Tintagel

Of course it would be wrong to come to Cornwall without visiting Tintagel, the romantic castle ruins on a headland that juts out into the sea, further down the North coast of Cornwall from “our” little village St Teath. Legend tenuously connects it with King Arthur, his knights of the round table and Camelot (did King Arthur exist? where did he live? who created the legends surrounding him, and why were they created? etc etc)

Whatever the origins, Tintagel was built strategically almost impregnable; on high cliffs with only a narrow passageway that anyone has to cross to enter the castle. It would have been easily defended.

Built during the 12th century there are only ruins there now, but interesting ruins.

Of course, like any major historical site in the UK you shuffle through with three gazillion other interested people. Including us - here's Jon, Lucy, Evie, Leo and Robbie.

There’s not only a castle and courtyard, but the ruins of approximately 100 little dwellings and buildings, a walled garden ( which would not have been big enough to sustain the people living there and which is too exposed to harsh weather and salt spray to grow too much), a well, a little chapel with a stone altar and poignantly a grave next to the chapel unmarked except for a cross overlooking the cove below.

Tintagel the village is devoted to the tourist trade. Every shop carries through the theme (“King Arthur Arms”, “Merlin’s Gifts and Confectionary”). We found a wizard.