Bossiney Mound

Another piece of Boscastle and Tintagel history with the echoes of Arthurian legend ringing through it, is Bossiney Mound. Found beside the beach between the two locations, Bossiney Mound is said to be the burial site for the round table, belonging to King Arthur and his knights.

Legend has it that one Midsummer’s Night when Arthur and his knights return, the round table will rise from the ground! On a more proven note, Bossiney was the parliamentary seat of Sir Francis Drake, and in 1585 Bossiney Mound became the scene of his election speech. Bossiney Mound is found close to the chapel at Jill Pool.

The Boscastle Flood

Although a piece of fairly recent Boscastle history, the Boscastle Flood was one of the most significant events to happen in the area. Disaster struck the village in August 2004 when 8 hours of severe rainfall caused flash floods throughout.

Although luckily no lives were lost in the floods, they caused extensive damage throughout the village and the neighbouring village of Crackington Haven, and the community spirit that pulled the residents through made national news. Boscastle has recovered quickly from the flood damage, and the businesses and their owners welcome visitors again, with barely a hint of the disaster to be seen.

Thomas Hardy

Although the link between Thomas Hardy and Boscastle is reasonably unknown, his connection with the village inspired one of his most famous poems.It's easy to see why too, as the area is stunning.

Hardy first worked in Boscastle as an architect, and renovated St Juliots Church.

Whilst in the village, he fell in love with Emma Gifford and they eventually married after 4 years of courting. Emma died 30 years later, and Hardy returned to Boscastle to write some of his best-loved poems – including ‘A Pair of Blue Eyes’.

Tintagel Castle and King Arthur

Tintagel history starts with Tintagel Castle. This romantic ruin dates back to roman times, and has always been claimed as the birthplace of the legendary knight King Arthur. Evidence has been found on the site to support those who believe this is the castle from the tales, not least the cave at the foot of the cliffs that many agree to be Merlin’s Cave. Whether or not the castle’s role in the legend is true, it’s a vital piece of Tintagel’s history.

The 13 century castle was probably built by Richard, the Earl of Cornwall and brother of Henry III, as he owned the land from 1234. Its crumbling state indicates that Tintagel Castle was not used beyond 14 century, as the Great Hall seems to have been roofless since then, although the site it stands on was used for tin mining by the romans long before it stood.