St Nectan's Kieve

St Nectan's Kieve near Tintagel is a rock basin fed by an 18-metre (60 ft) fall of the Trevillet River, set in the wooded valley of St Nectan's Glen at the hamlet of Trethevy in north Cornwall. It sits a short drive from Tintagel Castle and ranks among the most visited natural sights in the area. The land is privately owned, so you pay to enter.

What is the Kieve?

"Kieve" comes from a Cornish word for a tub or vat. The water drops into a deep, rounded bowl worn into the rock and then escapes through a gap in the wall to carry on down the glen. The name appears in 1799 as "Nathan's Cave". Upstream and downstream of the main fall the river forms smaller steps and pools worth a look along the path.

Who was St Nectan, and what is legend?

Nectan was an early medieval saint whose real associations lie with Hartland in Devon. The link to this waterfall was built mainly in the nineteenth century, notably through a poem by the Rev. Robert Stephen Hawker in 1846. Stories of a hermitage above the fall, a silver bell warning ships, or Arthurian knights praying here before the Grail quest are later inventions. There is no evidence that Nectan ever stayed at this spot, and the "hermitage" described in the 1800s was an ordinary garden summerhouse. Enjoy the atmosphere, but treat the tales as folklore.

How do you get there?

Drive to Trethevy, where a pay-and-display car park serves the glen for the whole day. From there allow about 30 minutes on a woodland path to reach the ticket office, gift shop and cafe, then a further descent beside the river to the fall. Wear shoes with good grip, because rock and wooden steps get slippery. The glen also lies close to the coast path network, so walkers can arrive on foot from Tintagel or Boscastle.

Is it open, and what does it cost?

Access is controlled by the private owners. Tickets are sold on the day at the shop and cafe. The official website currently lists adults at £11, children aged 5 to 15 at £6, and under-5s free. Older guides quote lower prices, so confirm the current rate before you travel. Hours follow the season: roughly 9:30 to 17:00 in summer and shorter days in winter, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. The site also runs a quiet period early in the morning. Check the official St Nectan's Glen website for exact dates and times.

When is the best time to visit?

Arrive soon after opening and outside school holidays for the fewest crowds. After heavy rain the fall is at its most dramatic, and in summer the tree cover keeps the glen cool. In winter the path turns muddy and daylight in the valley is limited. Plan around two hours for the visit including the walk in and out.

What else is nearby?

Trethevy has St Piran's Chapel, dating from at least the mid fifteenth century, plus a holy well dedicated to the same saint. Tintagel Castle and the harbour at Boscastle are close, so the Kieve fits easily into a day along the north Cornish coast.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Nectan's Kieve free to visit? No. The land is private and entry requires a ticket bought on site. Parking is charged separately.

Can you swim in the pool? Rules are set by the owners and can change. Check at the ticket office and on signs in the glen before getting in; the rocks are slippery and the water is cold.

Is it suitable for children? Yes, for children who can walk the distance. The path is wooded, uneven and often damp, so a pushchair is not practical.

Did St Nectan really live here? There is no evidence of it. The connection to the waterfall comes from nineteenth-century storytelling, while the historical Nectan is tied to Hartland in Devon.