If strange and eccentric is your thing, then you'll not go wrong in the imposing Camelot Castle in Tintagel. Perched on the cliffs like a giant sandcastle overlooking the ethereal ruins of the real castle, this is a Victorian station terminus hotel of grand proportions. The station and rail line have long since gone, but the owners of the hotel (none other than John Mappin, heir of Mappin & Webb and his stunning wife Irena from Kazakhstan) have maintained the grandiose Gothic feel of this monstrous building in a recent refurbishment. Beware! The owners and the residential artist Ted Stourton are scientologists ... but don't let it put you off. Other than some gently crazy conversations about Super Power around the fabulous King Arthur's round table in front of a roaring fire (and no, I was neither converted nor felt intimidated), this really is a friendly, quirky find. You can just pop-in for coffee or have the full-blown wedding package, but either way, your dogs and your cats will be as welcome as you are. Oh - and the whole place is stuffed full of Ted's original (in every sense of the word) art work. He may even take you down to the bowels of the castle to show you his lightbox. Honest! It's an advertised option. Don't forget to take the whole thing with a light heart and absolutely make sure you go around Tintagel Castle. It'll hurricane the cobwebs away.
www.camelotcastle.com
Tintagel, Cornwall England PL34 0DQ
+44 (0)1840 770202
Google map: bit.ly/pZOSGH
A lovely holiday park which is very quiet with beautiful views.
West Downs
Delabole
Cornwall
PL339DX
Tel: 01895234144
www.self-catering-cornwall.org.uk
Awesome views whatever the time of year. Mystery and magic - just the best place to go in Cornwall - fantastic!
Quite simply the best pasties anywhere - freshly made, massive and gorgeous! Also fascinating to watch - they are made in front of customers and in full view of interested spectators on the street.
Tintagel, Cornwall
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