Tag: history

Tintagel Head is in a well protected prominent position, to view all ships approaching.  There is an old mooring on the north side deep harbour, used by ancient traders. Originally there was a land bridge from mainland to castle island before the rock caved into a ravine.  The many steep steps are seen in my photos, up both sides, mainland and the Head.  Climbing up the many steep steps carved out of the rock face gives a good idea of how difficult it would have been to breach the castle fortress.  The cave is reputed to be Merlin's cave; it tunnels right through the island from the beach at low tide, out to an ocean opening on the south side.  Part of the castle ramparts still exists on the mainland. (Since my visit, a modern bridge has been built joining the two sides).

[Add notes from museum]

The Celts who arrived in Cornwall between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, constructed hill forts and some 40 cliff castles throughout the country.  This remaining castle they think was built by Kings in 1100-1200s but built on top of a pre-existing Celtic site.

Many archaeological finds of luxury pottery from the Mediterranean, Aegean and Africa and glass from Spain have been found, showing the long history of trading in the area.  Some historians believed it to have been a Celtic monastery.