the classic guide

A guide to the West Country from the people that know…

St Michael's Mount

This local landmark looks like something straight out of a fairytale; a medieval castle perched on top of a little tidal island, complete with cobbled streets and even its own harbour and gardens. At low tide, 'the Mount' can easily be reached on foot from Marazion town by way of a man-made granite causeway. Wait for high tide to take the lazy option and go by ferry. If you've got time to kill while you wait, you can enjoy the view across Mount's Bay with a pint in hand at The Godolphin Arms near the ferry departure point.

St Michael's Mount
Manor Office
MARAZION
Cornwall
TR17 0EF

Telephone

01736 710507

5 Stars

Jul 2023

St Michael's Mount

Wonderful. Worth waiting for the tide to be out so as to experience the walk across the causeway. The castle is stunning and full of interest about the lives of the St Aubyn family. The garden, cascading down the cliff, is surely unique and the views are absolutely splendid. No one visiting Penzance and Marazion should miss this treasure and experience

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
3 Stars

May 2023

Booking necessary

Be aware that you need to book the trip to St Michaels Mount with the NT in the summer months, although you can walk out on the causeway you need to book to actually go onto the island.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Apr 2023

Magical

We went twice here, wonderful to take the dog for a walk on the beach ( dogs not allowed on the Mount itself though) take in the magical view, make a lot of pictures and sit on the terrace that overlooks the Mount. Absolutely worth half a day's wonder about.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Mar 2023

Magical St Michael's Mount

Marazion is just 15 mins by car from the cottage and there is ample, specific parking by the beach for Mount visitors. The best way to reach Mount is to walk across the causeway. There is an excellent visitor centre, cafe and art exhibition. Gardens are stunning and extensive views from castle, which has interesting historic interior- especially the chapel

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Aug 2022

Magical

Ended up here at the end of a pilgrimage walk from Lelant. As we came to the top of the hill we looked out to sea and spotted the castle through the mist. As we descended, there was sunshine across the beach and we loved the walk across the causeway. Beautiful gardens, interesting displays and an informative tour of the castle. Magical day.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Aug 2022

Great half day out

Lovely spot and ensure you book in advance and know the tidal situation. High tide get the boat and low walk the causeway. Try to do both ! Good for kids plenty to see and big area to let off steam. Lovely morning was had and returned to Marazion where we picked up lunch and spent pm on the beach. A good day out.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Jun 2022

No free entry any more

Been visiting for years. You can no longer enter just to use the cafe or toilet, like you used to. We had to book tickets on our phones at the gate and it allocated us a time slot - so we had to walk back into Marazion to kill an hour before walking back across. Bit of a shame. Still utterly beautiful though.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

May 2022

St Michael's Mount

We are National Trust Members and didn't actually book this. After walking across the causeway we were told we needed to have booked online tickets. We then did this on our phone and were admitted easily enough. Cafe has been updated and the plant sales area changed but for the better with more seating. A wonderful castle and beautiful gardens. You need to book a ticket for the boat trip before setting off if you cannot walk the causeway. You can't buy a ticket on the boat anymore. A fabulous day out.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
2 Stars

Sep 2021

Requires booking ahead

Be aware, whatever your previous experience, the NT require a booking even to reach the Mount harbour, never mind entering the castle. Also note, there is very little phone signal on the beach so you cannot book there!

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Jul 2021

Well worth a visit

Exceeded my expectations. Lovely day out.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Jun 2021

St Michael’s Mount

Very enjoyable day out but quite a climb.A long queue to pay for parking about 15 mins as very difficult to work out how to pay

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Jun 2021

Be prepared to now pay for entry.

We had visited St Michael's Mount before and you could go into the outer areas without having to pay . But now it is £10 for a ticket , so be prepared .

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Aug 2019

Another must visit

Fabulous but get there between 9-10 as it gets very very busy...also check website to see when garden is open!

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Jun 2019

Very special

A crazy place. Copy of Normandy but different. A museum but people still live there. Garden is also spectacular. Short trip by boat is nice.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Apr 2016

Perfect also for children

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Aug 2015

A MUST TO VISIT....

St Michael's Mount is a truly unique and magical place and was the highlight of our stay. Check the tides on the website; you need to walk the Causeway one way and get the boat in the other as the tide will come in/out while you are there. I would advise going early during the high season. That way you will park easily in the National Trust Car Park on the beach and will avoid the worst of the crowds. Both National Trust Cafes on the Mount do amazing food, often sourced from local producers, and they have spectacular views of the mainland. The Crab Rarebit will linger in my memory...mmm!

The warnings of uneven ground should be heeded; you do need to wear supportive footwear...no flip-flops! The cobbled, steep paths up to the Mount are poorly maintained and have great gaps in between the cobbles. One section known as 'The Pilgrim Steps' dates from mediaeval times and are now little more than tumbledown boulders that have to be scrambled up. Buggies are better left behind or you will end up carrying them (and the kids)!

However, it is SO worth the climb for the amazing views from the top and to look around the house and Church. What a history! Medieval Abbey, to Civil War fortress, and now a private residence. Stunning!

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Aug 2015

Be prepared to hike

Whether you walk across the causeway or get the ferry (likelihood is you'll do both), at some point you will have to walk. The walk from quay to either the gardens or the castle is a bit of a trek, with the latter needing the visitor to scramble up steep cobbled steps and pathways. Once you reach either the strenuous walk is immediately forgotten as you are left agog at the stunning views, both natural and man made.
The top of the castle commands spectacular views across Mount Bay, with Newlyn, Penzance and Marazion all within a perfect vista. If you're brave enough you can peer over the ramparts and spy the fabulous gardens from on high.
Children are easily entertained by the castle quiz and they get a prize at the end, adults can simply wonder at the artefacts on display and the fabulous architecture.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Oct 2012

Well worth a visit

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Oct 2012

Thoroughly enjoyed our trip to St Michael's mount. The castle was delightful and there was much more to it than we had expected. Would recommend a walking stick/pole for the ascent to the castle.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Sep 2012

Perfect day out

We love St Michael's Mount. If the tide is right you can walk across to the mount and then get a boat ride back. The house and surrounding area are very atmospheric and if you are fortunate enough you will get to see the Basking Sharks. A great day out and well worth a visit.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Aug 2012

Good day out for all the family

Took the ferry as it was high tide. A long queue but with several ferries we didn't have to wait long. Kids enjoyed the ferry ride and the interesting things in the castle. Quite a steep climb on cobbles up to the castle so wished I had worn more sensible shoes but worth the climb. Cafe's were good and also places to picnic. Lovely views from the castle. Spent several hours on St Michael's Mount.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

May 2012

A truly worthwhile visit and highly recommended. But you do need to be physically fit and able to cope with steep uphills on cobbled paths! Not for the elderly or infirm!

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Apr 2012

Lovely day out

We got there on a small boat. Had a nice scone in the cafe and waked around the house. Lovely day out

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Sep 2011

Fabulous views on the mount !

The views are amazing and the castle is full of history. A bonus is the castle is still inhabited as a family home, which gives it a nice lived in feel. Gardens look fantastic from the ramparts, but are not open every day. Phone up before you visit to check tide times. We went out by boat, then walked back across the causeway.
The NT cafe is lovely, and you can have an above average waitress served meal.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Sep 2011

I would recommend everyone to make the walk across to the Mount, it is magical but do watch the tides!

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Jul 2011

ST M's Mount

Well worth being a member of the National Trust to be able to enjoy this treasure. Great afternoon's outing for family - we had our 2 older teenage kids who were very happy to go round the castle. Lovely place to sit and relax too enjoying an ice cream after you've viewed the property. Keep your eye on the tide though - it comes in very quickly but it adds to the fun to have to wade back through thigh-high water!

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Jun 2011

The view from Sunnyside over St Michael's Mount is magical and a trip there doesn't disappoint. We were impatient for the tide to recede and so began our visit by paddling over the causeway, an adventure in itself. The walk up to the house was an exciting scramble, but not for the infirm. At the top the views were tremendous and the property quite as wacky as the octagonal dairy on the way up suggested it would be. Lunch in the tea shop was one of the best we had during our stay. All in all, a delight. Brilliant for anyone with children. Best not paddle over the causeway if you're taking the buggy though.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Apr 2009

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
5 Stars

Jan 2009

Wonderful St Michael's Mount

When in the area there is nothing nicer to do, whatever the weather, than walk or take a boat to the Mount (depending on the tide). At low tide you can meander up the causeway the to the Mount where a nice NT cafe awaits and a steep walk up to the castle (passing over the giant's heart on the way), here the views across the Mount's gardens are second to none. A magestic place.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Jan 2009

Check the tide times before you leave, as it's great to walk over to the mount. If you have small children it is better to walk or bring a baby carrier as pushing a buggy on the cobbles is really hard work. It's a magical place, nothing quite like it, it's amazing how the access to the mount suddenly appears and then disappears later in the day. There is also a fab outside play area for children with plenty to do for small tots and children up to about 12 years.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Jan 2009

Sub tropical gardens

Great attraction to visit if you haven't already been. The castle is worth the climb, and the gardens are wonderful - many sub tropical species there which can only be found in this part of England. Well worth a visit.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Jan 2009

Set out from a beautiful beach, this is a great place for a day out. If the tide is in you can get a boat across to the Mount which is great fun. There are lovely gardens as well as the Mount to explore.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Sep 2008

A trip to St Michael's Mount is a wonderful way of spending a sunny summer's afternoon or even a beautiful autumn one, if you want to avoid the crowds! The view of the castle in the bay is so well known, it is lovely to get another perspective of the coastline by looking back from the island to Marazion beach and the sweep of the bay to Penzance. To get the full experience you need to walk across the causeway at low tide (there are often puddles!!) but the walk up to the castle itself is very steep, so not a day for heels! The restaurant is nice, and there is also a tea-room/cafe, but we like to buy pasties in Philps at Marazion and sit round the island's harbour to eat them. On your ascent to the castle don't forget to look out for the heart of Cormoran the Giant, now turned to stone...

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No
4 Stars

Jul 2008

Wonderful five minute trip by sea or if the tide is low, you can walk across the causeway to this fairy tale castle which dominates Mounts Bay. Steep walk up to the castle itself which is not for the faint hearted! Those who would rather not can wander round the little harbour. Good coffee and pasties at the Cafe or there is the Sail Loft Restaurant. N.T. shop. There is plenty to see in the Castle and the views from it are stunning.

  • Helpful To You?
  • Yes /
  • No

This website uses cookies to store information on your computer. For more information visit our privacy page OK