Merlin's Cave - Tintagel, Cornwall
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SMacB
N 50° 40.079 W 004° 45.558
30U E 375675 N 5614380
Merlin's Cave is the name given to a cave located beneath Tintagel Castle, Cornwall. It is 100 metres (330 ft) long, passing completely through Tintagel Island from Tinagel Haven on the east to West Cove on the west.
Waymark Code: WMT9H4
Location: South West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/19/2016
Views: 3
"Geoffrey of Monmouth gives Merlin a key role in the conception of Arthur at Tintagel. Tennyson made Merlin's Cave famous in his Idylls of King Arthur. Tennyson described waves bringing the infant Arthur to the shore, and Merlin carrying him to safety. Local legend has long associated this cave with Merlin and Arthur.
Merlin's Cave is on the right side of the rock at Tintagel (if you are standing facing the sea). It is very atmospheric, and one might indeed imagine Merlin approaching, with his staff held up to light up the darkness of the cave.
The steps down to the cave have been washed away and are blocked off. The only way down today is 'via a wooden staircase and a short clamber over some'[ed] rocks to the beach. The cave fills with water at high tide, but has a sandy floor and is explorable at low tide. The cave goes all the way through the rock, and there is a smaller cave off it that can be entered on the southern side."
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