Arthurian Tour

Arthurian Tour through Cornwall

Walk in the footsteps of kings!

Much of Cornwall is associated with the legends of King Arthur, with his mythical birthplace at Tintagel being the most significant.

We start the day visiting ‘King Arthur’s Great Hall’, which can be found in the ancient village of Tintagel; this attraction tells the story of King Arthur, Gwynnever, Uther Pendragon and the knights of the Round Table. It is truly a enchanting and imersive experience. From here, we head onto Tintagel Island itself and explore the castle ruins, seeking out the statue of a King, before making our way to Merlins Cave (If the tide permits!) After lunch in the village, we either head to Slaughter Bridge, the place where Arthur is believed to have died and then onto Dozmary Pool, where Excalibur was retrieved from the lady of the lake. Or, for the adventurous walkers, you can choose to visit St Nectans Glenn, a stunning waterfall that is said to be the place that the knights of the Round Table visited to receive a blessing before heading out in search of the Holy Grail.

Tour Agenda

Map of the Arthurian Tour

  • King Arthurs Great Hall

    Hidden within plain sight, in the heart of the famous Cornish village of Tintagel, stands one of the most unique and interesting buildings in the world. This remarkable building contains paintings by William Hatherall and world famous stained glass windows, all completely dedicated to the immortal legend of King Arthur.

  • Tintagel Castle

    This legendary ruin dates back to the 5th Century but its fame derives from its status as a Seat for Kings and the place of the conception of King Arthur. We explore the headland, walk over the new cantilever bridge, which boasts stunning coastal views, have your photo taken with Gallos, the statue of a king and see ancient artefacts discovered on geological digs from this island’s fascinating past.

  • Merlin’s Cave

    Merlin is said to have lived underneath Tintagel Castle. His atmospheric cave boars deep beneath the Castle ruins and casts incredible light through its slate crevasses. We can explore the cave at low tide and seek out Merlin’s portrait, which is calved into the cliff face.

  • St Nectans Glen

    A fairytale woodland, complete with a babbling stream, ancient oaks and ferns. We follow the river upstream to a magical waterfall, hands down the most spectacular in Cornwall. This is said to be where the knights of the Round Table came to be blessed by the enchanted water before heading off on the quest to find the Holy Grail.

  • Slaughter Bridge

    According to some versions of the Arthurian legends, King Arthur fought Mordred here, and this was the scene where Arthur was mortally wounded in the battle of Comlann.

  • Dozmary Pool

    This mysterious and atmospheric lake, deep within Bodmin Moor’s National Park, is said to be the place where King Arthur rowed out to the lady of the lake and received the sword Excalibur. The perfect place to finish your day with our showstopping cream tea picnic on it shores.

Add a Visit to Glastonbury (for an additional cost)

  • For the full Arthurian Experience, we can drive and then guide you around Glastonbury Abbey and Tor.

    Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset is seen as the burial site for the Legendary King Arthur and Gwynnever. The Abbey and monastery allegedly discovered a burial stone with the words “Here lies Arthur, King and one large male and small female bones were located here. The legends also state that the Holy Grail was buried at the bottom of Glastonbury Tor, possibly at the Chalice Well, which has, and still is regarded as a natural spring that delivers healing water.

    Glastonbury was the leading pilgrimage site in Britain in the 12th Century with the wealthiest monastery in the country at the time. To this day, this site is still a magical place to visit and is seen as a spiritual place of well-being.

    The Abbey is accessible to all and is the perfect place to finish your Arthurian Tour. For those who like stunning views and want to experience the endless views on Glastonbury Tor can take a short hike up to the top to soak it all in. (Approx 30 mins at a leisurely pace)