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Tintagel Castle
64 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 18, 2022
If you ever visit Cornwall you have to go to Tintagel. Spectacular landscape meets myths and legends. This guide sums it very well up. King Arthur and Merlin (have a look at Merlin's Cave) are also referred to. Broad focus is put on the facts. Dark ages, settlements and the castle actually built there. I liked the map included and enjoyed the trip to that legendary location. This is a magic place and the surrounding is among the very best I ever came across. Highly recommended, ideal travel companion!
June 18, 2025
Really informative!! Perfect if you like to nerd over Arthurian stuff :)
September 16, 2025
We visited Tintagel back in 2000 and went again in August of 2025. However, this time the low cloud, mistiness and rain meant that we figured the views would not be worth it, so I contented myself with buying this guide book instead.
In some ways it's a shame to have missed out on the tour as a lot has changed since 2025 as you can see from the cover photographs of the different editions. There is now a magnificent cantilever bridge scanning the gap between the promontory and the headland which would have been a fun - if vertiginous- crossing. Back in 2000 it was a long climb down and a log climb up the other side and on the return journey with tired kids we took advantage of a landrover shuttle arrangement.
The guide book, illustrated with many excellent photos, does fill in for he missed experience with an opening section that is something of a guided tour of the fortress.
It also describes the fortresses evolution in response to political, social and geographic forces.
I liked the etymology of the name Din or Tin being cornish for fortress and tagell meaning a constriction - ie the narrow isthmus of land that joined the headland and promotory so
Din Tagell means 'the fortress of the narrow entrance'
In some ways it is similar to the other smaller headland fortress of Dunluce on the North Coast of Northern Ireland, in that its position exposed to tide and storm has weathered away important features. Dunluce lost its castle kitchen, For Tintagel the isthmus itself has been been eroded so the bridge restores the elevation - if not the actual appearance - of the original approach travellers would have taken into the castle.
The book makes clear that most of the fortress we now see was constructed in the 13th Century by Richard Duke of Cornwall, Brother of Henry III, uncle to Edward I and the only Englishman to ever have ascended to the title of Holy Roman Emperor/King of the Germans through a very expensive process of buying the electors.
However, given its magnificently defensible position there is lots of archeological evidence of other occupation back into the 'dark ages' of the 6th and 7th centuries. It is no wonder that it inspired and attracted so many legends of King Arthur and - as always with discovering castle - I find I want to work this brilliant setting (or something like it) into a fantasy novel!
In some ways it's a shame to have missed out on the tour as a lot has changed since 2025 as you can see from the cover photographs of the different editions. There is now a magnificent cantilever bridge scanning the gap between the promontory and the headland which would have been a fun - if vertiginous- crossing. Back in 2000 it was a long climb down and a log climb up the other side and on the return journey with tired kids we took advantage of a landrover shuttle arrangement.
The guide book, illustrated with many excellent photos, does fill in for he missed experience with an opening section that is something of a guided tour of the fortress.
It also describes the fortresses evolution in response to political, social and geographic forces.
I liked the etymology of the name Din or Tin being cornish for fortress and tagell meaning a constriction - ie the narrow isthmus of land that joined the headland and promotory so
Din Tagell means 'the fortress of the narrow entrance'
In some ways it is similar to the other smaller headland fortress of Dunluce on the North Coast of Northern Ireland, in that its position exposed to tide and storm has weathered away important features. Dunluce lost its castle kitchen, For Tintagel the isthmus itself has been been eroded so the bridge restores the elevation - if not the actual appearance - of the original approach travellers would have taken into the castle.
The book makes clear that most of the fortress we now see was constructed in the 13th Century by Richard Duke of Cornwall, Brother of Henry III, uncle to Edward I and the only Englishman to ever have ascended to the title of Holy Roman Emperor/King of the Germans through a very expensive process of buying the electors.
However, given its magnificently defensible position there is lots of archeological evidence of other occupation back into the 'dark ages' of the 6th and 7th centuries. It is no wonder that it inspired and attracted so many legends of King Arthur and - as always with discovering castle - I find I want to work this brilliant setting (or something like it) into a fantasy novel!
July 26, 2024
I had a really nice trip to Tintagel in June and wanted to learn as much about it as I could because I thought it was so picturesque and interesting. This book really gives you all the information you kind of need to know about the history of everything that has been found out about the castle so far, and it’s all put forward really well. I would recommend visiting the castle to anyone but I think English Heritage are very stupid about their pricing and that may unfortunately (but understandably) make it something people just never get round to.
March 24, 2023
The 2019 third edition has been expanded to 65 pages. It includes even more photos, maps, history, legends, details about walking tours, the 2019 bridge, and the stunning, enigmatic Gallos sculpture. Highly recommend reading this guide before you walk around Tintagel, because it will help ground you in what you see and explore.
February 3, 2018
This is simply a guide book, bought at Tintagel Castle.
It does, however come with a little bit more than the average guide book, which made it a slightly better read than some.
The first half of the book is pretty much a standard guide, talking the reader/visitor through the various sites at the ruins of one of the most legendary castles in the country. (It does mention King Arthur and Merlin once or twice, but not as much as it could have!).
The second half talks about the fascinating history of the castle, how it is believed to have fitted into the scope of time and how long it has been there. It tells about the various discoveries and archaeological digs that have taken place over the years, and just how it came to fit into Arthurian Legend. All very interesting and educational.
Of course, as is often the case with guide books, the real treasure are the number of pictures showing off the ruins to their best potential!
It does, however come with a little bit more than the average guide book, which made it a slightly better read than some.
The first half of the book is pretty much a standard guide, talking the reader/visitor through the various sites at the ruins of one of the most legendary castles in the country. (It does mention King Arthur and Merlin once or twice, but not as much as it could have!).
The second half talks about the fascinating history of the castle, how it is believed to have fitted into the scope of time and how long it has been there. It tells about the various discoveries and archaeological digs that have taken place over the years, and just how it came to fit into Arthurian Legend. All very interesting and educational.
Of course, as is often the case with guide books, the real treasure are the number of pictures showing off the ruins to their best potential!
January 2, 2021
Excellent guide book that gives background and history
June 5, 2021
A really informative and interesting guide book
Read
December 30, 2022I'm doing my thesis on Tintagel and this is a very helpful guidebook
September 17, 2024
Fantastic account of Tintagel Castle, now including a walking map.
April 9, 2026
Gives a good, informative overview of the history of Tintagel Castle. Feel like they tried to bulk it out a bit with the Legend of Arthur stuff but overall a good guide book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews