When we visited Cornwall last Spring we were tantalizing close to the village of Tintagel. We had so much to cram in that week with friends, that we never got closer than seeing the road signs. This year, I was determined to rectify that matter. We arrived in Cornwall early one Saturday morning and decided it was perfect timing for me to relive some memories and create some new one. I’d be revisiting Tintagel Castle 20 years on with my 6 year old Monkey in tow.
Tintagel is on the coast of North Cornwall, not far from Padstow and well worth a visit. There’s a large pay and display car park in the centre of the village, we parked up and followed the signs down to the main entrance to the castle. It’s a little step, but there is a shuttle service for those who would prefer to be driven up and down.
I have two abiding memories of my first visit to Tintagel Castle from all those years ago, one of beautifully clear sea and the other of a rickety staircase linking one part of the site to the other. The latter didn’t provide the happiest of memories, but I’d seen photos of the site in more recent times and knew that that staircase was long gone.
Having English Heritage membership is a great bonus in Cornwall, as there are so many castles dotted around the county. We picked up an activity sheet for Monkey and headed off to explore. He’s old enough now that he can understand that ruins were once something rather wonderful and we work out together what castle rooms might once have looked like.
Monkey hadn’t heard about King Arthur before so I told him the little I knew and we talked about the landscape and how the castle must have towered above the cliff tops in days gone by.
The sea was unbelievably calm on our visit, there was no wind at all either. The sea looked more like a lake as we looked down at the hidden coves.
The pathways and staircases were certainly much sturdier and child friendly revisiting Tintagel Castle 20 years on! They didn’t faze Monkey at all.
There are information points around the site, making it easier for children to understand the layout of the rooms and functions. Monkey loved exploring and took in every piece of information provided. There were staircases to climb and doorways to walk through. Plenty of adventures to be had.
Of course any great Arthurian explorer needs to take a break every so often and there were plenty of places to just sit, admire the view and watch the world go round.
The cliff top walks offered stunning views of the Cornish coast and the wider Castle settlement. It really must have been something to behold in the days of old.
I have to admit to getting a little anxious on clifftop walk with Monkey. I’m so much more aware of the dangers now I’m a Mum, so I put Daddy P in charge, in the hope that Monkey doesn’t pick up on my fears.
They strode off together in search of smuggling ships and invaders from foreign lands.
Revisiting Tintagel Castle 20 years on was the perfect way to begin our Cornish holiday. A great place to let off steam, soak up the history and admire the views. We even bumped into King Arthur.
Haha I was just coming to see if the rickety bridge was still there, because the last time I visited was 30 years ago !! The main castle looks just as wild and untouched as I remember. Love the King Arthur statue #countrykids
This was maybe my favorite place to visit on our UK trip, although I missed the statue! We hiked along the cliffs from our B&B and it was just lovely. Our oldest was only one when we visited so I’m hoping we can bring him and his brothers back. It sure looks like your family had a lovely time! #CountryKids
Oh that statue is marvellous (it would probably scare N at the moment!). I’ve only been to cornwall as a 3 year old so don’t remember any of it. Must go back sometime but it just feels so far to go #countrykids
Isn’t it an amazing sight? I’m not surprised that you remember it. Haven’t been for a few years. You chose a beautiful day to go. #CountryKids
Tintagel Castle is truly amazing to see, it’s hard to imagine quite what it would’ve looked like coming in from sea and seeing it standing proud on the cliff tops. It’s great that you managed to get Monkey exploring and really getting his imagination going. Monkey and Daddy P look like they had lovely bonding time on the cliff top walks too.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
Wow, it looks wonderful but I think those bridges might phase me a little! Mich x
Aww the landscapes are breathtaking and I dont know how to draw well but I suddenly want to just draw to capture their beauty! #countrykids
Love that statue and the views from the castle are just stunning. I’ve only ever visited Tintagel once, back when I was pregnant with Sophie and I remember the steep walk from the car park being hard work, especially as it was a hot day! We didn’t get to explore the castle that day which makes me think we really should return sometime and explore it with both the girls. Glad that Monkey enjoyed his walk along the cliff top and exploring the castle. #countrykids
This looks amazing – Cornwall is somewhere I barely know at all and the more I see the more I want to go! What a place to explore, I love castles so close to the sea. And the sea is so calm in your photos! I would have been terrified of that cliff top walk too. The views are beautiful though so it has to be done… #countrykids
Cornwall has some amazing places to visit, and this just looks like an amazing trip. We usually stop at Somerset because that’s where the OH family is but we need to explore further down the coast! That statue is amazing & strange, but I think mine would be more fascinated than scared! It looks like some lovely, happy bonding time was had
xx
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