Tintagel the very name conjures up an air of history, and legend, and is does not dissapoint. Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the wild Cornish coast, Tintagel Castle is believed to be the legendary court of King Arthur. It is also said that Arthur was conceived here, while the legendary magician, Merlin waited in a cave under the castle (There is a cave that joins the peninsular to the mainland; and today it is still referred to as Merlin's Cave).  Arthur was the first born son of King Uther Pendragon, and rightful the heir to the English throne. Upon the death of King Uther Pendragon, Arthur was recognized as the rightful King of 'merry ole England.' Except at the time England was far from merry, despite what Hollywood tells one. In fact England was going through troubled times with usurpers galore, claiming the throne, Merlin the magician had been entrusted with young Arthur's upbringing and safety.To protect and prove Arthurs inheritance as the lawful King Of England Merlin had embedded a sword in a stone in a lake, On the sword Merlin had inscribed: "Who so pulleth out this sword of this stone is the right wise born king of all England." Many, tried many, failed all except Arthur who extracted the sword and was proclaimed the rightful King of England. It was here at Tintagel on the Cornish coast that the legendary Camelot and the 'Knights of the Round Table' are reputed to have been sighted, according to legend. It was from Tintagel that the "Knights of the Round Table" set out on their never ending quests to find the 'Holy Grail.' What was the 'Holy Grail' it was the chalice that Jesus sipped from at the Last Supper. Tintagel was voted the most romantic place in the country, and given the strength of the Authurtilian Legend it is easy to see why.

Tintagel as one will imagine is dominated by the castle and tales of King Arthur and his "Knights of the Round Table" abound. But what of Tintagel its-self. One should curb ones natural instinct to dash off and explore the Castle, and browse the shops or partake of a local made Cornish pasties, or one of my particular culinary delights a cream tea. It is a myth to say cream teas are only a 'West Country' creation clotted cream teas in various forms are sold all over England ,however it is not a myth to say that somehow they taste better when eaten in a beautiful 'West Country' location. As for the pasties there is a virtual undeclared war between Devon, and Cornwall as to who first came up with the  pasties and which are the best. For the record the only difference I could find was Cornish pasties are crimped on the top and Devon pasties crimped on the side, or have I got it the wrong way round?

Tintagel has a awful lot of souviner shops catering for the Authurtilian Legend. But please pay a visit to the information center where you will find a wreath of information not only about King Arthur but the surrounding countryside. About the fauna & flora, the beautiful rugged coast with it's tales of dering-do and of the Cornish peoples struggle with the element that is both a friend, and foe, yes the sea. You will all so find out all about the small hamlets and villages, and how over the centuries they have manage to survive on this wild coast. For King Arthur aside, these are the things that make this area so unique. Do drop in to one of the numerous public houses and enjoy a beer or browse in the gift, craft, and souviner shops for I am sure you would wish to take home a memento of your visit to this romantic place.

But Tintagel is not only about the legend of King Arthur. Tintagel is set high on the cliffs with magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. You can stand on the beach at Crackington Haven look up at the towering cliffs with the strata vividly displays the earths development over millions of years. All so near by is Cornwalls highest point reaching a dizzy 731ft and rather unimaginatively named High Point. From here one can see the spectacular coast line as far as Hartington Point North Devon. Near to Crackington Haven is the little hamlet of St Glennys, in whose little church lie the graves of shipwrecked sailor's of a by-gone era, a sure reminder to one and all that the sea can be cruel as well as benevolent. Yes if you like legend, magnificent scenery, quaint hamlets, and villages, spectacular views, and and an invigorating outdoor holiday, then Tintagel is the certainly place for you

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