Penzance Travel Guide - St Michael's Mount

St Michael's Mount is located some 3 miles east of Penzance and is one of the treasures of Cornwall. Set on an island a few hundred yards off-shore from the ancient town of Marazion and in the heart of Mounts Bay, the castle - now owned by the National Trust - has for centuries been the home of the St Aubyn family. Originally, the building was a Benedictine Priory which had religious links with the equally famous Mont St Michel in Normandy, France. The island served as a major port in earlier times and is thought to be the island of "Ictis" which was the centre for the export of Cornish tin and copper to the Greeks and Romans in pre-historic times. Today, the Island and Castle are open to the public every weekday and most weekends during the summer and on a limited basis during the winter. While access to the island is easy at low tide when the granite causeway is opened for pedestrian crossings, there are ferry boat services running at high tide during the summer.

Marazion is the oldest chartered town in Cornwall having been granted this status by King Henry III in 1257. The town is named in the Cornish language for its historic Market (now discontinued) - "Marghas Byghan", meaning Small Market - which became corrupted in pronunciation into "Marazion" while, despite appearances in the name, there is no historic connection with Judaism. Today, it is a peaceful small town facing onto one of the most beautiful wide stretches of safe sandy beach in the West Cornwall. There are several quaint narrow streets and interesting shops in the town, but glimpses of the sea around every corner remind the visitor of the town's dramatic neighbour - the island of St Michael's Mount. For those interested in sailing, Marazion is the home of the Mounts Bay Sailing Club, whose boats add colour to the water scene every weekend during the summer. In addition, there are often major National championship races which bring many hundreds of small craft to the town beach for week-long competitions - frequently of a very high international standard.

Between Penzance and Marazion lies the Marazion Marsh - an area of water and reed-beds which is a magnet for wild birds, particularly during the Autumn (Fall) migratory period. It is a very popular location with the many BirdWatchers who visit West Cornwall at these times of the year.

Access to Marazion is by road along the shore heading east from Penzance and there are several car parks on the shore immediately above the beach. There are regular bus services every day (including Sundays) between Penzance and Marazion.