Art historian Nikolaus Pevsner (writing in 1950) suggested that its Norman-era design includes some Saxon features, while the tower may be 13th or 15th century in date.

The rood screen (which would have had access to the loft on the south side) is of the 15th century but the canopy has been removed, probably at the Reformation.

The altar in the north transept is modern and was originally dedicated to All Saints but it is now generally known by the name of St Symphorian from the window behind it.

Symphorian, contrary to tradition, is portrayed as a bishop, and his supposed connection with this area seems to be a mistake made by John Leland in writing about the churches of Forrabury and Tintagel.

The north window commemorates John Douglas Cook, editor of the Saturday Review, who is buried in the churchyard nearby.

A stone bench runs round part of the walls from the time when no other seating was provided in churches.

The Roman inscribed stone is of the early 4th century and was found built into the western gateway of the churchyard in 1889; it bears the name of the Emperor Licinius (d. 324).

[11] The west window has modern armorial stained glass depicting coats of arms connected with the history of this parish.

The most interesting memorials are the tomb of John Douglas Cook, founder editor of the Saturday Review (d. 1868) north-west of the church, and the wooden cross over the grave of Domenico Catanese (d. 1893) to the east.

The crew were able to get onto the rock and apart from a youth of 14 were saved: his grave is marked by a wooden cross (the name is given in the official Italian usage, surname first: Catanese Domenico, on a lifebuoy).

[13][14] The jacket illustration for J. L. Carr's A Month in the Country shows Tintagel Parish Church whereas the story is set in Yorkshire.