Tintagel in Cornwall is mainly a ruin now – but many years ago it may have been the home of one of English history’s most famous figures: King Arthur.
Who Was King Arthur?
As you may remember Arthur was the poor boy who pulled the sword Excalibur from a rock, thus proving his right to the throne of England.
The stories of Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table – and the stories of the Lady of the Lake, Generviere, Lancelot and the rest – are some of the most popular medieval tales.
Although little of the original castle remains – other than its foundations and a small number of walls – the castle’s current owners have done much to provide visitors with a taste of what it must have been like in those days – not least by a series of sculptures commissioned to show off some of the stories. Here’s one of King Arthur himself:
Every summer, the castle becomes the home of thousands of Arthurian enthusiasts who come to experience the days of King Arthur and his knights.
Tintagel is a great place to visit – but so are some of the many other castles in England. Here are some of the many others (some well known, others less so) that you might like to explore too.
More Great English Castles:
More Great English Castles:
Norwich Castle
The 900-year-old Norwich Castle is one of Norwich’s most beloved landmarks. Originally built by the Normans as a royal palace, the castle was later used as a prison.
Today, the castle is home to exquisite collections of fine art, antiques, and the collections of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum collections.
Ludlow Castle, Shropshire
First a Norman fortress, Ludlow Castle was improved upon for centuries and eventually became a royal palace. Originally, the fortification served to hold back the Welsh.
Today, the castle is open for all to enjoy.
Barnard Castle, County Durham
Sitting high on a rock above the River Tees, the Barnard Castle is named for its founder, Bernard de Balliol.
First built in the 12th century, the castle was later the property of Richard III.
Visitors to the estate are able to enjoy the castle’s famed ‘sensory garden,’ which contains a variety of scented plants and tactile-rich objects.
Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
Less than 100 miles from London, the stately Warwick Castle is known for its superb medieval interior and great period re-enactments.
The Castle has been through a lot over the years. A few notable moments include when it was attacked in 1264, the siege of Warwick Castle in 1642, and the fire that tore through the castle in 1871. Despite all of these setbacks, the castle has endured throughout history and still stands today.
It was kept by the Earls of Warwick before becoming the private residence of the Greville Family until 1978, when it became the property of the Tussauds Group, who later became Merlin Entertainment Group, in 2007.
Dover Castle, Kent
Dover Castle is one of the most iconic castles in England. It also has the distinction of being among the oldest; it was originally fortified by William the Conqueror following the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight
At the heart of the Isle of Wight is the romantic castle of Carisbrooke. The glorious castle has been many things over its long history.
Once an armed fortress, the castle has also been a king’s prison and a royal summer retreat.</