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Bridging the gorge with duplex
A spectacular footbridge along Cornwall’s rugged coast replaces a lost land link and reconnects the two halves of Tintagel Castle, one of Britain’s most legendary historic sites. Designed to ensure Cornwall’s harsh coastal climate, the footbridge blends old and new – linking not just rock to rock, but past to present.
© Hufton+Crow -VIEW / Alamy Stock Photo
On the North coast of Cornwall, waves crash against steel cliffs carved by centuries of salt and wind. Perched on a rocky outcrop of land jutting into the sea, the fragmented ruins of Tintagel Castle evoke stories of myth and monarchy. The site has long captivated its 200,000 yearly visitors with a breathtaking setting and a storied role in one of Britain’s most enduring legends: the birthplace of King Arthur.
The castle was originally connected to both the mainland and its gatehouse by a slender natural land bridge. But over time, that connection was lost to erosion. For centuries, only steep staircases offered access to the remains of the medieval stronghold. This isolation may have preserved the mystery, but it also created practical challenges. Heavy visitor traffic in peak seasons led to bottlenecks, wear on fragile archaeological remains, and limited access for many would-be explorers.
Recreating the original link
To reconnect Tintagel’s divided landscape and enhance the visitor experience, English Heritage launched an international competition. The goal was to enable more people to discover the site and better understand its historical significance. The winning concept, a collaboration between Ney & Partners and William Matthews Associates, offered an elegant and symbolic answer: two cantilevered arms stretching out from either side of the gorge, nearly meeting in the middle.
Instead of a traditional continuous span, the design features a 40-millimeter gap at the center, representing the threshold between the mainland and the headland, present and past, reality and legend. Visitors physically cross the divide that nature once created and experience the landscape as it might have felt in the 13th century, when Tintagel Castle was last fully connected.
Braving the elements
Cornwall’s dramatic coast is beautiful, but brutal. Gusty winds, salty air, and driving rain push any construction to its limits. Materials must withstand this corrosive marine environment with minimal maintenance and a very long lifespan. To meet these demands, the design team specified a combination of painted carbon steel and duplex stainless steel. The bridge’s main structural chords, which carry tension and compression forces back to the abutments, are fabricated from painted carbon steel. These structural chords can be repainted if needed.
The more delicate elements, such as cross bracing, railings, and deck trays, were made from 2205 duplex stainless steel. This alloy contains around 3% molybdenum, which significantly enhances resistance to atmospheric corrosion, particularly in chloride-rich coastal environments. Molybdenum inhibits pitting and crevice corrosion, extending the life of the components without the need for protective coatings.
Discover more about the installation of the Tintagel Castle bridge here.
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