Short answer: Tintagel Castle tickets are sold in three English Heritage price levels depending on the date, and booking early saves up to 15%. Members go free. It is open 10am to 5pm daily until 24 October, then shorter days. There are 140 steep steps on the exit route. Park in Tintagel village and walk about 15 to 30 minutes. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Tintagel Castle is an English Heritage site on a steep stretch of the north Cornwall coast, reached by a footbridge to the island and a lot of steps. This guide covers what you pay, when it opens, where to park and what catches people out.
English Heritage sells Tintagel tickets in three price levels, Standard, Saver and Super Saver, depending on the date. Its 2026/27 price list puts Standard on Sundays to Thursdays from 23 May to 31 August, Saver on most other spring and autumn days, and Super Saver from 2 November to 16 March. The booking page for your date shows the actual price.
English Heritage's trade price list (before any group discount) gives a feel for the range. An adult ticket runs from £15.38 at Super Saver to £19.29 at Standard, and a child ticket from £7.65 to £9.60. We could not read the individual gate prices, so treat these as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
Book through the English Heritage Tintagel page or call 0370 333 1181.
The 2026/27 English Heritage schedule for Tintagel runs like this:
Last entry on the English Heritage page is 4pm in the main season. The castle can close in high winds or bad weather, so check the English Heritage page on the day. Our guide to Tintagel Castle in winter goes into the cold-season days and the bridge in wind.
English Heritage says the one-way route out of the site climbs 140 steep steps. Crossing back over the bridge instead is step-free. The path out to the Gallos statue adds more up and down, and there are steps down to the beach. Paths are uneven, with steep slopes and sheer drops, so wear proper shoes.
The footbridge opened in 2019 and links the mainland to the island. There are no toilets on the island once you cross. Toilets, including a disabled toilet and baby changing, are beside the visitor centre and shop.
English Heritage has no car park at the castle. It points visitors to pay and display car parks in Tintagel village, one on Atlantic Road and two on Fore Street, about 600 metres from the site. English Heritage does not run them, so prices and payment methods are set by each operator. Bring coins and a phone with signal, and read the machine.
The The Castle Car Park on Atlantic Road is rated 4.2 from 382 Google reviews. The Cornwall Council Tintagel Visitor Centre long stay car park is rated 4.2 from 51 Google reviews and has toilets on site. Both fill up in peak season, and our Tintagel parking guide covers the fallbacks.
English Heritage describes a limited shuttle service because vehicle access along the track is reduced. At the time of writing it was exit only, running from the shop and café area to the foot of the pedestrian path. You still walk the last 100 metres up a steep slope. Do not plan your visit around it, as it is limited and queues can build.
Allow 15 to 30 minutes on foot from the village car parks to the footbridge entrance. English Heritage's FAQ says 15 minutes, while its planning page suggests at least half an hour. Add more time if anyone has limited mobility.
English Heritage says to allow at least a couple of hours on site, plus the walk in and out. Add time for the beach and Merlin's Cave if the tide is out, and for a stop at the Beach Café. Most families will find three to four hours door to door a sensible plan.
Yes. English Heritage says dogs are welcome throughout the site but must be on a lead because of the steps, cliff edges and nesting birds. Water is available at the café on request.
It is hard going. The terrain is rugged and steep, and English Heritage recommends watching its video and reading the access information before you visit. English Heritage does not say whether buggies are practical, and our own view is that they are not. If you have little ones, see our Tintagel alternatives for strollers and toddlers.
The castle is rated 4.6 from 19,688 Google reviews. Reviewers praise the setting, the bridge and the beach. A few say the ruins are limited and that they felt the price was high, and some skipped the ticket and walked the free coast paths instead. Our view is that it is worth paying if you like big views and a bit of effort. If not, see what to do in Tintagel besides the castle or our rainy day ideas, and the wider Tintagel town guide.
Prices depend on the date (Standard, Saver or Super Saver), and English Heritage says booking early saves up to 15%. Members are free. Check the booking page for your date.
In the pay and display car parks in Tintagel village, one on Atlantic Road and two on Fore Street, about 600 metres from the castle. English Heritage does not run them.
English Heritage says the one-way exit route climbs 140 steep steps. Going back over the bridge instead is step-free.
Yes, on a lead. English Heritage says dogs are welcome throughout because of steps, cliff edges and nesting birds, and the café will give water on request.
English Heritage says at least a couple of hours on site, plus 15 to 30 minutes each way on foot from the village car parks.
Yes, on reduced days. From 2 November it opens Wednesday to Sunday, then Friday to Sunday in December, and it is closed 24 to 26 December.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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