Known as King Arthur’s Castle, Tintagel Castle is steeped in history and the legend associated with it makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cornwall.
While there’s no doubt that the legend of King Arthur and Merlin has helped to draw tourists in for many years, this castle in Cornwall is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the county. However, the prices of tickets can be off-putting, especially if you’re a family of 4+, then the costs can quickly add up.
If you’re wondering why is Tintagel Castle so expensive, there is no doubt that English Heritage and other similar organisations use the money from ticket sales to restore and improve their historical sites. Maintaining these important parts of history in the UK is vital for conversation and future generation’s understanding of history in this country.
So this article is not aimed at asking why the amount is being charged for a ticket, instead, this article aims to help you decide if the sights at Tintagel Castle are worth enough to you for the price of the ticket.
How much does Tintagel Castle cost?
The price you pay can vary slightly throughout the year and cheaper tickets are available in the off-peak months although you will need to check the website directly for the most up to date prices each season.
The prices below are accurate as of the peak season in 2021 and it’s your choice whether you make the donation:
English Heritage members – Free
Adults – £15.70 without donation / £17.30 with donation
Children – 10-17 years – £9.40 without donation / £10,40 with donation
Concessions – £14.10 without donation / £15.60 with donation
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) – £40.80 without donation / £45 with a donation
What’s included in the ticket price at Tintagel Castle?
Entry to the castle complex, crossing the new cantilever bridge and access to the castle island is all included in the ticket.
It’s important to note that there is no actual castle building remaining, just the ruins of the castle, such as outer walls, old doorways and the remains of foundations on both the mainland and on the island.
What can you see without a ticket?
You can walk down the track all the way to the coast and reach the water’s edge without a ticket. You can enjoy the shops, cafe and seating areas at the bottom of the access track without a ticket.
There’s also the option to walk along the wooden walkways for views of the beach and access to the beach where Merlin’s cave is. Although the tide does come in very high and the beach completely disappears at high tide, so make sure to check the tide times if you do plan to do some exploring of the caves.
From these wooden walkways above the beach you can also stand below and see the new Tintagel cantilever bridge, however, you can’t cross the bridge without buying a ticket to the castle itself.
Is it worth paying to see Tintagel Castle?
Writing from personal experience, whether it’s worth it depends on the type of day you’re visiting on.
For the purposes of this article, I chose to visit the castle alone and pay the ticket cost, my family did not come with me as the price for four of us would have been £62.80 without a donation or £69.20 with a donation in April 2021.
Although seeing the ruins is fascinating and there are information boards around the complex describing what was once in that specific location, I was surprised at how little of the castle actually remained.
Experiencing the new cantilever bridge which now connects the mainland and the island was a highlight for me as I love heights, but it’s definitely not for everyone when you’re that high above the rocky shoreline!
Beyond the immediate entry area on the island, there is very little that remains of the castle.
Following the route anti-clockwise around the island will take you on the best route to see everything there is before you descend the wooden steps to the beach below.
Tintagel ticket prices: the best part
The biggest redeeming factor for me was the views. I visited on a clear, blue sky, sunny day and the views of the turquoise blue ocean, the rugged coastline and being able to see for miles and miles is what made the ticket price worth it for me.
The views of the beach below from the east side of the island are spectacular and there’s an information board about the landmarks you can see in the distance all the way on the horizon.
At the far tip of the island, furthest from the mainland is a rocky plateau where you’ll find the famous King Arthur sculpture and the views from here across the water are stunning, I’d recommend it for a picnic on a sunny day or a romantic spot for couples.
However, I can’t help but think that if I had visited on a cloudy, overcast, rainy or misty day when visibility would have been reduced and the great British weather would have made this coastline look a lot more dreary, I would not have enjoyed my visit half as much.
Of course, some may prefer this atmospheric experience of being there on a dark and cloudy day, but with the lack of actual castle and things to see, the views I saw were really what made the ticket worth it for me.
Summary: Is Tintagel Worth it?
In short, if you’re expecting a substantial amount of castle remains here, you’ll be disappointed.
The awesome new bridge, amazing views and very friendly staff really made the price I paid for my ticket worth it.
Likewise, if you’re a King Arthur or Merlin enthusiast then this might be the perfect attraction for you, although you can access the beach and cave without a ticket.
But if you’d also like to enjoy those beautiful views to make the most of the price you pay for the ticket, I would suggest visiting on a day with good weather.
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Excellent article. Visited today and felt the same. Didnt pay to go in. Just took some photos from Camelot Hotel grounds. Note: – this is private property.