Embark on the King Arthur Trail

Legendary British ruler King Arthur is credited with leading armies against the Saxon invaders during the 5th and 6th century. While historians debate the very existence of the king, numerous Arthurian hotspots dot the UK and even inspired Guy Ritchie’s 2017 film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Irrespective of the films poor reception and the debate over the actual existence of King Arthur, here are a select number of locations that transport visitors to a time of battles, folklore and medieval history. 

Tintagel Castle

Image by Robert Pittman on Flickr

Tintagel Castle is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur. It all began with Geoffrey of Monmouth who stated that Arthur drew first breath within the palace walls in his fictionalised Historia Regum Britanniae. The crumbling castle sits proudly atop Cornwall’s craggy coast, encircled by gulls and mystical tales of days when the now derelict castle served as a sturdy fortress to the Romans, Celtic Cornish Kings and perhaps, even King Arthur himself. The ruins date back to around the 13th century, and the surrounding region contains a highly photographed face of Merlin carved into the rock in proximity to the cave known as “Merlin’s Cave”. According to legend, Merlin hid Arthur within the cave as a means of protection.

Cumbria

Image by Tom on Flickr

Home to the stunning Lake District, Cumbria wins with unending vistas of natural scenery. Eamont Bridge in Cumbria serves as an Arthurian hotspot owing to the fabled King Arthur's Round Table. The table is a Neolithic henge which is 90 meters in diameter and 50 meters across. The amphitheatre is reputed to be the Kings jousting section.

Glastonbury

Image by Steve Slater (used to be Wildlife Encounters) on VisualHunt.com / CC BY

Famed for its muddy music festival, Glastonbury is also a hotspot for the famed Arthurian legend. According to folklore, Glastonbury Tor which is a conical hill topped with a 14th-century tower called St Michaels tower is said to be the site in which mortally wounded King Arthur hid after a particularly nasty battle.  Glastonbury Tor now looms over docile sheep and green meadows however back in the time of King Arthur the hill enclosed by marshland and was known as the 'Isle of Avalon.' Glastonbury Abbey is said to be the final resting place of the legendary king with monks claiming to uncover bones of Queen Guinevere in AD1190.

Snowdonia

Image by The Ancient Brit. on Visualhunt.com / CC BY

Wales is home to many an Arthurian legend, so it’s no surprise that Guy Ritchie chose the loveliest national park to film many scenes of the film. Tryfan Mountain in the Ogwen Valley was featured prominently in the movie, and the lake Llyn Llydaw which is shadowed by Nant Gwynant is said to be the location where Knight Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur after King Arthur’s death.

The Isle of Skye

Image by Robert J Heath on Visual hunt / CC BY

The Isle of Skye features in many great films including Macbeth and the BFG, and the stunning vistas featured in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. The weather is quite unpredictable however that doesn’t deter hikers who are drawn to the islands breathtaking landscapes, welcoming pubs and independent rest houses.

Windsor Great Park

Image by Edmund Gall on Flickr

You may struggle to locate the mysterious castle of Camelot; however, many impressive fortresses dot Britain. The grounds of Windsor Castle were used in the film and considering the park 2020 hectares are teeming with roaming deer gracefully stepping through Oak Forests. Find a campervan hire on Camperbug and tour all the sites in style and comfort.