English Heritage has announced that Tintagel Castle, complete with a stunning new footbridge, will re-open to the public on Friday, August 9.

The bridge has been designed to elegantly span the 70m gap between the two halves of the ancient site. In the Middle Ages, Tintagel’s residents walked from one side of the site to the other using a narrow land bridge as high as the cliff tops. From August 9 and for the first time in centuries, visitors will be able to experience the coastal castle the way its historic inhabitants once did.

The striking structure has taken shape as, piece by piece, steel sections have been dropped into place to bridge the gap between the mainland and island sections of the castle. Now the team are busy with the finishing touches before the ingenious cable crane, used to lift sections of the bridge into place, is taken down. Designed by Ney & Partners and William Matthews Associates Architectural Practice, the construction of the new bridge has been a striking feat of engineering, and a beautiful addition to the historic site. The bridge is part of a wider English Heritage project to care for Tintagel Castle. A new route through the landscape and refreshed pathways will help to protect the site’s archaeology and ecology.

Timed ticketing has been introduced to manage the number of people visiting the historic site, and limit the impact of visitors on this special place. Tickets can be pre-booked through the English Heritage website and went live on Wednesday, July 31. A limited number of on-the-day tickets will also be available to purchase at Tintagel Castle.

Liz Page, English Heritage’s Territory Director for the West, said: “We are very excited to announce the opening date of Tintagel Castle. We can’t wait for people to experience this spectacular crossing which will reconnect Tintagel’s divided landscape.”

Although – ahead of the August 9 re-opening – visitors to Tintagel Castle will not be able to access the mainland castle ruins, bridge or the island, they can enjoy free access to the exhibition introducing the castle’s history as well as daily hands-on-history sessions for families. The castle’s café is also open while the village of Tintagel has lots to see and do and is ideal as a base to explore a spectacular section of the South West Coast Path.

Tintagel Castle’s new footbridge has been generously funded by Julia and Hans Rausing.

Advance tickets for Tintagel Castle can be booked at www.english-heritage.org.uk/tintagel