Tintagel: Castle, Village, Walks & Trebarwith Strand

Updated 10 October 2026 · 6 min read

Tintagel is where legend says King Arthur was conceived, and its ruined clifftop castle is one of the most dramatic places in Britain. The village itself is small and full of Arthurian souvenirs, but the coast around it is magnificent, with sandy Trebarwith Strand and some of Cornwall's best cliff walks.

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle (English Heritage) is split between the mainland and a rocky headland called the Island, linked since 2019 by a spectacular footbridge. Explore the 13th-century ruins, look for the carved face of "Merlin", see the bronze statue known as Gallos, and walk down to the beach to peer into Merlin's Cave at low tide.

• Book ahead in summer, because tickets are sold for timed entry.
• The walk down is steep: it's about half a mile from the village, and the site has lots of steps. A privately run Land Rover shuttle (small charge) usually runs between the village and the castle from April to October, but it's been running a limited route, so check before you rely on it.

In the village

• The Old Post Office (National Trust) is a crooked, 14th-century stone house with a wavy slate roof, one of the most charming buildings in Cornwall.
• St Materiana's Church stands alone on the cliffs at Glebe Cliff, with huge sea views. A coast path loop from the church back to the castle is a short, spectacular walk.
• St Nectan's Glen, a short drive towards Boscastle, is a wooded valley leading to a waterfall that drops through a hole in the rock (entry fee for the falls). Nearby, Rocky Valley is a free, rugged gorge that runs down to the sea.

Trebarwith Strand

Two miles south of the village, Trebarwith Strand is a surf beach backed by tall cliffs. The sand only appears at low tide: at high tide the sea comes right up to the rocks, so check tide times and keep an eye on the water. The Port William pub, perched on the cliff above, is one of the best sunset spots on the north coast.

Places in this guide

Where to eat and drink

As well as the Port William, the village has several old inns on Fore Street, including the King Arthur's Arms and the Olde Malthouse, both in 14th-century buildings. There are also cafés, pasty shops and tea rooms.

Getting there and parking

There are several pay car parks in the village, all within walking distance of the castle path. Tintagel is about 20 minutes from Port Isaac and Boscastle, and 30 minutes from Bodmin. There's no railway station: the nearest is Bodmin Parkway, and buses connect to Wadebridge, Camelford and Bude.

Plan your trip