Tintagel, Cornwall: Competition to build £4m bridge
- Published
The proposed bridge would be 72m (236ft) long
A new £4m bridge is being planned to improve access to a "spectacular" historic headland beauty spot.
The bridge will transport thousands of visitors to the 13th Century castle remains at Tintagel, Cornwall.
More than 130 companies have entered a competition to win the contract to design the bridge on the site managed by English Heritage, external.
Tintagel is known throughout the world for its links to the legends of King Arthur and Merlin.
The existing bridge to the headland of Tintagel is "a challenge" for some
The historic site attracts 200,000 visitors a year
The site attracts around 200,000 visitors a year, with nearly a third of those coming from overseas.
Some visitors find the existing wooden bridge and steps a challenge and a new bridge is needed to transform physical access.
The proposed bridge would be 72m (236ft) long, and placed 28m (92ft) higher than the existing wooden bridge.
English Heritage is asking for a bridge that is "elegant, structurally daring and beautiful in its own right, while being sensitively balanced with the landscape and exceptional surroundings".
Historic Tintagel
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AD450 - AD650 Tintagel becomes a prosperous and significant site
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1138 Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain is written linking King Arthur to Tintagel
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1225 - 1233 Richard, Earl of Cornwall, begins building the castle on Tintagel headland
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1600 The site is largely deserted
Tintagel is known worldwide for its links to the legend of King Arthur
Kate Mavor, chief executive of English Heritage, described Tintagel Castle as "one of the most spectacular historic sites in Britain" and said they were looking for "new, imaginative ways to interpret the sites in our care and inspire our visitors".
The competition, external organiser Malcolm Reading Consultants has received 137 entries and a shortlist will now be drawn up with delivery of the bridge expected by spring 2019.