Incredible Tintagel Castle Views & Classic Cornish Pasties
Tintagel Castle is an impressive medieval fortress that sits atop the rugged cliffs of Tintagel Island, adjacent to the charming village of Tintagel in North Cornwall, United Kingdom. This historic location has been inhabited since at least the late Roman period, with a lively community flourishing between the 5th and 7th centuries.
Its notoriety grew in the 12th century when Geoffrey of Monmouth proclaimed it to be the birthplace of King Arthur, a tale that likely motivated Richard, Earl of Cornwall, to build a castle here in the 1230s. Today, the remnants of that legendary history continue to attract visitors from all over the world.
Archaeological discoveries have uncovered traces of beautiful pottery imported from the Mediterranean, left by its past ancient residents. The island once featured several small rectangular buildings, some of which are still visible today. A strong bank and ditch, parts of which still exist, once protected the landward approach to this narrow isthmus, which may have been as high as the surrounding landscape.
The site’s dramatic headland, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, provides natural defense and stunning views over the southern stretch of the Bristol Channel. Uniquely, it also had access to fresh water, an essential resource for its inhabitants.
The prevailing theory indicates that Tintagel functioned as a secular stronghold for the rulers of Dumnonia, which includes modern-day Devon and Cornwall. During this time, British kings frequently traveled between various royal sites, making Tintagel one of several significant locations in the area. Moreover, the headland may have been fortified in response to the arrival of Irish-speaking settlers in the nearby regions, as shown by monumental stones inscribed in Irish found in north-eastern Cornwall and extending down to the Tamar Valley.
After visiting the castle and enjoying the amazing sea views, we headed into town for a stroll then came across a bakery called Pegenna Pasties that sold a variety of Cornish pasties. People always recommend that you try an authentic pasty from Cornwall. The bakery was just about to close so we bought some frozen ones and baked them when we got back home. They were delicious!
