My passion for Cornwall - Free2Read

wildBoscastleBoscastle nestles in a scenic rocky inlet onthe dramatic north coast of Cornwall. Visitorsusually head for the harbour but there is farmore to discover in this unique place.Boscastle Pottery was established in 1967 byTintagelTintagel is best known for itsconnection with King Arthur andits many shops, inns and housesreflect this with Arthurianconnotations in their names.The dramatic setting of thelegend is unsurpassed with theCastle Ruins spanning from themainland to the Island and thepanoramic rugged coast line ofnorth Cornwall.A short walk along the cliffbrings you to Tintagel Castleand Merlin’s Cave. TintagelCastle is steeped in legendand mystery; said to be thebirthplace of King Arthur.With a history stretching asfar back as the Romans, Tintagel Castle isone of the most iconic visitor attractions inthe south west.Joined to the mainland by a narrowneck of land, Tintagel Island faces the fullforce of the Atlantic. On the mainlanditself, the remains of the medieval castlerepresent only one phase in a long historyof occupation. Even before Richard, Earl ofCornwall, built his castle in 1233, Tintagelwas already associated in legend as theplace where King Arthur’s father UtherPendragon was seduced by his motherQueen Igraine. Indeed Richard’s castle wasprobably deliberately built to reinforce hisconnections with Arthur and the ancientrulers of Cornwall.The remains of the 13th century castleare breathtaking. Steep stone steps, stoutwalls and rugged windswept cliff edgesencircle the great hall, where Richard, Earlof Cornwall, once feasted.Roger Irving Little who has since been joinedby his son, Tim. It is situated in the Old Bakeryand specialises in Mocha ware.The Museum of Witchcraft in located in theHarbour at Boscastle, and houses the world’sNORTH CORNWALLDue to the geography of thelocal area, access to the castleis via at least 100 steep steps.Surfaces in the castle includegrass, gravel, cobbles andflagstones.The island element ofthe site is a natural Cornishheadland which includesseveral cliffs. Parts of thecastle can be viewed fromGlebe Cliff - the National Trusthas set aside an area besidethe church for this purpose.A Land Rover service(April - October) can takevisually impaired and disabledpeople to the exhibition andshop (additional charge). Noneed to book, except for largegroups - please contact thesite in advance.largest collection of witchcraft related artefactsand regalia. It was opened in 1951 by occultexpert Cecil Williamson, a Devon man with alifetime of experience in witchcraft both hereand in Africa. It’s open all year round.The site of Bottreaux Castle at the top end ofthe village dates back to 1100 AD, and the viewsover Boscastle are magnificent.The castle, from which Boscastle gained itsname, has sadly vanished but it is said thatmuch of the village was built from its stone.Indeed there are stone windows in the famousWellington Hotel in the village that are reputedto have come from the Castle. A tiny openingand a road near here takes you down pastMinster church through a valley to Lesnewthand St. Juliot’s Church, which is where thenovelist Thomas Hardy met the love of his lifeEmma while working as an architect on thechurch tower.Cornwall Tourism Magazine in association with www.cornwalltouristpass.com discover the extraordinary 31