Discover the legacy of St. Michael's Mount, the jewel in Cornwall's crown, during a memorable journey to this historic island paradise.
According to Roman historians, St. Michael's Mount was the Island of Ictis, the hub of the Cornish tin trade during the Iron Age. It is dedicated to the Archangel St. Michael who, according to legend, visited the Mount in 495 AD. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the invaders were struck by the similarity of the Mount to their own Mont St. Michel off the Normandy coastline, and their monks were invited to build a smaller abbey here in Cornwall. During Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, St. Michael's Mount was converted for use in coastal defense to protect England from feared French invasion. In 1659, Sir John St. Aubyn purchased the Mount, and his descendants subsequently turned the fortress into a magnificent residence. Today, St. Michael's Mount is the ancestral home of Lord St. Levan. Although much of the Mount is open to the public, his family still resides here in private quarters.
Once at the Mount, you'll tour at your leisure and there will be plenty of time to take photographs and soak up the scenery. There are also some wonderful shops located around the harbor area; the perfect place to purchase a memento of your day.
Your tour concludes as you cross over to the lovely seaside town of Marazion, which is easily accessible on foot along the quarter-mile causeway, by amphibious vehicle (subject to availability) or ferry, depending on the tides. Once in Marazion, you'll rejoin your coach for the return to Falmouth.
Please note: This tour includes a significant amount of strenuous walking over cobblestone surfaces with many steps to climb. The walk up to the Mount is steep and uneven and may be slippery when wet. The tour is not available to guests who utilize a wheelchair and not recommended for those guests with mobility concerns. Participants should be in good physical condition. Weather appropriate clothing and flat, comfortable walking shoes are suggested. Guests should be prepared for the possibility of rain.