Cornwall’s Fortified Island
The spectacular St Michael’s Mount has a long military history and is gradually reopening to visitors
St Michael’s Mount recently made headlines in the British press when its owners, the St Aubyn family, advertised for a live-in manager for their castle on the Cornish coast. A tidal island off Marazion, St Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s most famous heritage attractions. It has been the home of the St Aubyn family since the mid-1600s and has a unique military history alongside its magnificent setting.
Originally founded as a monastery, the Mount was gradually fortified and endured long sieges during the Wars of the Roses and the First
English Civil War. It was reinforced with pillboxes during WWII and high-ranking Nazi Joachim von Ribbentrop even wanted to live there after a successful invasion of Britain.
Although the St Aubyn family still reside on the Mount, it’s now largely owned by the National Trust. In line with the easing of UK restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, the island is re-opening on a gradual basis to manage visitor numbers on the island and mainland. All visitors must book tickets online and there are a range of options to choose from, including group tickets for organised groups and education visits. Castle and garden tickets are separate but there is also a Combi option to incorporate both. The National Trust is releasing tickets for the Mount in timed blocks, so consult the website below for available dates.
For more information visit: www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk