Hi there

Welcome, reader! I use this space to share my travel, books I'm into, and food. Enjoy your wanderings.

"So Merlin actually lived in this cave?"

"So Merlin actually lived in this cave?"

One of the highlights of our weekend away was a stop at Tintagel Castle. Located in Cornwall, this spot is supposedly the birthplace of King Arthur. A once magnificent castle stood on the rocky coastline, but today all that remains is ruins. Located underneath this grand cliffside is a mysterious cave. It is rumored that Merlin lived in the hallow until Arthur was born. 

We started by following our fearless group leader Tony down the road to the starting point. 

Hi Tony!

Hi Tony!

When we made it around the last curve, we were treated to this glorious view!

clear blue waters of Tintagel

clear blue waters of Tintagel

We saw a sneak peak of Merlin's cave before we ascended to the castle ruins. Don't worry, a full tour of the cave is to come...

merlincavetitangel.jpg

Step after step we climbed to the top.

hiketintagel.jpg
Ruins of Tintagel

Ruins of Tintagel

Can you spot the little red kayaker?

Can you spot the little red kayaker?

DSC00953.JPG
Hidden ruins in the grass

Hidden ruins in the grass

DSC00960.JPG
DSC00968.JPG
Ashley and I resting at the top

Ashley and I resting at the top

Chloe enjoyed playing daredevil for the afternoon and gave me multiple heart attacks while precariously posing.

tintagelheight.jpg

The rocky coastline is truly stunning!

DSC00991.JPG

Finally we made our way back down to the beach to explore the shore and the CAVE!

DSC01023.JPG
Standing outside the CAVE!

Standing outside the CAVE!

I was really geeking out over it! I was one of the lucky few who wore waterproof shoes, so nothing could stop me from wading in.

"I really hope there aren't any snakes in here."

"I really hope there aren't any snakes in here."

tintagelcavemerlin.jpg

Photo op in front of a waterfall on a beach?! I'm comin for ya Sports Illustrated

DSC01027.jpg

Back on the bus for our last stop of the weekend, we headed for Glastonbury! Unfortunately we were one week late from crashing their famous yearly music festival. But that didn't stop us from exploring the town. Starting with the Glastonbury Abbey!

glastonbury.jpg
DSC01038.JPG

We all got a chuckle out of this guy who was very sternly ordered to climb down from the ruin walls. There's an adventurist in all of us!

"I think a chunk just came down with him."

"I think a chunk just came down with him."

The lovely tour guide Eleanor led us around the grounds of the once magnificent abbey. We have King Henry VIII to thank for tearing this down during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. He wanted a divorce, and the Pope wouldn't give it to him. So he decided to remove the Church of England from papal authority, then it was so long to all the monasteries. 

DSC01044.JPG
Cooking things up in the kitchen.

Cooking things up in the kitchen.

King Arthur's rumored burial site

King Arthur's rumored burial site

Enjoying lunch al fresco in a beautiful oasis in downtown Glastonbury. 

DSC01061.JPG

Next on the itinerary, a stop at the Chalice Well Gardens. This is considered the holiest place in all of England as it is believed to be the resting place of the Holy chalice. 

DSC01063.JPG

Attractive gardens sprawl the grounds, and an eternal spring snakes down a long path.

DSC01075.jpg
chalicewellholywater.jpg

It is believed that the holy water cures all ailments, so here's us taking a shot at it. It surprised me how much the water tastes like iron!

Photo cred by Ashley

Photo cred by Ashley

Meditation with Professor Adrian

Meditation with Professor Adrian

The final (I promise) trek of the day was up to Glastonbury Tor. Passing through a field of sheep was one of the most hilarious things I've ever experienced. 

DSC01079.JPG
DSC01082.JPG
SHEEP!

SHEEP!

DSC01088.JPG
There's the Tor!

There's the Tor!

glastonburyhill.jpg

Tess and I stopped to take in the Glastonbury countryside. The top of the hill provides a great 360Β° view of its surroundings, including all of the sprawling patchwork farms.

englandhill.jpg
overlooking the town of Glastonbury

overlooking the town of Glastonbury

DSC01109.jpg

Phew! That was a long post! But I just had to share with you the stunning vistas of Southwest England. Such a fun weekend that I'll cherish forever. I'm back in London as I'm typing this, so you have much more city fun to look forward to! 


"They weren't kidding about the whole ice thing."

"They weren't kidding about the whole ice thing."

"You could climb Mt. Everest in these sandals!"

"You could climb Mt. Everest in these sandals!"

Follow my blog with Bloglovin