Recently voted 7th Greatest Landmark in Great Britain by MSN Travel. Ahead of Westminster Abbey, Edinburgh Castle, The Angel of The North, Loch Ness, Houses of Parliament and hundreds more, St Michael’s Mount is a must-visit for Cornwall and is located opposite all of our properties. Just a few minutes walk away along the sandy beach.
About St Michael’s Mount
Marazion is famous for the legendary St Michael’s Mount, “the jewel in Cornwall’s crown” with its fairy-tale castle surrounded by the tide. The name comes from the vision of St Michael seen by local fishermen around 495 AD. An old carved stone cross offers evidence that the Mount had been used by the religious community since before the Norman invasion.
In fact, St Michael’s Mount is thought to have been the site of a tin port in the late Iron Age, just before the Roman Invasion. Since the Benedictine Monastery was built in 1135AD, the Mount has been a priory, fortress, place of pilgrimage and finally became a private home coming into the ownership of the St Aubyn family in 1659.
In 1587 the beacon signal on the Mount was lit to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada. Although not successful on this occasion, in 1595 four Spanish galleons landed two hundred men at nearby Mousehole and burned it virtually to the ground. Newlyn and Penzance were also set on fire, but the Spaniards were repulsed by a local fighting force under Sir Francis Godolphin. The Mount then held a garrison for many years, obtaining guns and ammunition by petitions to the Crown.
On display throughout the castle are many paintings and engravings of the Mount. Such a picturesque scene has inspired artists through many centuries and helped the Mount become one of the most visited National Trust properties in Britain and together with Land’s End, is probably one of the two most famous and visited parts of the county of Cornwall.
THE CASTLE
Up to 25th March 2012
Open for tours at 11am & 2pm on Tuesdays & Fridays.
26th March – 2nd November 2012
Daily from 10.30am – 5.00pm (closed Saturdays). Closes 5:30pm in July and August. Last admission three quarters of an hour prior to castle closing time.
16th April – 28th September 2012
The Gardens will be open from 16 April until 29 June, Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 17:00. They are then open only on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 July to 28 September from 10:30 to 17:00 (until 17:30 in July and August).
Tickets can be purchased from the Island Cafe on St Michael’s Mount and normal admission prices apply.
Tariff
Adults: £7.50
Child: £3.75
Family: £18.75
Single Adult Family £11.25
Groups (15+) Adult: £6.50 Child: £3.25
THE GARDENS
Tariff
Adult: £3.50
Child: £1.50
COMBINED CASTLE & GARDENS
Adults: £9.25
Child: £4.50
Family: £23
Single Adult Family: £13.75
Groups (15+) Adult: £8 Child: £4
NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS
Access to the Castle and Gardens is free to National Trust Members.
BOATS
Access is by Causeway on foot at low tide: when the tide is in, do experience a memorable trip by ferry boats. Our visitors do enjoy this exciting journey to the historic harbour following in the path taken by the Queen Victoria. The cost of the boats is £1.50 per person each way and £1 each way for children (under 15 years of age). Depending on the state of the tide, boats leave from any of the three embarkation points on the mainland. if the weather is inclement, information on boating conditions/arrangements can be obtained from ringing 01736 710507 or 710265.
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