Hi all-
Does anyone have any advice on a weekend trip to Tintagel? My friends I am staying with in London are big King Arthur fans, but they haven't been there yet, so I was researching a weekend trip there from London in May. First off, I was surprised it was a 5 hour train ride, and then a 30 minute taxi...I guess I didn't think the train trip was anymore than a few hours. We most likely won't rent a car. Has anyone gone for a weekend? Thinking of going from Friday-Sunday or from Saturday-Monday, assuming my crew will want to stay 2 nights, but obviously by the train time there, we need to.
At first I was just thinking the castle one day and a couple other sites the next....but now I am seeing information on the Cornish Heritage Safaris, and now I am getting all confused with too many beautiful pictures and other things to see, and now I can't focus on what to spend no more than 2.5 days on.
Any suggestions on a weekend trip there?
Posted by
NSW Australia
703 posts
it would take time to get there, the roads in cornwall are very windy and narrow. we drove there while spending some time staying in padstow. we were lucky enough to be at port isaac when they were filming doc martin. the whole area is Extremely scenic. even if your not doc martin fans ( and have transport ?) then try and find time to see port isaac.
we were at tintagel on a beautiful day, great experience, and then the fog/rain came over as we were leaving.
its a fair drive from London, shame you can't spend more time there.
Posted by
Land of La
8667 posts
I think you and your friends need to talk about this. Is this an absolute MUST SEE for all of you? Truly a MUST SEE? Train travel can be expensive and lengthy depending on your final destination. Calculate your expenses for transport, Accomodation, possible rental car rates and site fees, not to mention food and drink. Also how long are you in London? Is Experiencing all that London offers the focal point of your trip or is the mythical King?
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
A weekend trip to Cornwall via public transport is a tall order especially out to Tintagel. It's quite remote and will be quite a journey.
I would strongly recommend renting a car. You'll get there much faster and be able to see a lot more without waiting around for buses and trains to arrive on their schedule, not yours. There really is a lot to see in that area and it would be a shame to be tied to a public transport schedule which, in this area, is a bit thin in places.
Posted by
OP
Austin, Tx
149 posts
Claudia- I have spent 5 months previously in England and this trip is a month, so I am open to it, as I have seen quite a bit elsewhere.
We are discussing car rental, but living in London, they have never had a car there, so they are semi-reluctant. I am hoping they might decide to go in on that. But regardless, this is a place they have wanted to visit since they moved to England.
Posted by
2404 posts
Most people would go to Cornwall for at least 5 days to make the journey worthwhile. https://www.visitcornwall.com
Devon - the next county to the east, also has loads of interesting places. http://www.visitdevon.co.uk
Posted by
High Wycombe, Bucks, United Kingdom
70 posts
Quick caution here: if you're going west of the Tamar in May, I'd recommend avoiding both the bank holiday weekends as even if it's raining, a quarter of the population of the home counties will head into Cornwall. If the sun comes out, it'll be closer to half...