Part of English Heritage, Tintagel Castle is more a ruin than a castle these days, but nonetheless, it’s an exciting opportunity to get involved with the history, myths and exceptional scenery at this spot that’s inextricably linked to the legend of King Arthur.  Set on a coastline that has inspired artists and writers for centuries, see ancient artefacts and explore the history of the castle and the legends that have shaped its story, as well as learning about its time as a royal stronghold, thriving trading post and the setting for romantic stories.  Prices start at £7.90 for adults who are not members, and £4.70 for children.

Visit the sacred site of St Nectan's Glen and see how the river Trevillet has carved its way through the slate to create a magnificent 60 foot waterfall and punched a hole through the original kieve (basin). Access this area of outstanding natural beauty through an ancient woodland walk along the banks of the river. Arrive at the hermitage and enjoy a well-deserved cream tea or coffee before wondering down to the waterfall to experience one of Cornwall’s hidden treasures. Prices start from £5.95 for an Adult and £4.70 for a child.

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A magic experience to enjoy while you’re on holiday in Cornwall, the Museum of Witchcraft is in the village of Boscastle and was the creation of Cecil Williams whose fascination with the subject started in childhood.  He set up the Cornish museum in 1960, saying it was three miles from a prehistoric maze stone carved into a living rock face, ‘proof that from ancient times man and his magic making with the world of spirit were active in this area’.  Today you can visit to explore the collections or enjoy seasonal events such as candlelit evenings and Halloween at the museum.

Set in 230 acres on the North Cornwall coast, Bowood Park offers year round play and great value for money.  Easily accesibly from popular destinations such as Padstow, Tintagel and Port Isaac and well worth a visit. 

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For an action-packed, adrenaline-filled day of adventure, try your hand a paintballing, outdoor laser tag or combat archery. A purpose-built UKPSF accredited site set in 20 acres, Big Dunks Paintball offers a great day out for any group, big or small. Younger children can also take part in child-friendly 'Splatmaster' paintballing.

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A excellent place to stop for a drink or bite to eat after exploring Tintagel, King Arthurs Arms is a traditional pub serving home cooked food and a good selection of local ales and other drinks.

King Arthurs Arms, Fore Street, Tintagel PL34 ODA (T: 01840 770628)   

Located just before the entrance to Tintagel Castle with live music often playing.

Via Facebook - The Wootons Inn, Fore Street, Tintagel, Cornwall (T:01840 770170)

Sit back, relax and watch the world go by at Charlie’s restaurant and delicatessen located in heart of Tintagel. Serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea Monday- Saturday, food is expertly cooked to order using the very best Cornish ingredients, complimented with a selection of locally produced wines and drinks, with the emphasis on seasonal, local & artisan. 

Charlie's Fore Street, Tintagel, PL34 0DA (T: 01840 779500) 

Get your taste buds tingling at Vega and enjoy 100% vegan food and drink, using organic, Fairtrade ingredients wherever possible. They offer a tapas menu allowing you to try a selection of different dishes as well as a core menu offering curries, pasta dishes and more. Open Tuesday- Sunday in the summer season. 

Vega Tintagel, PL34 0AH (T: 01840 770460) 

With an offering of delicious food with exquisite views, the Beach Café at Tintagel Castle is a fantastic place to relax and refuel after a busy day exploring the castle ruins. With scrumptious cakes, coffees and light lunches along with beautiful interiors and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to lunch or enjoy a Cornish cream tea while watching the waves crash against the cliffs below.

The Beach Cafe, Tintagel Castle, PL34 OHE (T: 01840 770328)

In the shadow of Tintagel Castle, Tintagel Beach is small and often overlooked, barely accessible via a scrabble down the cliff path.  To the north of the beach there’s a waterfall and to the south is Merlin's Cave, a 300ft long tunnel passing under Tintagel Island and castle that’s only accessible at low tide.  Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, and the beauty of the place is its remoteness – just you, the beach and the sea, so there aren’t any facilities nearby basically.

Just a mile along the road from Tintagel lies Bossiney Cove, a beautiful hidden gem which is completely covered at high tide. Access to the beach is via a footpath over some farmland and then by steep steps down to the small sandy beach. At the right hand side of the cove there is a great cave to explore that is 60 feet high at the entrance, also see if you can spot the elephant rock hidden in the cliff face! This beach is dog friendly all year and parking can be found in a nearby layby at the top.

Two miles from Tintagel, Trebarwith Strand Beach on the north Coast of Cornwall is easily accessible and is owned by the National Trust.  A long stretch of sand, it’s backed by flat rocks and steep cliffs, but check the tides before you visit because people often get cut off in the summer months.  Once there, there are caves to explore and rock pools containing a wealth of sea life.  It’s been the setting for a number of films in its time, but these days it’s all about swimming (when lifeguards are on duty between May and September) and exploring.  Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, and there are two car parks – the main one is a bit of a walk away, and a smaller one is closer to the beach.  There’s also a handful of roadside parking spaces.

Best known as a surf beach, Tregardock Beach is only accessible by footpath, which offers beautiful views of the water and Port Isaac as you head down.  It is quite a stroll and the terrain is bumpy, so it’s not an ideal beach to visit with children.  The path can also get quite muddy, so keep an eye on the weather.  There’s a seasonal ban on dogs from Easter to September, and there aren’t any facilities in the immediate vicinity of the beach.  When the tide goes out, several small beaches become one long stretch of sand, and there’s a waterfall cascading down the cliffs at the back of the beach as well as caves to explore, so it really is a little paradise hidden in the landscape.  Because it’s not easy to access, it’s usually quiet at this beach, but parking along the roadside near the farm at Treligga is very limited, so it’s a good idea to head over as early as possible and make sure you don’t get cut off at high tide.

A sheltered beach on the north Cornwall coast, Port Gaverne Beach is in a narrow cove just east of Port Isaac.  It’s comprised of sand and shingle with lots of rock pools to explore at low tide.  In the summer months it can get quite busy given the popularity of the location and its suitability for families.  Surrounding walks along the cliff path are delightful and at high tide the beach is favoured by divers.  There’s also a slipway and it’s sometimes used to launch boats because of the easy access from the road.  Thanks to it proximity to Port Isaac half a mile away facilities and restaurants are nearby, and the beach welcomes dogs all year round.  You can also park in the village although there is limited road parking by the beach itself.