Romano-British and early medieval settlement, medieval church, castle and associated features on Tintagel Island and adjoining mainland — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Tintagel Island has worn many identities: a Roman road marker, a seasonal king's residence for Dumnonia, a fifth-century palace receiving goods from Spain and the Mediterranean, and finally Richard's castle, built in the thirteenth century and left to decay. Each layer buried the last, yet the sea kept returning them through stone, glass and legend. What looks like ruin is really a palimpsest, written and rewritten by every hand that thought the headland worth claiming.

The National Heritage List for England records Romano-British and early medieval settlement, medieval church, castle and associated features on Tintagel Island and adjoining mainland as a scheduled monument. The saved point comes from the centre supplied by the official record. Listing does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.

The castle on Tintagel Island was built by the de Courtenay family in the 13th century, likely under the influence of Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall. It is important as a key medieval stronghold associated with the legend of King Arthur and as an example of early Gothic architecture in Cornwall.

The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.