St Michael’s Mount

Still home to the St Aubyn family as well as a small community of 30 islanders, this iconic rocky island is crowned by a medieval church and castle – with the oldest buildings dating from the 12th century. 

Accessible by foot only during low tide, from as far back as 495AD, tales tell of seafarers lured by mermaids onto the rocks or guided to safety by an apparition of St Michael. The patron saint of fishermen, it’s said the archangel St Michael appeared on the western side of the island – below where the entrance to the castle is today – to ward fishermen from certain peril. It’s a legend which has brought pilgrims, monks and people of faith to the island ever since, to pray, to praise and to celebrate.

The island is also an important landmark for those spiritual seekers, who say its unique energy is thanks to age-old ley lines which course under the sea, and cross at the heart of the Mount.

By the time of the Norman conquest in 1066, St Michael’s Mount had come into the possession of the monks of its sister isle, Mont St Michel in Normandy. In the 12th century it was their hands that built the church and priory that still lie at the heart of the castle today. Explore the castle buildings, look down on the subtropical terraced garden and enjoy the breath-taking views of spectacular Mount’s Bay.

https://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/