The building was never originally designed as a post office; it acquired the name in the 1870s when the local postmaster lived there.
The structure features a 'cruck frame' construction, using curved timbers to support the roof.
During the 19th century, the post office was the only place in Tintagel that received mail for the entire village.
The thick stone walls are built from local slate, a material characteristic of North Cornwall's architecture.
In 1896, the building was purchased by Catherine Johns to save it from dereliction, leading to its eventual acquisition by the National Trust in 1903.
Tintagel Old Post Office is a Grade I listed 14th-century stone farmhouse, distinct for its medieval slate construction and curved roofline. Originally built as a hall house, it has served various roles including a Victorian-era letter-receiving office. The structure features a large hall with an open hearth, a solar, and a garden designed in the cottage style. It is maintained by the National Trust and contains a collection of period-appropriate artifacts. The building is renowned for its crooked exterior, caused by centuries of settlement and the use of local Delabole slate. Visitors explore rooms preserved to reflect both its medieval origins and its 19th-century history as a local post station.
From the street corner directly in front of the building to capture the distorted, sagging silhouette of the slate roof.
Headroom is very low throughout the cottage, so remain mindful of doorways and overhead beams.
The site is small, so plan to combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Tintagel Castle ruins.
Explore the small, quiet cottage garden behind the house, which highlights plants traditional to the medieval period.
Do not mistake this for the main Tintagel Castle visitor center, as it is a separate, smaller National Trust site.
Operates seasonally; typically closed during winter months and on specific weekdays outside of the peak summer season.
Low beams require caution; please do not touch delicate Victorian artifacts or period furniture.
