Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
BOSSINEY HAVEN & TREBARWITH STRAND
A secluded and secret(ish) beach within easy reach of Tintagel, the tiny, tucked-away cove of
Bossiney Haven
is
accessible via farmland and steep steps cut into the cliff. The beach is is practically submerged at high tide, and a
tough walk up-and-down, so it usually stays pretty quiet. It's a great place for a picnic and an out-of-the-way dip,
but beware - the tide rolls in fast. It's off the B3263 north of Tintagel; there's parking in a nearby field, from
where it's a 10 minute walk down to the beach.
Further south is
Trebarwith Strand
, another fine sandy beach that's all but claimed by the tide at high water,
and is accessed across rough rocks (flip-flops or surf shoes are a good idea). Follow the B3263 south from Tinta-
gel, and spot the signs for Trebarwith. There's a big public car park, plus overspill parking in a nearby field.
In between the two beaches near the village of Trethevy is the secret swimming spot of
St Nectan's Glen
(
www.st-nectansglen.co.uk
;
9.30am-5pm), where a 60ft waterfall tumbles across the slate into a kieve
(plunge pool) fringed by ivy and shrubs. It's a mystical spot, supposedly frequented by fairies and pixies, and le-
gendarily associated with King Arthur. The remains of a hermitage which supposedly belonged to St Nectan can
be seen above the pool - although we're willing to bet there probably wasn't a
cafe
(£2-6;
10am-5pm) here
in his day.
The mile-long track to the pool starts opposite the bus stop in Trethevy; just follow the signs.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Tintagel
The spectre of King Arthur looms large over Tintagel and its crumbling clifftop
castle
(EH;
01840-770328;
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/tintagel-castle
; Bossiney Rd; adult/child £5.90/
3.50; 10am-6pm Apr-Sep, 10am-5pm Oct, 10am-4pm Nov-Mar)
. Though the ruins mostly date from
the 13th century, archaeological digs have revealed the foundations of an earlier fortress,
fuelling speculation that the legendary king was born at the castle as local legend claims.
Fables aside, the site has been occupied since Roman times and served as a seasonal resid-
ence for Cornwall's Celtic kings, but the present castle is largely the work of Richard, Earl
of Cornwall, who established the fortress to cash in on its Arthurian connections.
King Arthur notwithstanding, it's hard to think of a more soul-stirring spot for a strong-
hold. Part of the castle stands on a rock tower known as 'The Island', cut off from the
mainland, and accessed via a wooden bridge and a dizzying set of cliff steps. Though
much of the castle has long since crumbled, it's still possible to make out the footprint of
the Great Hall and several other rooms. There's also a curious tunnel that's still puzzling
archaeologists; it may have been used as a larder or cold store.
