Bossiney havenBeach

Access across the bridge to the island is by timed ticket, and English Heritage offers a discount if you book ahead. Once on the island you can explore at your own pace. Allow at least half an hour to walk from the village car parks to the footbridge, as your time slot starts there. The site can close in bad weather and high winds.

There is no parking at the castle. Use the pay and display car parks in the village, about 600 metres away, such as the council car park at Tintagel Visitors Centre on Bossiney Road, PL34 0AA, which has 106 spaces. The village car parks get very busy, so allow plenty of time.

The castle has many steps, a steep slope up from the vehicle track and uneven paths. A limited shuttle runs from the shop and cafe area to the base of the pedestrian path, leaving a final 100 metres to walk. The beach is reached by steep steps and has no lifeguards.

The Port William sits on the cliffs above Trebarwith Strand, PL34 0HB, about 2.5 miles south of Tintagel. It is a St Austell Brewery inn with sea views, a beer terrace, food and eight bedrooms, and dogs are welcome. Parking at the pub is very limited and the track down is rough.

Visit Tintagel Castle and Merlin's Cave, then walk up to St Materiana's Church on the cliffs. See the Old Post Office, a medieval house run by the National Trust, and King Arthur's Great Halls. Further afield, try Trebarwith Strand at low tide or the waterfall at St Nectan's Kieve.

Trebarwith Strand has about 800 metres of sand at low tide, but the sea covers it quickly as the tide comes in and people are cut off every year. The RNLI has provided lifeguards on the beach. Check the tide times and swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty.