Tintagel Castle will be closed until Summer 2019 for the construction of the new bridge connecting the mainland to the island. The new bridge has divided opinion, but English Heritage say the aim was to find a bridge tailored to Tintagel Castle that will harmonise with the iconic coastal landscape. The design chosen will feature Cornish Delabole slate, with stainless steel balustrades fitted along its length.
While you are waiting to put your best foot forward over the new Tintagel Castle bridge, here are a few nearby rustic historical sites worth a look, with most having free entry:
PENHALLAM MANOR
The grass covered remains of a moated 13th century manor house built by Andrew de Cardinham, unusual for Cornwall and with a ground layout that has survived intact.
Sat Nav postcode: EX22 6XW
ST BREOCK DOWNS MONOLITH
St Breock Downs Monolith is Cornwall’s largest and heaviest prehistoric monolith that stands on the summit of St Breock Downs, offering wonderful views.
Sat Nav postcode: PL30 5PN
RESTORMEL CASTLE
A 13th-century circular structure that still encloses the principal rooms of the castle in remarkably good condition. It stands on an earlier Norman mound with a dry ditch on a high spur beside the River Fowey. It has great views and is a good picnic spot, especially in the spring with displays of bluebells, rhododendrons and daffodils.
Sat Nav postcode: PL22 0EE
LAUNCESTON CASTLE
Set on a large natural mound, Launceston Castle dominates the surrounding landscape with a 13th century round tower built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall The tower top can be reached via an internal staircase offering good views of the historic town and countryside.
Sat Nav postcode: PL15 7DR
HURLERS STONE CIRCLES
If the mystery of stone circles is your thing then these late Neolithic or early Bronze Age stone circles arranged in a line, are a unique ceremonial circle worth stopping to have a look at. According to legend, they are the remains of men petrified for playing hurling on a Sunday.
Sat Nav postcode: PL14 5LE
