St. Michael's Mount, 2013

The view from Marazion

The last day in Penzance started with a new face at my breakfast table - an English lady called Bonnie greeted me heartily. We began  talking immediately and soon found out that we both wanted to visit St. Michael's Mount. So why not go together ?

As it was a grey sky in the morning, we decided to take the bus to Marazion, which claims to be the oldest town in Britain, as well as the place to get to St. Michael's Mount.

The castle

In the 17th century, Marazion had been the trade centre of  Mount's Bay and was considered to be  more important than Penzance. It was also used as a location for films and this may be the reason for all the pretty facades of houses and shops.

After the Norman invasion, St. Michael's Mount was granted by Edward the Confessor to the Benedictines of Mont St. Michel in France, who then founded an abbey after their French model. Henry VIII changed it into a fortress. When the Civil War was over, it became the St. Aubyn's family property, who altered it into a castle. In 1954, the island was given to the National Trust.

The garden

If it is low tide you can walk over a constructed causeway, but during high tide, you will be taken to St. Michael's Mount by little boats.

When we reached Marazion it was high tide, so we were taken to the island by boat in only 5 minutes. Shortly after our arrival on the little island, I realized the temperature was higher and the scent of the trees and plants more intense than in Penzance.


Before we went up to the castle and former monastery, we discovered the two island shops. We had a look at one of them and found very special pictures of St. Michael's Mount on tea towels, pillows, coasters and glass art or other souvenirs like Cornish chocolate.

Picknick area

Then we climbed up steep hills to the castle, which was a bit smaller than I had expected, yet the rooms were very beautiful. I especially liked the Blue Drawing Rooms and the library.

After the visit, it brightened up so we went down again to have lunch in the garden of the little café.

In the afternoon, we started exploring the huge garden, which was beautifully laid out around the island.

Leaving 

The garden

We both wanted to walk back to Marazion, so we had to wait until low tide. We did some shopping in the second island shop and found some more souvenirs :)


Tip: Plan enough time for the island,perhaps a whole day like we did - it's absolutely worth it.