High atop the cliffs overlooking the village of Tintagel stands the 11th century church of St Materiana, with its Norman font and windows and a Roman milestone situated in the south transept.
There are several noteworthy memorials in the very large churchyard. In the north-west corner is the grave of John Douglas Cook, founder of the Saturday Review, who died in 1868. Nearby is a moving memorial to Domenico Catanese, a 14 year old boy cabin boy who died in the wreck of the barque Iota at Bossiney cove on 20 December 1893. Catanese was the only member of the crew to perish; the others were rescued by locals. One of the lifebuoys from the Iota has been placed in the south transept as a memorial to the young boy. The oldest gravestone still in its original place is a memorial to Mary Baron, dated 1689, set at the angle of the chancel and south transept.

Just west of the church tower is an unusual monument for a churchyard; a Bronze Age standing stone.

Outside the south-west entrance to the churchyard is a small stone tithe barn, and abutting it are a set of mounting blocks used by the vicar and by wealthy church patrons arriving to service on horseback.

Reaching the church is easy. From Fore Street simply follow Vicarage Hill. The road dips steeply down before rising just as steeply up Church Hill, where you will find the large churchyard. Walking from the village of Tintagel should take no more than 10 minutes. By car there is a parking area outside the churchyard, but the access road is very narrow with limited places to pass.

You can also reach the church by following the South West Coast Path from Tintagel Castle. This is very steep in places, but the spectacular views from this section of the North Cornwall coast, the Castle, and the Church and are well worth the climb.