There was a fascination with the Arthurian legends during the Victorian era, and the ruins of the castle became a tourist destination.
The modern day village of Tintagel was known as Trevena until the 1850s when it was found convenient by the Post Office to use the name of the parish rather than the name of the village.
Tintagel is only the name of the headland; Tintagel Head itself is the extreme southwest point of Castle Island and the castle ruins are partly on the 'island' and partly on the adjoining mainland.
The head of the island pointing out to sea is Pen Diu (Cornish: Penn Du "Black Head").

The Rev. R. B. Kinsman (d. 1894) was honorary constable and built the courtyard wall and a guide was employed to conduct visitors into the castle.
Until his time, the steps were unsafe on either side of the isthmus, though the plateau could be reached by those who grazed sheep there.
From 1870, a lead mine was worked for a short time near Merlin's Cave.
In the 20th century, the site was maintained by the Office of Works and its successors (from 1929 onwards).
In 1975, the access across the isthmus was improved by the installation of a wooden bridge.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, nothing had been excavated except the chapel, and so ideas were given currency such as the garden being a cemetery and King Arthur's Footprint being a place for King Arthur to leap to the mainland. "
King Arthur's Footprint" is a hollow in the rock at the highest point of Tintagel Island's southern side.
It is not entirely natural, having been shaped by human hands at some stage.
It may have been used for the inauguration of kings or chieftains, as the site has a long history stretching back to the Dark Ages.

In 1999 there was some controversy regarding Tintagel Castle and other sites in Cornwall under the management of English Heritage.
Members of the pressure group Revived Cornish Stannary Parliament removed several signs because they objected to the use of the name "English Heritage", stating that Cornwall is rightfully a nation on its own.
Three men involved in removing the signs were bound over for a year for £500 each and to pay English Heritage £4,500 compensation.
There was a fascination with the Arthurian legends during the Victorian era, and the ruins of the castle became a tourist destination. The modern day village of Tintagel was known as Trevena until the 1850s when it was found convenient by the Post Office to use the name of the parish rather than the name of the village. Tintagel is only the name of the headland; Tintagel Head itself is the extreme southwest point of Castle Island and the castle ruins are partly on the 'island' and partly on the adjoining mainland. The head of the island pointing out to sea is Pen Diu (Cornish: Penn Du "Black Head").
The Rev. R. B. Kinsman (d. 1894) was honorary constable and built the courtyard wall and a guide was employed to conduct visitors into the castle. Until his time, the steps were unsafe on either side of the isthmus, though the plateau could be reached by those who grazed sheep there. From 1870, a lead mine was worked for a short time near Merlin's Cave. In the 20th century, the site was maintained by the Office of Works and its successors (from 1929 onwards). In 1975, the access across the isthmus was improved by the installation of a wooden bridge.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, nothing had been excavated except the chapel, and so ideas were given currency such as the garden being a cemetery and King Arthur's Footprint being a place for King Arthur to leap to the mainland. "King Arthur's Footprint" is a hollow in the rock at the highest point of Tintagel Island's southern side. It is not entirely natural, having been shaped by human hands at some stage. It may have been used for the inauguration of kings or chieftains, as the site has a long history stretching back to the Dark Ages.
In 1999 there was some controversy regarding Tintagel Castle and other sites in Cornwall under the management of English Heritage. Members of the pressure group Revived Cornish Stannary Parliament removed several signs because they objected to the use of the name "English Heritage", stating that Cornwall is rightfully a nation on its own. Three men involved in removing the signs were bound over for a year for £500 each and to pay English Heritage £4,500 compensation.
Tintagel Castle