I don’t think a trip to Cornwall would be complete without Saint Michael’s Mount, arguably its most iconic place. Mirroring Mont St-Michel across the channel in Normandy, the castle towers high in Mount’s Bay and is super picturesque. But what exactly is it like to visit? We actually didn’t know what to expect but it was a lovely castle and made for a great day in Cornwall.

The History of Saint Michael’s Mount

There’s some debate as to the history of Saint Michael’s Mount and whether or not it came before or after its French twin, Mont St-Michel. It’s said that apparitions of Saint Michael first appeared on the mount in the 5th century (before Mont St-Michel) and thus became a place of pilgrimage. A few centuries later, an abbey for the French monks of Mont St-Michel was built on the island.

The St Aubyn family purchased Saint Michael’s Mount for private use in 1659. It is still a residence for the St Aubyn family but has co-owned by the National Trust and open to the public since the 1950s.

Visiting Saint Michael’s Mount Today

You can book tickets via the Saint Michael’s Mount website in advance. I’m not completely certain if tickets sell out but I always advise buying tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. When you get to the site, you’ll meet with a staff member who will give you a token for the castle and one for the gardens. This is your entry ticket. Be sure to get your ticket before walking across or getting on the boat to the mount.

If you’re an American you can become a “National Trust” member through the Royal Oak Foundation! You’ll get free entry and parking at National Trust sites. If you’re planning on visiting other National Trust sites as well, it may be worth the price to buy the membership.

When the tide is low, you can walk the pathway to the mount. When it’s high, there are boats available for a few pounds each way. There are lots of boats so the line goes quite quickly. When we were there, we got to experience both, so that was nice. Again, make sure you get your token-ticket beforehand. They check it when you enter the mount.

When you get to the mount, the visitor’s area is actually very flat and more on ground level. It’s not like Mont St-Michel where everything is on the way up the mount. It’s in this area that you can find a few shops, restaurants, some bathrooms, an exhibit hall on the history and maintenance of Mount Saint Michel, plus a small art gallery of local art. There’s actually a great number of facilities. I didn’t think the art gallery or exhibit hall were particularly notable but it’s something to check out, especially if you have time to kill before your timed tour.

The walk up is also not like Mont St-Michel, which has a nice walkway up. It is a short hike on what can be described as a nature trail. First you walk up some steep stone steps. Then there is a cobblestone walkway up a steep slope. There are a few benches here and there. Then you get towards the top and it’s just natural rock. My mom has mobility issues so it was very troublesome finding the best rocks to step up on to get to the entrance, and then to balance on them and try not to fall.

I was pretty shocked, actually, that such a popular attraction wouldn’t have a walkway all the way up. I guess they have a reason, but it seemed a bit inconsiderate to children and guests with mobility issues, and it’s something to keep in mind if you have the same.

But alas… we did make it to the top (and then down) without falling.

The castle is a private residence of an art collecting family and it is pretty. As it’s still a family home, the decor is still from the 19th and 20th centuries. It’s also a bit more tame than other stately homes and castles but there are many parts that highlight stunning craftsmanship and design. My particular favorite was the dining room and its gorgeous plaster walls and stained glass.

Another favorite is the chapel which dates to the late 19th century, and its lovely sculptures and stained glass.

There are also a few terraces where you can step out and have a view over the bay. It was pretty cool being up here and seeing the tide come in. I also didn’t expect the water to be so beautifully blue here.

A big highlight of our visit was actually the Cornish afternoon tea at the Harbour Loft Restaurant! Virtually everything is sourced from Cornwall, even the tea itself is grown in Tresillian. They have vegetarian and vegan teas, as well. It was delicious and we loved trying some new flavors.

The website says walk-ins are welcome but we had a reservation and the person in front of us didn’t, and they were given a 2 hour wait. So I’d highly recommend reservations.

You can also get separate tickets to see the garden. There’s a huge amount of grass space available for anyone to lounge on, have a picnic, etc. Only a small part is the garden. I found it to be a lot different than I was expecting and was surprised to see so many succulents and other flora I thought grew in warmer climates. It’s definitely not a typical English garden.

It’s currently priced at £14 which I find a little steep for the size. However if you get the afternoon tea I mentioned above, it’s included (double check before purchasing though). You can also get in for free with a Royal Oak or National Trust membership.

The Town of Marazion

The town of Marazion (where Saint Michael’s Mount is) is also a cute little town. They have a few places to get souvenirs and artwork, something to eat (like a Cornish pasty), and of course there’s the huge, stunning beach. We spent a little bit of time walking through the town but it would’ve been nice to have had a beach day.

If you’re ever in south Cornwall then Saint Michael’s Mount is definitely a place you need to put on your bucket list. It’s a unique, pretty place and makes a lovely day out.

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