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St
Michael's Mount

Marazion
is famous for the legendary St Michael's Mount, the jewel
in Cornwalls crown with its fairy-tale castle surrounded
by the tide. The name comes from the vision of St Michael seen
by local fishermen around 495 AD. An old carved stone cross offers
evidence that the Mount had been used by the religious community
since before the Norman invasion.
In fact, St Michael's Mount
is thought to have been the site of a tin port in the late Iron
Age, just before the Roman Invasion. Since the Benedictine Monastery
was built in 1135AD, the Mount has been a priory, fortress, place
of pilgrimage and finally became a private home coming into the
ownership of the St Aubyn family in 1659.
In 1587 the beacon signal
on the Mount was lit to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada.
Although not successful on this occasion, in 1595 four Spanish
galleons landed two hundred men at nearby Mousehole and burned
it virtually to the ground. Newlyn and Penzance were also set
on fire, but the Spaniards were repulsed by a local fighting force
under Sir Francis Godolphin. The Mount then held a garrison for
many years, obtaining guns and ammunition by petitions to the
Crown.
On display throughout the castle are many paintings and
engravings of the Mount. Such a picturesque scene has inspired
artists through many centuries and helped the Mount become one
of the most visited National Trust properties in Britain and together
with Land's End, is probably one of the two most famous and visited
parts of the county of Cornwall.
THE CASTLE
28th March - 31st October 2010
Daily from 10.30am - 5.00pm (closed Saturdays). Last admission three quarters of an hour prior to castle closing time.
Tariff
Adults: £7.00
Child: £3.50
Family: £17.50
Single Adult Family £10.50
Groups (15+) Adult: £6.00 Child: £3.00
THE GARDENS
May to June: Mon-Fri from 10.30am - 5.00pm
July to October: Thurs & Fri ONLY from 10.30am - 5.00pm
Tariff
Adult: £3.50 Child: £1.50
COMBINED CASTLE & GARDENS
Adults: £8.75 Child: £4.25
Family: £21.75
Single Adult Family: £13.00
Groups (15+) Adult: £7.50 Child: £3.60
NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS
Access to the Castle and Gardens is free to National Trust Members.
BOATS
Access is by Causeway on foot at low tide: when the tide is in,
do experience a memorable trip by ferry boats. Our visitors do
enjoy this exciting journey to the historic harbour following
in the path taken by the Queen Victoria. The cost of the boats
is £1.50 per person each way and £1 each way for children
(under 15 years of age). Depending on the state of the tide, boats
leave from any of the three embarkation points on the mainland.
if the weather is inclement, information on boating conditions/arrangements
can be obtained from ringing 01736 710507 or 710265.

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