What’s happening at St Michael’s Mount this Spring?
The iconic tidal island of St Michael’s Mount, off the coast of Marazion, West Cornwall, has an exciting programme of events planned for the year ahead. From rockpooling to tours of the castle, this unique destination is buzzing with fun initiatives to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
7 – 22 April – The Curious Easter Hunt:
Throughout the holidays, families can enjoy an Easter Trail, created by the Mount team, which takes place around the village on the island. It includes stories of the history of the Mount, the harbour and the boats. Guests will also come away with a beautifully packaged Cornish chocolate treat, just in time for Easter.
Easter Trails at St Michael’s Mount are priced at £2.50 per trail.
9, 18 & 21 April, 26 May, 2 June – Rockpool Explorer sessions:
Join Great Scott! Adventures Outdoors to discover the weird and wonderful sea creatures that live amongst the rocks surrounding the causeway – from starfish to crabs, learn about what they are and how they survive. Rockpooling is suitable for all ages and is a fantastic, fun way for children to learn about the sea creatures that can be found in Cornish waters. No nets are used, but buckets are encouraged, and rock pooling shoes or old trainers are recommended footwear.
Free to attend, event timings for the 2019 Rockpool Explorer season dates vary, depending on the tide.
Thursdays in May – Garden Tours:
Specialised tours of the beautiful gardens at St Michael’s Mount are to take place from 10 – 11am each Thursday in May. Individuals will enjoy an informative walk around the gardens, learning about the Victorian walled garden, the sub-tropical plants that grow there, and the gardeners who have abseil training in order to be able to tend to the challenging vertical cliff garden.
Garden Tours at St Michael’s Mount are priced at £10 for National Trust members and £18 for non-National Trust members. Advance booking recommended.
5 and 19 May – Forage and Picnic with Emma Gunn:
A great opportunity to learn about the incredible produce native to Cornwall, on a walk with foraging expert, Emma Gunn. Starting on Marazion beach, Emma will discuss the process of foraging, identifying the array of seaweeds that grow beside the causeway to the Mount including sea lettuce, Japanese wireweed, gutweed, dabberlocks, sugar kelp, oarweed, dulse, bladderwack, and spiraled wrack. The group will then be led to the Northern Woods, a beautiful terrain of woodland on the northern side of St Michael’s Mount not usually accessible by the public, allowing attendees to gain a real sense of exploring a completely natural habitat. This insightful walk will allow people to gain a real understanding of foraging as a process as well as the produce able to be foraged in Cornwall including sorrel, sow thistle, blackberries, nettles, dandelions, silverweed, three cornered leek and honeysuckle. After the walk, a delicious picnic will be provided, created by Sail Loft’s Head Chef, Greg Milne.
The Forage and Picnic with Emma Gunn is priced at £30 per ticket.
27 May – 31 May – Garden Magic:
The Mount’s garden lawn will become a hub of creativity for May half term, celebrating the colours that spring brings. Make giant floor mandalas from an array of natural materials such as shells, pine cones and leaves, create a mini mandala inspired by the visions of the garden as a keepsake from the day. Make leaf prints using the Japanese art of Hapa Zome to create a garden flag and look through the garden kaleidoscope, taking in the beautiful shapes, colours and patterns of the succulents.
Sunday 16 June – Open Day for the National Garden Scheme:
An opportunity to celebrate Father’s Day in one of the most beautiful coastal gardens in Cornwall, and to help raise money for the National Garden Scheme. All proceeds on this day are donated to the scheme’s nursing and caring charities. St Michael’s Mount Garden will be open from 10.30am to 5pm, and the usual garden entrance fee applies.
Tickets:
Separate and combined tickets for the Mount’s garden and castle are available.
An adult ticket for the castle is priced at £10.50, a garden ticket is priced at £8.00, and a combined ticket is £16. Child and family tickets are also available. Entry for National Trust members is free, on showing a valid National Trust membership card.
Main season opening hours:
Castle:
24 March to 28 June, 10.30am to 5.oopm, Sunday to Friday
30 June to 30 August, 10.00am to 5.30pm, Sunday to Friday
1 September to 1 November, 10.30am to 5.00pm, Sunday to Friday
Garden:
15 April to 28 June, 10.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
4 July to 30 August, 10am to 5.30pm, Thursday and Friday only
5 September to 27 September, 10.30am to 5.00pm, Thursday and Friday only
Access is by foot via the causeway at low tide, and by boat at other times. When the tide is in during the winter season, the amphibious vehicle, the St Michael, departs from Marazion Car Park slipway. Tickets can be purchased from the mainline guide. One way fares are £3 for adults, £1.50 for children.
Visitors to the Mount can visit both the Island Café and Sail Loft Restaurant without purchasing an entry ticket.
Head Chef Greg Milne sources local and seasonal Cornish produce to create delicious dishes for both the Sail Loft and Island Café. Set in the island’s old sail loft on the fringe of the village, close to the ticket office, it affords views over the ancient harbor. It serves a wide selection of light lunches, homemade bakes and cream teas, as well as daily specials, using the best local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients.
The Island Café is located on the eastern side of the island, near to the garden entrance, with an indoor dining area and popular outdoor area offering expansive sea views towards Marazion. Menu choices range from breakfast rolls and hot drinks, to traditional Cornish pasties and wraps for lunch. There are vegan and children’s menus available too.
Visitors can also take a piece of the island away with them at two of the Mount’s charming shops.
The Island Shop, which once housed the Mount’s barges, sells a variety of gifts including homeware, food goods, artwork and stationary from The St Michael’s Mount Collection, items such as artwork and tote bags from The Marine Range, designed by local artist Jack Drewitt, delicious Cornish fudge, homemade Marazion mead as well as clothing from well-known Cornish brands such as Seasalt.
The Courtyard Shop, located in the old blacksmith’s forge, is home to an array of books, artisan gifts such as jewellery, artwork by local Cornish artists, preserves made on the Mount and two bespoke ranges, the Illustrated Garden and the 1973 Collection.
The Illustrated Garden collection draws inspiration from the beautiful gardens surrounding the castle – boasting colourful stationery and homeware. Partnering with local business Bloom Remedies, the collection also sells organic natural skincare products. Inspired by a Swansea Pottery designed mug that was bought at auction by Lord and Lady St Levan, where St Michael’s Mount was depicted, the 1973 Collection uses local designers to create different interpretations of the island.