagel Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 18,853 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Tintagel Castle's dramatic clifftop and sea views, along with the bridge connecting the two halves of the site, and recommend booking tickets in advance for a discount and arriving early given limited parking.
Several note the site involves a steep walk down from the car park (with a paid shuttle available) and plenty of steps, so comfortable footwear is advised.
“Wow! Just Wow!”- Niko James, visitor review
History
Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall (medieval castle) · 13th century (medieval); 5th-6th century (early settlement)
An elite settlement from the 5th to 7th centuries occupied Tintagel, serving as a stronghold of Cornish regional rulers with Mediterranean trading links. Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, built the medieval castle in the 13th century on this prestigious site. Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th-century Historia linked it to King Arthur's conception, transforming it into a legendary destination. Excavations in 2016-2017 uncovered a 5th-6th century palace with Spanish and Mediterranean imports, revealing its high status in early medieval Britain.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan your visit
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Only a 5 minute walk from the main car park though it is down a very steep hill but for those with mobility issues there is a paid shuttle bus to come back up the hill.” - Allison Boulton
- Terrain & accessibility
- “I visited 20 years ago and was surprised to find a bridge over the chasm between the 2 areas when once we had to trot down and then up many steep steps.” - Gillian
- Facilities
- “There's a pleasant cafe where one can have a welcome cuppa or ice cream.” - Gillian
Common questions about Tintagel Castle
Where is Tintagel Castle?
Tintagel Castle is in Cornwall, England, at Castle Rd, Tintagel PL34 0HE.
Do you need a ticket to visit Tintagel Castle?
Yes - Tintagel Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Tintagel Castle?
Crossing the footbridge over the chasm between the mainland and headland ruins - a genuinely dramatic piece of engineering, and far more accessible than the old route down and up.
Is Tintagel Castle a ruin or still intact?
Tintagel Castle is a ruin - Clifftop ruin linked to Arthurian legend.
