Visiting St. Michael’s Mount | Planning a Trip to Marazion

St. Michael’s mount is a treasure of Cornwall. This special island is only accessible by boat or over the causeway, the latter of which only appears when the tide is low. To help you plan your trip, I’ve composed a short post that includes all you need to know. Visiting St. Michael’s Mount was a highlight for me, and I can’t wait for you to experience it.

Crossing Times to St. Michael’s Mount

The causeway over to St. Michael’s Mount is only exposed at certain times of the day. This happens at low tide and is usually open for 4 hours each day. When the water is low, the walkway is really accessible, however watch out for the wet and slippy rocks and seaweed!

During the winter months, the causeway is the only option. The village will then open when the causeway has been fully-exposed. However, during the Summer, you can also take a boat across to the island. You will need to book your ticket in advance and prices are £2.80 per adult for a one-way trip.

Visiting St. Michael’s Mount – The Village

Once you cross the causeway, you will arrive at the village. It is small and very picturesque; what I love is that people actually live here!

There are a couple of shops on the island that sell authentic Cornish souvenirs. These range from (very tasty) chocolate to hand-crafted homeware. There is also a cafe to have a cake or, if you are feeling luxurious, you could have afternoon tea at the Harbour Loft. In the summer there are also pop-up stands serving a range of different foods. Yes, this includes ice cream…

As well as the shops and cafes, you must take time just walking around the island. The harbour is particularly lovely and I really enjoyed walking around this. Another must-see is the church. This is dedicated to St. Michael, the patron saint of sailors. Inside is plenty of history and helps you understand life on the island. The last place to see is the Steward’s House. This was lived in by the steward of the island, the person charged with caring for the mount. It is the most impressive building aside from the castle and usually features various exhibits.

Visiting St. Michael’s Mount – The Castle and Gardens

The legend of Jack the Giant Killer apparently comes from the mount. Jack lived in Marazion and fought the giant who lived on the mount. Aside from other myths involving mermaids, the mount has a lot of history. In fact, the castle has been laid siege to in numerous wars throughout history.

Nowadays, and since the 1600s, it is lived in by the St. Aubyn family. It has a lot to see and includes some rather interesting pieces of history. Samurai warsuits and pieces of Napoleon’s Waterloo uniform are just some of the things that you can see. To access the castle, you will need to book your tickets online before your visit.

My favourite part of St. Michael’s Mount has to be the terrace gardens. These gardens are built into the cliff, with each level bringing a different expression to the castle. I love the contrast between the calm and colourful garden to the harsh and colder sea surrounding the mount. These are some of the most unique gardens I have been to in the UK and are worth the trip themselves. They are only open in the summer, so make sure you look ahead.

Where to Stay | Planning your Visit

We visited St. Michael’s Mount as part of our 10 day Cornwall road trip. Marazion itself is actually quite expensive. This is because lots of people come and see the Mount, especially in the summer. We stayed at the Victoria Inn, which is in Perranuthnoe. This charming pub was cheap in comparison to the hotels in Marazion, despite only being 10 minutes away. Plus, the food and rooms are very impressive and I would happily stay here again. The breakfast is dreamy.

Final Thoughts – Visiting St. Michael’s Mount

I hope that this post helps you plan your trip to St. Michael’s Mount. If you do not live in Cornwall, make sure you visit as part of a bigger trip. There is just so much to see nearby and the area itself is stunning. Check out my blog post on our 10 day Cornwall road trip to give you some inspiration. It is one of my favourite recent staycations and I thought that the itinerary was perfect.