About Tintagel Old Post Office
Tintagel Old Post Office is one of Cornwall's most characterful historic buildings. Standing on Fore Street in the heart of Tintagel, this Grade I listed building dates from around 1380 and has more than 600 years of history. Despite its familiar name, the building began life as a medieval farmhouse and only became a post office many centuries later.
Today, Tintagel Old Post Office is cared for by the National Trust and offers visitors a remarkably well-preserved example of traditional Cornish domestic architecture — uneven floors, low beams, thick slate walls, an open hall and a distinctive wavy slate roof, all giving a fascinating insight into life in medieval and later Cornwall.
History
The building was originally constructed as a substantial farmhouse or small manor house, thought to date from around 1380, with three rooms arranged around a central through-passage. It was altered and extended over the centuries that followed — including the addition of its distinctive slate roof during the Tudor period — leaving an unusual mixture of medieval, Tudor and later features. For much of its history it remained a home; during the Victorian period, parts of the property were also used for small businesses including a greengrocer, draper, dressmaker and shoemaker.
The building's postal connection began in 1844, following the introduction of the Penny Post, when a Letter Receiving Office was established here. Sources differ slightly on exactly how long that use lasted — the National Trust records the village letter-receiving office here as running from around 1870 to 1878, while Historic England records postal use from 1844 until 1892 — but the Victorian post room and postal equipment on display today tell that story, alongside a rare Victorian post box built into the outside wall.
By the end of the 19th century the building had fallen into poor repair and was threatened with demolition. Put up for auction in 1895, it was bought by local artist Catherine Johns, who was determined to save it; architect Detmar Blow carried out important restoration work in 1896. The campaign to save the building led to its preservation by the National Trust, which has cared for Tintagel Old Post Office since 1903 — one of its earliest acquisitions in Cornwall. It was listed Grade I in 1952.
What to See
- The Post Room — Victorian postal equipment and the story of the building's time as Tintagel's letter-receiving office.
- The Medieval Hall — rising through the full height of the building, with its original open roof structure.
- The Wavy Slate Roof — one of the building's most recognisable features, a striking example of traditional Cornish craftsmanship.
- The Cottage Garden — a peaceful Victorian-style garden at the rear of the property, with seating and views of the roofline.
- The Victorian Post Box — a rare surviving example built into the building's outside wall.
Visiting Information
- Address
- Fore Street, Tintagel, Cornwall, PL34 0DB
- Opening times
- Currently open 10.30am–5pm; the property is generally a seasonal attraction and may close over winter. Days and times vary through the year, so check the official Tintagel Old Post Office page before travelling.
- Admission
- Adult £8.00, child (5–17) £4.00, family (2 adults + up to 3 children) £20.00. Free for National Trust members. Prices correct at time of writing — check the official site for current charges.
- Facilities
- A small shop in the Post Room sells souvenirs, postcards and second-hand books. There is no café on site, though visitors may picnic in the cottage garden.
- Parking
- There is no National Trust car park at the Old Post Office. Several pay-and-display village car parks are available nearby on and around Fore Street. The nearest National Trust parking is at Glebe Cliff, near St Materiana's Church, a longer walk into the village centre.
- Accessibility
- A two-storey Grade I listed building with uneven floors, steps, low beams and narrow doorways. A portable wheelchair ramp helps with the entrance step and ground-floor access; the first floor is reached only by narrow, steep historic stairs. A portable hearing loop is available at the Post Room counter, and large-print and Braille information can be provided on request. There are no visitor toilets on site — the nearest, including an accessible toilet, are around 50 metres away at Trevena Square. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs cannot enter the house, though visitors can take turns supervising dogs outside.
- Contact
- 01840 770024 • tintageloldpo@nationaltrust.org.uk
Opening times, admission prices and facility availability change seasonally — please confirm details on the official National Trust site before your visit.