The new bridge aims to follow the path of the original crossing between the mainland and the headland, improving both visitors' understanding of the site and access to it as well as providing an exhilarating experience. The aim of the competition is to find the best architectural and engineering team to design this exciting project.

Dramatically situated on the north Cornwall coast, Tintagel Castle is one of the most spectacular historic sites in Britain and inextricably linked to the legend of King Arthur. Today the remains of the 13th century settlement can be seen on both the mainland and jagged headland projecting into the sea, but Tintagel's divided landscapes were once united by a narrow strip of land. So significant was this narrow access that it gave rise to the stronghold's name, the Cornish Din Tagell meaning 'the Fortress of the Narrow Entrance'.

Stretching 28 metres above the current crossing and 72 metres in span, the proposed new footbridge will allow visitors to experience how the headland was reached in the Dark and Middle Ages. It will improve access to the island, reduce the visitor bottlenecks sometimes experienced during the busiest summer months, and help to protect and conserve the landscape.

Welcoming almost 200,000 visitors a year, Tintagel Castle is one of Cornwall's most popular heritage attractions and the bridge is the latest in a series of new projects at the site. This summer a new exhibition exploring the history and legends of Tintagel Castle and a refurbished beach café will open, ahead of new interpretation across the site next year further exploring the history, archaeology and mythology of the castle.

Alex Page, Historic Properties Director for the West at English Heritage, said: "We are looking for the most talented team of architects and engineers to design something special for Tintagel Castle. This is a spectacular site and the finished design must complement Tintagel Castle's beautiful landscape and rich heritage."

The competition will consist of two stages - there is a general call for Expressions of Interest following which a shortlist of a number of teams will be drawn up. These teams will then be invited to submit concept designs and following a public exhibition of these shortlisted concepts, an expert panel of judges will announce the winner in early 2016. The bridge will be subject to all the usual consultations and consents.

About the competition

The competition is run by English Heritage and Malcolm Reading Consultants. To read the detailed brief and enter the competition, competitors will need to visit the Malcolm Reading website.

The competition is being run in accordance with European Union procurement guidelines under the Restricted Procedure. Multi-disciplinary teams with expertise in contemporary design and engineering are invited to enter providing they can satisfy the criteria in the Expression of Interest document available through the competition website. No design is sought at the first stage of the competition.

The competition jury includes:

• Graham Morrison (chair), founding Partner, Allies and Morrison
• The Reverend Peter Beacham OBE, former English Heritage Protection Director and author
• Ben Bolgar, Senior Design Director, The Prince's Foundation
• Sir Barrington Cunliffe CBE, Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology, University of Oxford
• Anna Eavis, Curatorial Director, English Heritage
• Philip Marsden, award-winning author of Rising Ground (2014) and The Levelling Sea (2011)
• Roger Ridsdill Smith, Senior Partner and Structural Engineer, Foster+Partners
• Tracey Wahdan, Historic Properties Director, English Heritage
• Kim Wilkie, Landscape Architect

Malcolm Reading will advise the jury.

The deadline for expressions of interest is Tuesday 21 July 2015, the shortlist for the second stage will be announced in August and, following a public exhibition of the shortlisted concepts, the winning team is expected to be announced in early 2016.