Crackington & Tintagel

The coastline around Crackington Haven and Tintagel is dominated by dramatic geology. High, folded cliffs of Carboniferous Culm shale and sandstone form a rugged profile, with rocky outcrops and sheer drops to the sea. Inland, the landscape rises into rolling moorland, cut by steep, wooded valleys known locally as 'gills'. The area's exposed position means the weather is often changeable, with sea mists and Atlantic winds shaping the vegetation.

The village of Tintagel is intrinsically linked to the ruins of its 13th-century castle, built on a dramatic headland separated from the mainland by a deep gorge. The site's legendary association with King Arthur draws visitors, but the physical experience of crossing the footbridge to the island is a defining one. The nearby church of St Materiana, perched on the cliffs, is of similar historic significance. Crackington Haven is a smaller coastal settlement centred on a pebble beach, flanked by the distinctive folded cliffs of Strangles and Cambeak.