St Michael's Mount is a small rocky tidal island in Mounts Bay, Cornwall. At low tide it is linked by a man made granite causeway to Marazion. The causeway is well maintained and you could walk across in ordinary shoes, as it dries out completely at low tide. However I wouldn't recommend stiletto heels! At high tide you can get a boat to the island in the summer months.
The island has a medieval church and castle on its highest point. There was a monastic cell attached to the abbey at Mont St Michel in France here from 1044. In the 12th Century a Benedictine Priory was founded here.
St Michael's Mount was a military stronghold from 1425 and it was used by Perkin Warbeck as a base. At the Reformation ownership passed to the Crown. It belong to the St Aubyn family from 1660 until 1954 when it was given to the National Trust.
It is free to visit the island at low tide. There are however admission charges to the Castle and the Gardens (free to National Trust members). The island has toilets, two cafés and two gift/craft shops.
Dairy
The design was based on the kitchen at Glastonbury Abbey. It was built in the late Victorian period when a small herd of Jersey cows was kept on the island. The herd was disbanded in 1909
Steps up to the Castle
Pet Cemetery
This is located on the way up to the Castle. It was in use by the St Aubyn family from 1891-1923
Giant's Heart
This is set into the cobbles on the way up to the castle
Gun Batteries
These were installed in the late 18th century and were mainly used for ceremonial purposes.
Castle
Castle
Gardens from the Castle
View of the Gardens from the Castle
Guardian of the Battlements
Watchtower
This was rebuilt in the 1640s during the English Civil War
Bottom of the funicular railway near the Quay
This is used to transport goods from the Quay to the Castle. It is almost entirely in a tunnel.
Footprints
I think these were made by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during their 2013 visit to St Michael's Mount.
This delightful mural outside the cafe was a community art project.
St Michael's Mount from community garden in Marazion
Causeway at low tide
Harbour on St Michael's Mount
Map mural
Ferry
Harbour at low tide
St Michael's Mount on a misty morning
Plaque on the harbour wall commemorating the visit to St Michael's Mount by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in September 1846
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