Search for King Arthur in England with Kids

The story of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table is an all-time favorite for kids, and makes a perfect “quest” for families traveling in England. Visiting places connected to the legends surrounding King Arthur takes you to some of England’s most beautiful places.

The most atmospheric of sites connected with King Arthur is his reputed birthplace at Tintagel. The ruins of Tintagel Castle sit high above the sea atop a ragged cliff, accessible by a bridge across a chasm. If that doesn’t get kids excited, nothing will. Once atop the cliff you’ll find the remains of houses from an early medieval settlement where the rulers of Cornwall lived and traded with ports as far away as the Mediterranean. If the tide is out, you can descend to the beach below and explore Merlin’s Cave.

Also in Cornwall and near Tintagel, Dozmary Pool is where legend holds The Lady of the Lake gave King Arthur his famous sword, Excalibur. You won’t find a spookier setting than the rolling and barren Bodmin Moor surrounding the lake. Even in summer, mists swirl in a cool breeze, and imaginative kids can picture the arm reaching out to grasp the sword being returned as King Arthur lies dying from his final battle at nearby Slauterbridge. (Even the names are evocative.)

Drive through Bodmin Moor to find strange stone formations and prehistoric stone structures, such as Trethevy Quoit, a Neolithic portal tomb. Nearby is a set of three stone circles known as The Hurlers, dating to around 1500 B.C.E.

Also in Southwest England, the ruined Glastonbury Abbey is purported by some to be the burial place of King Arthur. Tour the seventh-century ruins with a costumed guide to learn the abbey’s story and take part in hands-on activities. Download the app designed for kids and teens to see images of what the buildings looked like originally. Kids under 16 are admitted free. After touring the abbey, climb to the summit of Glastonbury Tor, also connected with Arthurian legends.

Winchester Castle, in Hampshire, was built by William the Conqueror as a stronghold, and remained so for later medieval kings. All that remains is the Great Hall with Westgate Museum, which displays what is said to be King Arthur’s Round Table. It probably dates to much later, but it’s fun for kids to see if they’re hot on the King Arthur Trail — and Winchester is on your route back to London. Kids can pose for photos in medieval armor or the clothes of England’s Tudor period, or make brass rubbings to take home as souvenirs.

Children will be more engaged after reading (or listening to) one of these books:

• The Sword in the Stone (Disney) by Carl Memling and Norm McGray (ages 2–5)
• The Story of King Arthur & His Knights by Howard Pyle (ages 7–9)