This small 14th century cottage was used by the G.P.O. as a letter receiving office for the district between 1844 and 1892.
It was the introduction of the penny post in 1844 that lead to the considerable increase in postal traffic and the greatly improved service in the more remote parts of the country.
At the time the post office was established, to deal with incoming mail only, Tintagel was a little-known village on the exposed north Cornish coast.
The building was constructed of slate which has now weathered to a uniform grey. The cottage with its undulating roof is a rare survival of local domestic architecture. No symmetry was involved in its design.
The sturdy three-tier chimney was placed at the front of the cottage in the traditional manner of this part of the country and the projecting porch was placed off-centre.
The interior of the building suggests that it was originally a small manor house. The diminutive hall rises to the roof at the centre of the house and a passage runs through the building to the tiny split-level garden.
The Old Post Office is one of the few remaining picturesque buildings in Tintagel.
In the late 19th century most of the old cottages in the village were swept away to be replaced with the hotels and boarding houses catering for the new Victorian interest in Tintagel Castle and its supposed links with King Arthur.
The ancient building is now in the care of the National Trust who have carefully restored it.
The interior has been furnished with the sort of oak pieces that would have been found in local cottages. The post room, which closed in 1892, has been fitted out as a Victorian post office.
2009 14 Feb-1 Mar & 1Oct-1Nov 11:00-16:00 Mon-Sun; 7-8 Mar: 11:00-16:00 Sat-Sun; 14Mar-30Sept 11:00-17:30 Mon-Sun. Last Entry 30min before close.
Tel: 01840 770024 The Old Post Office Website
