Tintagel and Merlin's Cave, a photo from Cornwall, England

Photographer's Note

Good Morning Everyone,

This is a view of the beach and Merlin's Cave from the ascent to Tintagel Castle.

Tintagel Castle was, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth in his History of the Kings of Britain, written 1139, the birthplace of King Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon and Queen Igraine.

But this is just legend. There is no evidence to either prove or disprove this story.

However, there was some kind of monastic settlement here in the 5th or 6th century, maybe the stronghold of a Celtic king. This would seem entirely possible, as the site would have made an impressive fort and would be almost impenetrable to any enemies attempting to storm the headland, and a finding during an 1998 excavation, increased the possibility of a connection with King Arthur: a slate of 20 by 30 cm with the inscription ARTOGNOV, the Latin version of the British name Arthnou. Its from the 6th century, which is most likely the time when Arthur lived.

This castle fits the legend very well, because of another fact: Merlin's Cave below the castle. Merlin is said to have lived in a cave below the fortress of Tintagel while King Arthur grew up, to be his teacher. In one version of the legend, Arthur was found by Merlin washed ashore in a cave below the castle.

It is both probable and improbable but makes a wonderful story! Visitors must decide themselves what to believe.

Have a lovely day, Bev.

I will post another photograph of Merlin's Cave from the very top of the castle. It gives a good impression of the castle's height.

danos, ikeharel, snunney, Didi, holmertz, PaulVDV, ourania, nikkitta, macjake, ChrisJ, tyro, tatadalou, cornejo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

danos (110407) 2015-07-06 1:51

Hello Bev,
nice the panoramic view of the tiny beach with Merlin's cave to dominating on the right.The excellent light of the day enhance the beauty,the clarity as the details of the scene.A small paradise that i'd like to visit the place.

Have a good day,Danos

Nicou (193814) 2015-07-06 1:57

Hello

quelle vue plongeant sur cette plage sueprbe avec le blanc des vague et le sable blanc quelle cpatage et ensemble avec la roche et les falaises de chaque cфtй qui font cette forme de triangle gйnial.
Bravo et amitiй
Nicou

snunney (130967) 2015-07-06 2:02

Hello Bev,
Truly, the stuff of legends and a very fine photograph to illustrate it! Excellent downwards point of view and a nicely balanced composition. The people on the beach offer a sense of scale. Very good light management with superb colours and clarity. I like how you have left in the strip of sky to give the scene context.
Continues very hot here interspersed by the odd thunderstorm.

ikeharel (114715) 2015-07-06 2:10

Hello Beverly,
The known rough Cornwall coastline offers beautiful photography on its natural coves and rocky shores. Taken this from high point, scaled by people stroll on shore's, and view outwards to the sea. Marvelous nature, and no-less beautiful pic. of.
My best regards,
Ike

dta (98848) 2015-07-06 2:27

Hello Beverley ,
Une belle vue plongeante sur cette superbe plage sauvage de Cornouaille . Les rochers йboulйs lui donnent un aspect assez dramatique .
Amicalement

amaryllis (37047) 2015-07-06 3:03

Bonjour
qu'elle belle vue en plongйe sur ce bel endroit tranquille avec cette petite plage, un endroit sauvage et une belle perspective sur la mer
amicalement
juliette

carlo62 (81265) 2015-07-06 4:10

Ciao Bev
un bellissimo e naturale paesaggio tipico, perlomeno nel mio immaginario, anche se purtroppo non ci sono mai stato.
Eccellente inquadratura, le persone ci offrono la possibilitа di verificare la grandezza del luogo.
Saluti
Carlo

Didi (61591) 2015-07-06 4:15

Hi Bev
Awesome view from a dominant position
I know well this place I like Cornwall views
Warm regards

Sergiom (117241) 2015-07-06 5:58

Bonjour Beverly

Pas facile а atteindre cette plage, mais quel plaisir lorsqu'on y arrive. Les personnages donnent une bonne idйe des dimensions impressionnantes de l'endroit. La lumiиre est belle et fait bien ressortir les dйtails.

Amicalement

Serge

mkamionka (75217) 2015-07-06 6:05

Hi Bev,
this is such a wonderful place! It reminds me my favourite beach in Dublin. Sunsets must be great there! I is facing west isn't it? I like very much the rock formations and how well hidden ace is among the cliffs on both sides.
Beautiful coast,
very encouraging to visit Cornwall!
M

holmertz (103710) 2015-07-06 8:03

Hello Bev,
Sometimes it is very difficult to choose between different photos for an upload. I also have a difficult choice of which one I prefer. As a composition this one is probably slightly more attractive, thanks to the nice curve made by the rocks around the beach and the view of the sea. The WS gives us a better idea of the rocks and the caves. Both photos have fine colours and light and in both cases the handful of persons enliven the views.
Kind regards,
Gert

PaulVDV (63546) 2015-07-06 11:55

Hello Beverley,
A not too easy-to-reach place and probably invisible from at sea, the cave is located excellently in order to keep the legend alive.
I just love such a coastline and even without legend or castle the rugged aspect makes both pictures breathtakingly beautiful.
Best regards, Paul

dkmurphys (79209) 2015-07-07 0:05

Hi Bev,
Spectacular panorama of that small beach. The place looks great, perfect to spent a nice day.

Daniel

lousat (140058) 2015-07-07 4:25

Hi Bev.As you know,beaches are my passion and it's nice to see one so nice and different like that.A great point of view to show us this natural corner,a wild one with a lot of rocks and a magic water colors,impressive sharpness everywhere despite the distance.Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

ourania (51103) 2015-07-07 12:19

Hello Bev,
this place has lots of wild beauty and feels quaint and mysterious. You are offering us fascinating views in both pictures, there are abundant textures and details and the viewer feels like an explorer. The legends add a lot to the allure of this place, I can see the famous characters within the scenery, just where the visitors are. I like the vivid colours and the border of light and shadow. Congratulations and thank you! Thank you for asking after my father, although still very weak, he is getting better.
All the best, have a lovely evening,
Ourania

Gerrit (62042) 2015-07-07 13:47

Hello Beverly,
a wonderful rough coastline and a great view down with those tiny figures providing scale. The colors are beautiful.
thanks and regards,
Gerrit

nikkitta (17070) 2015-07-07 13:49

Hola Bev

Like the note about the place and the panoramic view of it from the vantage upper POV, it created a well organized panoramic in a good curve
Good to add the WS to have an idea about rocks
I saw stairs , so not a lift? nice beach with history
Regards
Maria

macjake (98544) 2015-07-08 0:34

Hi Bev
wow that looks like quite the steep staircase!
I didn't even notice it at first.

its cliche i know, but having the people along the sand really does give an excellent scale perspective.

this would be a heck of a place for photographing the water crashing up on the rocks in a long shutter speed :)

who wouldn't enjoy spending some time here!
sweet looking place, lovely colors in this rustic environment
cheers
craig

Matyas (0) 2015-07-08 0:47

Hello Beverley! Superb place, superb landscape and seascape. Fine point of view. Good cut. Good shadowplay. Nice colours. Original image. Well done!

Silvio1953 (223069) 2015-07-08 5:50

Ciao cara Bev, great POV on fantastic beach, excellent perspective, splendid light and wonderful natural colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ChrisJ (172440) 2015-07-08 6:47

Hello Bev,

Cornwall is on my bucket list for my next trip to the UK. The turquoise cyan color of the sea is lovely. Good sharpness and a fine downward pov. Well framed and composed with excellent sharpness and shadow detail. The warm pink red sand contrasts well against the cooler hues. Tfs.

tyro (30513) 2015-07-08 23:50

Hello Bev,

You really can't stop looking at TE for a second or you miss so many lovely shots - so now I'm catching up again after just a couple of days.

An interesting note you have written - and if you want to read my note here you will learn that Merlin might indeed have been baptised by St. Mungo just a short distance from Peebles!

Anyway, this is a delightful photograph, very well composed indeed with the horizon and just a tiny slice of sky present to help us with orientation and also give a wonderful sense of depth as we peer downwards to the shoreline of this little inlet. The colourfully dressed people down below add to the appeal as well as giving a fine sense of scale.

Lovely light and colours, spot-on exposure and exquisite details and sharpness.

Lovely!

Kind Regards,

John.

tatadalou (7459) 2015-07-13 8:56

Hi Beverley,
The title of your picture has made me smile because, in France, the legend of King Arthur has been turned into a funny short TV broadcast. Otherway, that'a a wonderful place, so wild.
Thanks for the complete and interesting note.
Regards,
Delphine

cornejo (61504) 2015-07-18 11:41

Hi Bev, excellent view of this beautiful cove, well captured by a great pov in this great and beautiful picture. An interesting image with good sharpness, depth and quality. A great job well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good night and good Sunday.
All the best from southern Spain.
Angel.

npecanhuk (79329) 2015-09-03 20:15

Hi Beverley!
Very interesting and attractive place by the sea!
Very beautiful and inviting picture!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, slim black borders, chosen pov and composition are all excellent!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Photo Information

Copyright: Beverley Robinson (Royaldevon) (86526)
Genre: МЕСТА
Medium: ЦВЕТНОЙ
Date Taken: 2013-09-07
Categories: ЕЖЕДНЕВНОЕ, ПРИРОДА
Camera: Nikon D-300, NIKKOR AF-S 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED DX, 62 mm HOYA Circular Polarize
Exposure: f/14.0, 1/100 секунд
More Photo Info: view
Версия: Оригинальная версия, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2015-07-06 1:37