Just popping back to Cornwall today, to take you to the Old Post Office in Tintagel…
This traditional Cornish Longhouse started off life some 600 years ago as a Manor house here. You can’t really miss it in thanks to a couple of reasons, its distinctive wavy roof caused by gentle subsidence, and the fact that it’s reportedly now the oldest intact building in Tintagel. You can blame that last point on Alfred Tennyson and his Arthurian tales. As they gained popularity in the late 1800’s, a lot of similar buildings here were destroyed to make way for new hotels and boarding houses. Tourism can be such a double-edged sword and all that…
Anyway, as the area got busier, and the main post office was some 5 miles away, it was decided that Tintagel could definitely do with a “Letter Receiving Office”. This was perhaps this particular building’s saviour as the owners of the Manor opted to rent out a room for the purpose, and the rest as they say is history… Do take a closer look at the post box on the outside wall. It’s still in use today, but as it dates back to 1857, so it’s one of a handful left in the UK…
It’s not the biggest Museum in the world, in fact I am wondering if it wins some kind of Smallest National Trust property award, but it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s five medieval rooms are very atmospheric, with the main reception hall and it’s huge Gloam oven (regional to Devon and Cornwall)… Fired with gorse plucked from the local moors, rumour has it that from time to time local bakers fire it up and create some wonderful ancient breads…
Talking of rumours, The Old Post Office supposedly has a ghost with one of the National Trust Caretakers reporting flickering lights, and other such goings on. I don’t think it’s a ghost with issues though, this place is just far too sweet for that…
Considering how busy Tintagel is generally with “King Arthur’s” famous castle up the road, The Old Post Office wasn’t all that hectic when we visited, and we had the rooms to ourselves most of the time. It’s a great place for children (especially history haters given its small size!), with a quiz to fill in as you do the rounds, and staff on hand to answer any questions. The immaculate cottage garden also has games to enjoy, and you are welcome to have a picnic here if your heart desires…
The letter receiving room is still intact, and the scales and other such post office paraphernalia let you imagine what it was like back in the day… You can only imagine the types of correspondence that were sent and received here, in fact I wonder whether Mr Tennyson himself posted anything…
If you are interested in visiting The Old Post Office when you are next in Tintagel, it’s open all year around between 7 March and 30th October. A Family ticket costs £10.
If you are interested in Post Office Museums in other countries, you might like this review of Copenhagen’s Postal Museum which was one of the last Museum’s we visited when we lived there…
So pretty – like a fairy tale
Thank you Cherryl! :)
I’ve never been to Cornwall! And now the reasons are mounting up to visit! That building is possibly the most gorgeous place ever, and all the vintage treasures inside! Heaven. Hope the course is going well!
Thanks so much Jenny! :)
We absolutely loved Tintagel, but we didn’t make it to the post office (even though it looked gorgeous from the outside). It’s a long way to go back to Cornwall, but Tintagel and those views may make it worth it…..
#culturedkids
Thank you Sarah! :)
What a fascinating place, does the NCC do courses in rag rug making? Thank you for linking up to #CulturedKids
I would not be surprised! :D Thanks Catherine!
Oh that rug on the bed! I have been through Tintagel but never had time to visit. I wish I’d stopped now.
Next time Mari, next time! :) x
Tintagel is literally one of my favourite places on earth. Me and Simon spent our first holiday here and I love anything to do with Athurian legend – save for the massive disappointment that was Charlie Hunnam’s recent flop film!
Well done you on the course, although I’m not so sure you need a creative writing course, I always love reading your writing.
A really special place for you Liz. And thank you, that means a lot! :) x
Can I please live there? I love the aesthetic of English country cottages (or longhouses). As we buy some new things for our new apartment, I ask myself if I could imagine them belonging in the Burrow (the Weasley’s home in Harry Potter is my dream house). If only I could find time to finish my weaving!
It makes so much sense now that I think about it, but I never imagined other cultures having longhouses. I’ve been to Native American longhouses for harvest feasts and ceremonies. It’s a pretty neat experience with salmon fresh from the river.
Good for you for taking a course! I just started studying Spanish again on my own. There’s a YouTube channel that I plan to watch all of the videos from. I really want to take (and finally finish) this free poetry course on Coursera, but I think I may have to start working overtime after missing days for the fire & moving. I wish I could just spend all of my time learning!
I would love to see a Native American longhouse ceremony, that sounds so beautiful! Good luck with your studying too, and I hope you get time to finish that weaving!
Cornwall and Devon are the places we visited the most when we were kids.We never visited the Post Office but we did visit the castle in Tintagel.Good luck in your course Emma, a travel novel is sure to follow.
One day maybe Aly! Thank you! :) x
You know that’s just up the road from us but I’ve never been in there! Will have to have a proper look next time we are there.
You must Kate! :) Thanks!
What a stunning property and an amazing history! Best of luck with your creative writing course (and finding the time to study!)
Thanks so much Lisa! (: x
What a fantastic building, it’s lovely to see some of our heritage come to life like this
It’s such a sweet place. Thanks Zena! (:
Lovely post Emma, I love all the stories and facts and the course you have woven in here, you are such a great storyteller, I’m sure you are excelling at the course :) Agree too, old dolls make me run a mile!
Thanks so much Penny! (: x
Wow never heard of this place
Put it on your list if you visit Tintagel! :)
Holidayed in Cornwall a couple of years ago – and definitely want to take the kids back soon. This looks like a great place to visit.
Yes, put it on your list when you next visit. It’s so pretty.
I’m loving the look of the Old Post Office, so much history and the area looks beautiful too. All the best with your course as well, you have a lovely writing style already.Mich x
Thanks so much Mich! x
oh gosh that cottage looks lovely. As a National Trust Member that is definitely going on the list of places to visit next time we are down in Cornwall!
You should! Great cream teas next door too! Thanks T! :) x
I went every year from 1970 to 1978 with my parents, holiday visit tradition! Happy writing.
That is a great family tradition! Thanks K x
There’s something really nostalgic about old Post Office equipment isn’t there. This museum looks fascinating x
Thanks Sam. It’s very sweet! :) x
What a really cute place this is. I love places like this and love what the kids make of them!
Thanks K. Yes, the kids always love these places, especially now the National Trust seem to have gone on some mad Kid Friendly drive. Definitely wasn’t like that before we left the UK! :)
I never saw this when we went to Tintagel! Looks so quaint – and I love the idea of a ghost! Perhaps they could do ghost hunts at night – think that might be a bit spooky!
It wouldn’t be a very big ghost hunt, but it would be interesting! Thanks T! :)
Yikes – old dolls! Although I’m sure it’s only that horro films have poisoned our minds against them. The medieval post office sounds fascinating, and I’m intrigued by the course. Off to find out more!
Thanks Nell. Yes, I think old films are to blame! :D Do check out what they offer, there’s so much to choose from! :) x
Lovely to revisit this as part of #CulturedKids. Thanks for linking up. Such a quaint place – I really must go back to Tintagel!
Thanks Nell! :) x
I agree about old dolls but what a lovely bit of history that cottage is. Good luck with the creative writing.
Such a cute place. Thanks Rachel, I will let you know how it goes! :D
I have fond memories of visiting this with my parents a long, long time ago! We always holidayed in Cornwall when I was younger
I think I went once! Thanks Jen! :)