Hello friends, today we're going back to England to visit a most exquisite area of Cornwall. This is a continuation of our Golden Anniversary trip. As usual, I'm recording our visit in the order in which we toured for our celebration.
In my journal for this day I see I recorded that it was a lovely bright sunny day in which to travel to the coastline. Along the way many beautiful sights treated us.
Riding through the countryside we pass many cottages here and there as we leave Devon and ride into the county of Cornwall.
The sight of the ocean always thrills my heart and riding through this beautiful area along the coastline was exciting for me.
Oh England, I never tire seeing your green and pleasant land! The name Tintagel comes from the Cornish word, Dindagell, meaning "fort on the constriction" referring to the fort or castle on the headland. Perhaps you have heard that it is believed to be the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur. This area has history dating back to Roman times.
Tintagel Castle (Kastel Dintagel) is looked after by the English Heritage. After parking our car we check in and walk the very steep hill down to the ocean floor to view Merlin's Cave. My photos don't show how steep the incline is, but believe me we had to take baby steps to descend.
Remember you can click on my photos for a larger view to be able to read the signs if you wish.
The views from all angles were spectacular!
Here at the bottom we went inside the small information center to learn more about this area and its legends.
Back outside of the information center we explore the area more. All that remains of the castle are foundation walls and ruins. Many archaeological digs continue to find out more about the castle and life here from over a thousand years ago.
The legendary Merlin's Cave.
This area has been used for many reasons. You can read about it above.
We did not walk down to the beach, but you can see from this photo how large Merlin's Cave is with the perspective of the folks below.
When you walk down a steep hill, I'm sure you know you must walk back up. At this point we (I) decided we (I) wanted to pay the 4 pounds a piece for a ride back up the hill!
We stopped in a little cafe' and had sandwiches. I was surprised when I ordered a chicken salad sandwich it came out as a breast of chicken and tossed salad on top between bread. Grayden enjoyed a lovely panini sandwich. After our lunch we walked about Tintagel and stopped in the Old Post Office.
The Old Post Office is taken care of by The National Trust. The old wavy house dates from 1380 and is an example of a medieval hall-house. The house has had many uses, but most recently it served as a Victorian Post Office in the 1870's.
Walking inside one can tell by the beams and the floors and the hearth that this is a very old dwelling.
As in all National Trust properties, there are flowers from the garden. I love this and it thrills me to see them every time.
The north bedroom has simple furnishings of the day.
The post room is furnished with the necessary implements of a Victorian post office.
The narrow spiral stairs leads us to the south bedroom. From here we can see the wavy roof line!
These old beams support this unique roof line. It reminds of a David Winter Cottage. So charming!
Out back there is a small garden. Again, you can view the wavy roof line!
Tic tac toe, anyone? Or maybe dominoes?
While in Tintagel, we decided to go inside of King Arthur's Great Halls. For me it was quite commercial, but if you are a fan of Arthurian Legend I'm sure you would enjoy it.
This hall was built in the 1930's by Frederick Thomas Glasscock for the Order of the Fellowship of the Knights of the Round Table. Glasscock formed this organization to promote Christian ideals and promote Arthurian medieval chivalry.
After leaving the King Arthur Hall we walked back to the car park. The legend of King Arthur certainly lives on here in Tintagel.
We did not walk down to the beach, but you can see from this photo how large Merlin's Cave is with the perspective of the folks below.
When you walk down a steep hill, I'm sure you know you must walk back up. At this point we (I) decided we (I) wanted to pay the 4 pounds a piece for a ride back up the hill!
We stopped in a little cafe' and had sandwiches. I was surprised when I ordered a chicken salad sandwich it came out as a breast of chicken and tossed salad on top between bread. Grayden enjoyed a lovely panini sandwich. After our lunch we walked about Tintagel and stopped in the Old Post Office.
The Old Post Office is taken care of by The National Trust. The old wavy house dates from 1380 and is an example of a medieval hall-house. The house has had many uses, but most recently it served as a Victorian Post Office in the 1870's.
Walking inside one can tell by the beams and the floors and the hearth that this is a very old dwelling.
As in all National Trust properties, there are flowers from the garden. I love this and it thrills me to see them every time.
The north bedroom has simple furnishings of the day.
The post room is furnished with the necessary implements of a Victorian post office.
The narrow spiral stairs leads us to the south bedroom. From here we can see the wavy roof line!
These old beams support this unique roof line. It reminds of a David Winter Cottage. So charming!
Out back there is a small garden. Again, you can view the wavy roof line!
Tic tac toe, anyone? Or maybe dominoes?
While in Tintagel, we decided to go inside of King Arthur's Great Halls. For me it was quite commercial, but if you are a fan of Arthurian Legend I'm sure you would enjoy it.
This hall was built in the 1930's by Frederick Thomas Glasscock for the Order of the Fellowship of the Knights of the Round Table. Glasscock formed this organization to promote Christian ideals and promote Arthurian medieval chivalry.
After leaving the King Arthur Hall we walked back to the car park. The legend of King Arthur certainly lives on here in Tintagel.
It is interesting that long years ago there was a castle and a settlement where now there is nothing but some ruins. Equally odd is that there are periods of history that, though nearer to us, are more shrouded in mystery than more ancient times. Cornwall looks so beautiful. (Your chicken “salad” sandwich sounds difficult to eat.) Love Grayden’s big smile in the Great Hall. He obviously enjoyed the legend.
ReplyDeleteVee, archaeology sure does uncover the mysteries of those that came before us. It's a fascinating science that tells so much.
DeleteCornwall is quite beautiful and I have many place left to share there.
Grayden has a great smile and usually shares it with me when I take his photo! ♥
Loved every photo and information you shared. What a beautiful day for your visit. Dear and I visited Tintagel in 1973 (before we were married) while we were on holiday after a music tour we participated in. We enjoyed a cream tea there, too. So delicious! Lawhead wrote an interesting series on King Arthur that we enjoyed. Sort of historical fiction...
ReplyDeleteEllen, that's so neat you have visited Tintagel! The cream teas in England are certainly wonderful, aren't they? I'll have to look up Lawhead's series. Thank you for mentioning it.
DeleteWow.. such ancient and wonderful history! You are so lucky that you both are doing these travels while you can still get around well. We waited too long. Sometimes when you have the time you don't have the money and when you have the money you don't have the time. But thank you so much for sharing it all with me, I love seeing and learning about all you're getting to visit. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I'm so glad you are joining us on our travels. It's so much fun reliving it all here. It truly was a trip we will forever hold in our hearts. ♥
DeleteThose are some views . . . on your drive to Tintagel and on the grounds! I can imagine that descent was challenging. I am not a huge fan of the King Arthur legend, but it is fascinating to wonder about what part is legend and what part is factual.
ReplyDeleteThe wavy roof line of the Old Post Office is certainly unusual, but charming!
What a trip you and Grayden enjoyed for your 50th wedding anniversary! ❤
Thank you so much for your sweet comments, Cheryl. The views in Tintagel, Cornwall were spectacular and so worth the trip! I really enjoyed the Old Post Office. To think this 600 year old building still stands is astonishing. ♥
DeleteAnother enjoyable visit and now you know how steep some of the paths I actively avoid are! You now know what my own coastline looks like, for it is so similar they are often mistaken for each other in an unnamed image. The earliest known reference to King Arthur is as a minor named character in the Mabinogi {Welsh folk tales} and, of course later in Geoffrey of Monmouth's works which in part provided the foundation for Mallory's Le Morte
ReplyDeleteWhat an Anniversary trip you had!
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales.
Deb, I had to take the ride back up this incline. The sights were wonderful and it makes me happy to hear they are similar to your's. Wales is not too far to the north of Tintagel so that makes sense to me. xoxo ♥
DeleteOh yes, 4 pounds to go back up would be well worth it for me. Makes me remember when I was very young going out on Saturday mornings walking downtown Richmond and Churchill area with my grandmother shopping. Some of the steep climbs on sidewalks.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the beautiful old stone buildings, and one in particular is like a few I see in Bath County Virginia. That old stone.
I did get a chuckle at your order of chicken salad sandwich. Never would I have thought it would come like that. But ya know, it is called a chicken salad. Funny.
wonderful old wavy roof lines on some. Great scenery and enjoyed hearing about the history. Great pictures of you and Grayden.
betsy
Betsy, I had to laugh at your thoughts of walking around Richmond as a child. It is quite hilly and I remember it the same as you.
DeleteThe chicken salad sandwich really took me by surprise that day! I really love the traditional chicken salad that is usually served in most English Pubs, but this one was quite different!
The old stone buildings are so prevalent in England and so, so charming. ♥
Oh, wow, putting Cornwall high up on my wish list. I love the little bedroom with the simple furnishings. I find that whenever I like a room in one of those historical places it usually belongs to the most humble member of the household. Not sure why :-)
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Amalia, I will be sharing more of Cornwall in future posts. It is quite lovely and I'm sure you would love it like we did.
DeleteThe darling humble rooms are so sweet. I so agree with your sentiments. xo ♥
Wow what beautiful countryside that that castle is located on. It’s hard to wrap my head around some place like this dating back 1000 years! That cave was huge and I don’t blame you for taking the ride back up! That was an interesting way to present the chicken salad sandwich! The post office building is so interesting. Love that wavy roof. It looks like it’s still a solid built place! That is the most impressive suit of armor I’ve seen. Love the rustic ness of it.
ReplyDeleteLiz, the countryside of Cornwall is so spectacular. The ancient buildings that still stand are truly a testament to their wonderful construction.
DeleteI made note of the chicken salad sandwich in my journal that day so I thought I'd share the oddity of it here.
There was quite a bit of history in the King Arthur Hall. Though it is legend it was presented in very serious manner. ♥
What a pretty place to visit, Martha Ellen. I especially liked the photo of the café with the red flowers overlooking the water. That's so charming. The tic tac toe on the lawn is delightful. I used to play this game with my son all the time. I really enjoy seeing the old bedrooms and how they used to decorate back then. The photo of the copper pot in the window is quaint. And I wonder if I'd be brave enough to walk through that cave. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Thank you, as always, dear Sheri for your sweet comments. Tintagel is gorgeous spot no doubt.
DeleteIt's so fun to see lawn games at quite a few of the gardens in Great Britain. And the flowers from the garden arranged inside is so charming. ♥
I might like this as much or more than almost anything you've shown us -- and I've loved those posts! I've always been intrigued by the Arthurian legend. Legend it may be, but it is a wonderful story. So to see the areas where it may have originated would be fascinating (even if that one spot is a bit touristy!). I adored the National Trust house -- that would be fabulous.I could move in today! Well, maybe not -- but you never know! And oh, that ocean! What a fabulous post, my friend!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, this area exudes the Arthurian legend to the max! You would enjoy it, I'm sure! The National Trust places are wonderful, aren't they? I think living in this beautiful area and the Old Post Office would be great! Thank you for your sweet comments as always. ♥
DeleteMarvelous photos Martha Ellen, beautiful scenery and interesting history. I took note of your chicken salad sandwich :) My niece ordered a soft-shelled crab sandwich over there and I remember asking her was she sure? I remember seeing them here and wondered if they were the same thing. So many American foods have caught on there since I moved away all those years ago, well maybe not chicken salad ;) Anyhow, my niece was so shocked when her sandwich came back as a bun with the little crab legs hanging out of the side. She wouldn't eat it and not being a fan and sacrilegious to crab lovers everywhere, I couldn't eat it either ;) Thank you for another marvelous post.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Denise. That is funny about your niece. I wouldn't have the heart to eat that crab either! I've enjoyed many Coronation Chicken Salad Sandwiches in Great Britain and I just assumed this would be similar. I really don't expect everything to be like at home when traveling. I think that one of the many joys of traveling is to try new things and see amazing places! ♥
DeleteI totally agree and I was a bit miffed when on one trip back they turned my favorite pasty shop into a hamburger place ;) Haven't thought of Coronation Chicken in a long time. This gives me a chance to look through your photos again, so much fun and thank you so much!
DeleteHow dare they replace a pasty shop with a hamburger place! The pasties we had were wonderful! Thank you so much for stopping by my little blog and always leaving such nice comments. I do appreciate it! ♥
DeleteAlways enjoy 'chatting' Martha Ellen, and thank you for being so sweet in your comments :)
DeleteI wanted to come over and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, Martha Ellen. I hope your day is filled with lots of love and lots of good foods. I am thankful for having a blog friend like you. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Thank you, Sheri! We had a lovely Thanksgiving and I do hope you did as well. I've been without my laptop for a while now so it's been hard to stay in touch. Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteI love the tales of King Arthur and I'll never believe he was only a fictional character (but, if he were, wasn't he magnificent! :~) The wavy-roofed old house was grand in its own simple way. What was used to cover the roof? As always, I will end by saying, "Lucky you!" (My granddad used to say, "Luck? I make my own luck! Perhaps, you do too!)
ReplyDeleteMary, I believe the roof of the Old Post Office was made of slate tiles. It is quite popular in England. You would so enjoy Tintagel since I hear you love the tales of King Arthur. We both feel very fortunate to be able to travel. Being able to visit places of our dreams is certainly mind expanding.
DeleteI love the Arthurian legend/story … so many books and films about it too!
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful post with lovely details of your visit - a joy to read and see.
All the best Jan
PS Also meant to wish you a Happy December :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. You should plan a visit if you can to Tintagel. It's such a beautiful area and the legend of King Arthur lives on there! Happy December to you and your family as well!
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