St Michael's Mount, Cornwall - Is it worth visiting? Rip Off National Trust or a perfect day?
Vložit
- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- Whenever we've visited St Michael's Mount, it has left us with a little bit of magic! St Michael's Mount is a unique mansion, perched on a lofty isolated mass of rock, separated from Marazion at high water by about four hundred yards of sea, but at low water connected to the mainland by a stone causeway. It's solitariness and grandeur suggest something of the romantic story that has been woven around its venerable, weather-worn walls during hundreds of years.
But there have been some unpopular changes in the last few years relating to car parking, ticketed entry and a summer dog ban. Not all visitors are leaving with a bit of magic. Has St Michael's Mount lost it's sparkle?
In this video we will be taking a deeper look at the comments left on Trip Advisor, both good and bad. More importantly we will be taking our own tour to gain a current visitor point of view. How many stars would we give it? Is it over priced? What is the food like?
Let's take a proper look and find out if its worth it.
The Trip Advisor and Google reviews have been taken at face value, and have not been verified.
The standard description bit…
We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on CZcams, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!
We love your comments and read all of them. We also answer as many as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot answer comments received more than a week after publication.
Frequently asked questions:
What are your dogs called?
Sorry but we do not release the names of our dogs but perhaps you could make up a name for them!
What camera do we use?
Since December 2018 we have used: Canon Powershot G7x MkII
How do I find the books you use?
Most are still in print although some we pick up in charity shops and may be available on Amazon secondhand. Please refer to the video for the book titles. Every video shows the book three times. Sorry but we can’t put a link in every description.
Best time of year to visit Cornwall?
We love May, June for flora and fauna, July and September for spectacular scenery.
To embed this video please contact us. We have disabled this feature.
Our links:
To support our channel with a donation: www.cornishwalkingtrails.co.u... Many thanks
Contact us by email: cornishwalkingtrails@gmail.com
Etsy Shop: for sea glass projects and other artwork created by Sarah www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CornishW...
I stopped my membership to the NT when they threw famers out of their homes and turned them into holiday homes in the Lakes using the excuse of consolidating farms, also they gave millions to rebuild homes ( 40 million for one property alone ) lived in by entitled aristocrats but did not even try to buy a large estate in the lake district for only 2 million with views and walks to die for Skelthwaite I believe, and large area for car parking close to Keswick.
I am Cornish, my family are from Marazion, I used to walk across to the Mount every year, but no longer due to the NT rip off.
We were the same! Used to take the kids over to run along the causeway, explore the harbour and give the dog a walk. They thought they had been to St Michael’s Mount! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails I used to be the first to wade across as the tide dropped, but will not visit again - great shame.
Living in Marazion, I echo your regrets because we have been robbed and cheated out of what seemed like a privileged right set in stone that dated
back centuries. Now; sitting on the quay alone in the silver solitude of a moonlight night for me, has to stay a precious memory gone forever with my generation. I wonder which petty functionary in some ivory tower was responsible for that burglary?
THIS!!
@@grrfymoan moan
Hi, I ditched the TV licence about a year ago, I thought my wife would rebel and pay it herself, she did complain for a while, then she discovered CZcams on our Smart TV and the awesome content available. For the last couple of weeks we've been watching your adventures and loving what you do, your videos are relaxing to watch and informative, with a little bit of humour. Getting rid of the TV licence has opened up a whole new world of entertainment. We've become avid fans of your channel. We know making these videos can be time consuming and we appreciate the effort you put into making them, thanks for sharing your wonderful walks. All the best Tim and Karen.
Same here. CZcams subscription is well worth it. What I hear about legacy tv, it sounds like I’m not missing much . . .
Especially the BBC with their leftie political agenda
I went to the Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal, a fantastic mediaeval monastery, a World Heritage site and with a free castle next to it, absolutely top class. Cost €6, or c. £5.50. NT is far too grasping.
The nt did start out with the right idea but now it a business plan and moneybags. These properties started off for the privileged class of titles. Today it's privileged class of lots of cash, ordinary people have no place at nt sites.
NT properties provide accommodatiom within the main houses and castles for admin staff and their friends. I know because I have seen comings and goings after hours at a couple of NT properties. Your membership fees subsidise a gracipus country house lifestyle for the NT admin pepple and their chums. The NT is corrupt.
Never been the same since Lord and Lady St Levan passed away and the St. Aubyn family took over. Used to be a glorious magical place to visit.
Lots of changes over the past few years! It's become so popular and an icon of Cornwall. Sarah :)
Thank you Sarah and Andrew for taking me on a lovely walk around Saint Michaels Mount. I could never manage all the steps at my age, thanks again.
It is a bit of a climb! I think coming back down can be more challenging! Sarah :)
I'm the same now.
The more Cornwall puts up it's prices the less people will come here it's the law of averages
You are probably right!! Sarah :)
As a resident good , sick and tired of clearing up emmitts mess
Not really, it will be just be the well heeled....
@@antonygill5104 but not sick of the revenue and jobs brought to the area.
Wishing tourists would stay away from Cornwall is reckless, blinkered and selfish. Name me one firm, organisation or individual in this blessed county who doesn't benefit from the tourist industry either directly or indirectly. Tourists are welcome - grokles who come to stay - not so much......in fact, not at all.
Well done Sarah; nicely covered. As a St. Ives man since 1945 here's my tips: . 1. Go to St.Ives/Carbis Bay; in the dead of winter; St.Ives beauty is independent of weather. 2. If you have to tick St. Michael's off your bucket list, go in the dead of winter, ( no sweat scenario). 3. Don't take Rover to Cornwall anyway; you might like to join the swelling mass of grockles; to him it's just another smell zone. 4. Go to St. Michael by boat; you're by the seaside already; don't ignore any boat ride. 5. Beware of car parks like Initial....they make a wedge from people who really think they know the parking instructions, then find out they don't.....and finally, 7. Go to St. Ives........oh....I see I've already mentioned that! Nice one Sarah and ...who's the guy with you?
St Ives is an even bigger rip off.I know because I'm local.
@@charlesreynolds7407 Personally I don't see the appeal of St Ives. A lot of up country people selling extortionately priced 'stuff'
We do bring our dog to Cornwall because we love the more rugged North Cornwall coast where you can go awhile without seeing anybody! He loves it and much better than these over priced, over populated tourist towns
1. As long as it's not around Christmas/New Year time for St Ives, it would usually be at least a bit quieter in winter, for sure. We usually get lots of tourists descending for that festive period, you can definitely notice the uptick in traffic and people. 3. We usually call them emmets, I've never heard a local call them grockles and I'm from St Ives, still living fairly local to it too. Devon is a different story - have heard the term "grockles" used there before.
@@71JediKnight Many of us local to the area tend to avoid St Ives like the plague during summer (well, from Easter really but especially the height of summer), September festival, and Christmas/New Year. I pity those who have to work there. I used to work there and the town was hell on earth in the summer. Best sit in the office and eat a packed lunch rather than go out and try to navigate through the throngs of people - you'd waste half your lunch hour trying to get anywhere lol. The residential streets were definitely advertised as free parking by some places, and we'd get whacking great camper vans parked there, many people would get their driveways blocked too. I don't miss living and working in St Ives really. Now we are just far enough away, but not too far for dropping in to see my parents for a cuppa etc. That said, getting into St Ives and back out again is still a bit of a nightmare in summer. We have to double the journey time at the very least. It's why we get so snappy at tourists - they're not really on a strict schedule but some of us have appointments to get to and it's just so frustrating sometimes when they meander along at 5mph straddling the white line so you can't pass them either. Meh. Signed, a grumpy local lol
@@randomnesspersonified Emmetts came out of us Downlongers in the 1950's. The word is a derivation of lemmings and tourists, i.e lemm = emm and tourists = ts, transcribed to emmetts! Lemmings is highly descriptive of the summer rush to West Pentire!
This is my favourite view in Cornwall , I love it & I live down here. We went across recently & was disappointed that you can't get onto the island without paying. You used to be able to visit the shops, gallery, harbour & cafe for free & only pay if you wanted to see the Castle & garden. I would have thought these businesses would miss out.
Thanks for showing the Mount I agree it is magical ..
Parking in Germany is sometimes a problem with the privately monitored parking lots, so you have to read them very carefully, otherwise you will be fined. I'm right there with you St. Michael's Mount is a highlight but the most beautiful thing is the garden, we were in the garden for the first time in 2016 and were overwhelmed. When we were there in 2018, the garden was marked by the harsh winter at the entrance there were pictures with snow, it was bad how the garden looked. It's nice to see that the garden looks so great again. Thank you for your great video and greetings from the Palatinate Günter
So very sad how this has changed over the years. Family live in Cornwall so my first visit 25yrs ago. Only min entrance fee. Boat free. Dogs back then could roam beached. That's changed so I understand the ruling no dogs.
You mentioned the lively feel of the cobble stones. I'm wheelchair bound so can only look, remember and dream of how that felt. No wheelchairs as not wheelchair friendly..... but does have disabled toilet lol
We joined Nat Trust while there as it covered all our parking fees for our two week stay. We checked map for as many places as possible to get our monies worth.
Thank you for this lovely video and review of St. Michael's Mount. I have been there twice and have loved it. Once in 2012 on a group travel when we walked back on the causeway - which was a bit surreal to us 😁 And also last year in mid July with my friend. This is such an extraordinarly experience, and the castle is truly magical. We also got very good information from the staff in several different rooms, ecpecially in the chapel, where a lovely lady gave us a detailed lecture about the room. Sadly the garden was not open on that day, so we missed it. But I am unable to say that the price of £14 we paid for the entrance and the £2.50 we paid for the boat is too expensive. It was not more crowded than this in mid July last year. Perhaps we were lucky. This is a very special place, and will stay in our memories. The staff at the café were kind enough to let ut share a pasty (not due to the price, but to our lack of hunger🙂), which we really enjoyed. But as we are super emmets, we probably cannot really judge the taste and consistence of a proper pasty 😂
Hi Torunn! Andrew was not impressed by the pasty offering, and we both felt disappointed if that was a visitor's first pasty experience, there are far better examples, one being Philps in Marazion! Despite saying that, the Mount is a wonderful place to visit. We know that we are lucky to live in Cornwall and choose our day to visit, Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails Hi, Sarah! Andrew is the pasty wizard 😁 I have had many pasties in Cornwall and this ons was not the very best but we enjoyed it anyway 😁 Have not yet had the pleasure of tasting Philps, and not Anne's pasties either. But those at Chouch Bakery in Porthcothan were really tasty. Many other have been good too. But who am I to judge 😄 Pasties are for us endemic to Cornwall and therefore magical 🥰 Torunn 😄
I love your VLogs. You explore places that I can never hope to visit. I'm disabled with difficulty walking so getting to many of these places is virtually impossible. Thank you, for what you do
You're welcome! Sarah :)
I am the same. I either use a walker or two crutches. I used to be extremely fit but, no longer. I really love these videos.
Well done you brave pair! Lots of useful info. Your candid comments were very helpful and honest. Thank you both. ❤
Glad it was helpful! Sarah :)
❤ Wow, I really enjoyed the tour on St. Michaels. But It was quite expensive. Especially without the National Trust membership. It's a unique place and the garden was very beautiful ❤. If I came to visit Cornwall, I think I would want to see it. I think it's a pity that it has to be that expensive, but there's a lot of people working there, that has to be paid. The food is rather expensive too, and if it's not as good as the price, I think I would bring a sandwich or something myself. I don't have to think about the price for parking, as I don't have a car, but that was quite expensive too. I love watching it through your camera and your're so good at explaining it all. Loved the tour guys and have a lovely rest of your weekend 🤗❤❤. Oh, and the dog ban during the summer, might cause that a lot of tourists don't wanna visit 🥺. Thank you Sarah and Andrew for all the work you do to give us some lovely and informative videos 🤗❤✨️❤
A well thought out and constructed video. Well done.
It’s many many years since we visited St. Michael’s Mount via the causeway, it was one of the many wonderful experiences Cornwall had to offer, the memories one collects as we get older become more precious each day, I remember a Cornish pasty and cream tea would be a must and the highlight of my young families day, everything seemed so magical, we never had to worry about car parking and such:) the price of progress or, just a rip off! thank you 🙏 Sarah & Andrew for another informative video with stunning views as always 🥰🥀🤗
The part where you say ''the memories one collects as we get older become more precious every day'' really hits home. A poignant thought...and one which rings very true. 😔
@@judybee Yes I have over sixty years of memories just wish my late husband was still here to share them, he would just love Sarah & Andrews amazing videos, he had the same mischievous humour as Andrew, they really make my day, kind regards from Derby’s 🤗
HI Bernice, hope you are well, I think it was a nicer experience years ago, can feel like a bit of a visitor experience production line at times! I guess they have to manage the crowds that come these days. Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails My thoughts as well Sarah, it was very relaxed back then, no traffic jams either life had a much slower pace, the good old days, I still remember them like it was yesterday, been doing a lot of reminiscing lately Scotland is in the forefront with S7 of ‘Outlander’ starting on Friday, spent over sixty years visiting between Cornwall & Scotland both stunning in different ways obviously! take care Bernice 🤗
I was there Sunday and think it was fair value for the money. Visited Tintagel Castle Wednesday and would say Saint Michael’s mount was a better value.
Yes, definitely agree with that! Sarah :)
Thank you so much for showing us around my favourite place in Southern Cornwall (alongside Mousehole and St Ives) - it has filled in the gap a little with my yearning to go back straight away - it’s interesting to hear of the cost of the castle and garden as we didn’t visit those (we went in mid September a few years ago) (given how much it now costs I think I would join the NT just before going and then take ‘advantage’ of membership for the year visiting some other lovely properties. It is well worth just missing the dry causeway to wade through a few inches of water on the way back - such fun! Just don’t do it with the water up to your neck like one couple we witnessed - the island had to get the boat out to check they were actually ok, which they were - just enjoying the ‘experience’ - we were told a few people do this each year - but it looked quite dangerous to me, a few inches was more than enough.
I agree that the cafe is too expensive. - NT cafes always are,I think it is false economy too as if people didn’t feel ‘ripped off’ they would buy more and enjoy the day much more & there is such a mark up on food there is just no need to overcharge - glad to hear there are some gluten free options though as I am gluten free too. There needs to be much more of that available and especially gluten free pasties and scones!
Really well made video and so useful for anyone wanting to visit the Mount. I love Cornwall but not been there since I was a kid
Great video guys and a good insight into St Michael's Mount and gardens. We like to visit Marazion either for a walk or to have tea with view of the mount. And what stunning views.
Not been there for years, so it's great to see this little tour. Lovely to see the gardens looking nice - my old neighbour has a hand in that.
What an excellent review. I was distracted by your earrings, they’re fabulous!!
We were there about 15 years ago at night. It was a fun atmosphere with only about 10 of us waiting for the tide. It was such fun zipping about on the island at twilight.
My husband and I were there the first full week of May visiting from USA. I was very interested in visiting St. Michael’s Mount because my maternal grandmother’s family lived in the village at the base of the hill for a couple of hundred years. I was disappointed that the weather that day was just awful. A storm came in and the wind was fierce, there was hail and lightning and so we were unable to really look around and explore the way I wanted to. The castle was nice but we were wet through and skipped the garden even though we had bought tickets. I really wish we had been able to walk around the village. I had information from census records as to where my family had lived but I never saw any street names and houses don’t appear to have numbers anymore so all of that was a bust. I would have liked to explore the graveyard also as I have ancestors buried there but it isn’t allowed. I loved just being able to walk in their footsteps a tiny bit though. Their name was Sennett.
What a disappointing experience for you, such a shame! I wish we could bundle up our day and gift it to you, I hope, if you get to come over again, you have a better time, Sarah :)
How interesting - I think the NT are missing a trick there if they haven’t got signage & information on display about the history of the families living there - that’d make a really good exhibit. Write to them and suggest it given that your family were residents Mary
@@CornishWalkingTrails Thank you very much. I learned a lot about the Sennets from a book called ‘The Mount People’ by Jane Mason. It lists the six families that were there the longest and gives their family trees and occupations. Most of them had nothing to do with the castle and were mariners, boatmen, fisherman and masons.
I think had you written to the Trust before your visit they would have done research for you, and let you into the cemetery
@@juliawigger9796 I know you can sign up if you have a special connection to the Mount but because I was traveling from the USA and didn’t know if I would be able to ever come back I decided not to bother. I probably should have done it though.
Loved this. It is really helpful to hear your comments and to see the lovely video of a very unique place to visit.
Thank you for a lovely video and your well balanced comments. Enjoyable and refreshing to watch and listen to. 4 is good, always room for improvement! 😊
Thank you for a fabulous video .. I'm a dog owner and to be honest I wouldn't dream of taking my dogs up to the Castle or Gardens and can totally appreciate the ban... X
Was here just the other week while doing your Poldark 6 mile hike from Treen. Our last day we thought we’d go to this. But, like many others we all turned around and walked back. Prices are crazy… So we did the next best thing. Went to Philps Cornish Pasty just around the corner and sat on the beach and ate that. 😂
I bet the Philips pasty took the edge off the disappointment, proper ‘ansom! Sarah :)
We have been to the castle as NT members and enjoyed it. Used the causeway and ate in Penzance. I think the entry price is set to encourage people to sign up to the NT. You do get the advantage of free parking at NT car parks, and entry to other sites. It's easy to get your membership cost back in the first year by visiting NT places.
agreed
We did and then couldn’t cancel a year later be warned.
Does it "encourage"? Sounds like the rich believe how the poor think, A touch of Thatcherism? That £3.99 is the way forward, Getting more for your "buck"(pounds).Probably spend the same amount of money and seem to get more, Parking fee's are the same as our beach
Thank you Sarah and Andrew. Great video and helpful information xx
Cheers! Sarah :)
I arrived on a Saturday, in 2018 - closed because the Staff had decided not to work on Saturday's. ! Better visit Mount Sai t Michel in France - a million times more beautiful, full of history & a lot more to see
Absolutely brilliant, thank you 🙌📸☀️
Brilliant visit & review! ~ a gem of a destination. I've had just two visits in recent years ~ the first nearly 10yrs ago. Don't know whether it was because of being out of season, or pure serendipity, but I had the 'castle' almost all to myself! I was free to wander around, back & forth and linger to look at portraits and furnishings. With so few people around, the historic atmosphere of the rooms really came to the fore. I realize now that that was a unique experience to savour, and probably not to be repeated! I did visit again a couple of years ago (with membership card) but the crowds put me off, so just looked in at the gift shop and left. The gardens are sublime, and the colours of flowering succulents stunning...another artwork in the making Sarah?
It is somewhere I would love to find a quiet corner to sketch for a couple of hours! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails I so hope that turns into a plan you can realize :)
Loved the gardens. Thanks for the tour, I found it interesting. 🤗
I enjoy watching your videos , you’re videos are great for those who can’t walk as we feel inclusive in seeing breathtaking places without your videos and information and entertainment we would just continue daydreaming , so a big Thankyou to you both , I feel I was there with you enjoying every experience xx
How lovely at 9 mins on. Looks beautiful and the birdsong makes it feel like you could be anywhere in the world.
The gardens are absolutely beautiful and well worth the walk around! I love St Michaels Mount ❤
Love the succulents🎉🎉🎉
Loved your last visit on Mount St. Michael.....can't wait to see more !!😁
Glad you enjoyed it! Sarah :)
That’s me in my work van. I’d been over the mount to to do routine maintenance on the sewage pumping station. We go over approximately ever 6 weeks and continue to keep up maintenance. We certainly don’t just drive up and down the causeway to annoy people.
Thank you. I know who the annoying people are😋
You two are class .and your honesty is fabulous .😃
Excellent Guys!
St Michaels Mount still gives me that childhood tingle every time I visit....it is so special and unique in this country. That first glimpse of the Castle sitting i the shimmering sea as you approach Marazion, is amazing. Fairy Tale stuff.
Whether travelling on foot or by boat (I actually like to do both - one each way).
Food - cant expect anything too special in any tourist location like this, and don't forget EVERYTHING has to be transported to the Castle at extra cost. Rather take a picnic with you, especially as there is a Philps in the town!
Dogs - as a dog owner we would prefer to have our dog with us, but quite understand that the damage to lawns would be unsightly - you can walk across the causeway with your dog in Summer, but only as far as the Castle gate. So if you don't intend to go into the Castle grounds that option is open to you.
Parking - I do wish that Cornwall Council/tourism could get its 'tourist act' together and have ONE App for ALL car parks. It would be a lot simpler than having to try to download yet another app with sketchy mobile coverage with the clock ticking for receiving a parking fine. On the other hand the parking rate isn't excessive and I always park where you parked.
Surely they could advise private land owners on the App of choice for the county.
We will be in Cornwall this summer, and no trip is complete without a visit to St Michaels.
Hi Gordon, a wonderful setting and beautiful place to visit!
I totally agree about so many parking apps - takes up so much memory on my phone, then they go in the cloud, can't remember passwords and still can't pay!! Ughhh!
The car park at Marazion is owned by St Aubyn Estates, that's Lord St Levan's company and he owns the Mount, with the National Trust, so I guess he is free to do as he sees fit! Sarah :)
What a nice couple, thanks for the info. Will visit next time I’m in the area.
Our pleasure! Sarah :)
I love St Michael Mount, but like you i actually prefer the gardens to the castle. Top tip from me wouldbe time your entry just as the tide is clearing the causeway. There is something very magical about walking slowly across the causeway just as the sea is parting, revealing the pathway to the enchanting island.
Splendid video, many thanks. Cornwall; where every road leads to a council run car park lol.
Visited by boat. Loved it! Thanks for the memory.
Have visited St Michael’s Mount, before lockdown, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I would go back to the garden but not the house. We have seen it now and , lovely though it is it doesn’t really change, whereas the gardens are dynamic, changing with the seasons , definitely worth seeing again. As for the cost - everything is more expensive and they are running a business. Take your own picnic & enjoy the views - wonderful. Oh and take the bus if you can 👌🏻
Sounds like my perfect visit to St Michael's Mount! Sarah :)
A great visit… always skipped the gardens- had no idea! Will make them a priority next time ❤
Like your new format regarding “is it worth it” Great information. Now realise I can’t afford it.
We visited from the Downunderlands in 2006. We had both National Trust and English Heritage memberships. Loved our day out at St Michael's Mount, even if I did graze my knees when I fell on the way up. Happy memories.
€18 to visit Le Mont st Michele in France in our motorhome. Just pay for 24hr parking and get on the free shuttle bus. Much more to see and do there. We have stayed overnight twice and love visiting at sunset. You do pay to see the Abbey at €10 for adults. Le Mont st Michelle is clearly a bigger and better place, and massively cheaper.
We have never been ourselves! It’s on the bucket list though! Sarah :)
I had to cancel my holiday to Cornwall as it was going to cost me to much...being a single man and his dog it is very hard to find reasonable priced accommodation and the number of places that you can't take your dog make it hard to plan days out....I just watch and enjoy Cornwall in your videos thank you Andrew and Sarah
It is an expensive place to visit these days! Sarah :)
I'm just the same. I spent a magical week in July 2018 at a wonderful cottage in Cadgwith. This year the same cottage was double what i paid back then at a similar time, nearly £1000. Put your diesel costs on top of that as well as food etc and the place is far too expensive. In essence I'm glad i visited when it was cheap because today I'm forced stop away.
@@crckr2010 Totally resonate with you, we are Cornish and see prices that make our eyes water! Sarah :)
We visited last year. Not cheap but two adults and a child travelled by train from Bristol to Penzance and back to London for less than £100. We stayed in Newlyn for three nights in an AirB&B for £400 where we could cook our own food. The visit to St Michael's mount cost £80. Travelling around was very cheap with a family ticket on the open top bus at £15 which took us to Land's End, St. Ives and Carbis Bay. Since that was our main holiday and the weather was great on balance it was a good holiday and regarding money, we just took the hit!@@CornishWalkingTrails
Wow! What a treat...took me back to last September when my daughter and I were able to visit. You had two wonderful plusses: sunshine and an open garden. Although St. Michael's was definitely magical, those two things would have made it even more so. Car park was one of the easiest to use on our trip. We probably had about as many visitors on that day as you did, being at the end of tourist season. What's a holiday without a few others! Ha...You can't expect a "tourist convenience" cafe to be as good or inexpensive as those competing with others. I'd say adequate and over-priced. Highly recommend St. Michael's Mount and hope to see it again...along with the gardens. Just do your research before you go and you'll be okay.
Hi Heather! I wish we could package up the day that we visited and let you enjoy the gardens and the sunshine!! May was a perfect month for the gardens, Sarah :)
This is such a great video. Thanks.
❤ Haven't seen the video yet, but I have been looking so much forward to see it. I have been at my sisters home for the weekend, and she doesn't like me being too much on my phone, so I had to wait until I got home. Gonna watch it now 😍
Great video many thanks saved me going
Thanks for a lovely video. I visited many years back (maybe 30?) and went with my children to the top. Back by boat which is fun. I've visited Penzance and Marazion a few times since but never been over to the island again. I remember the café and am sad to see they haven't improved the catering. The cost of a visit I think has kept up with the times, it was never cheap but in fairness it must take a lot to upkeep.
The best part is to sit by the causeway as the tide is coming in and watch people setting off from the island and struggling, some through chest-high waters.
Some delightful memories! Sarah :)
Your video has sparked my urge to return to St Michael's Mount. My last was 50 year ago as a young child, and still hold some magical memories.
New here! Just. Loving it thank you. I’m in Bath area and haven’t been down in years so lovely to watch. Thank you lovely couple
Wonderful video as always. Thank you.
You're welcome, Sarah :)
You visiting The Mount has saved me the bother of even thinking of going there. The aristos who live there must be making an absolute fortune out of the 340,000 mugs that visit there annually.
I was hoping someone would twig! 340k vistors at an average spend of £30? It's a comfortable living, Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails I know there are upkeep and maintenanc costs but they must be on a major profit by merely living there. Has this family been there since the year dot? Building that castle up there at the period in history when the work was done is a massive architectural of work carried out by superhuman heroes. I'm severely sight impaired and 76 andt living not far from the Mount. Being able to see it thru your eyes has made it come alive for me.
@@philfletcher3434 About a 1000 years ago the Mount was a priory and the Mansion has been added to and renovated over the years. According to Wikipedia, 'The St Aubyn Baronetcy, of St Michael's Mount in the County of Cornwall, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom in 1866 for the first Baron's father, Edward St Aubyn. He was the illegitimate son of Sir John St Aubyn, 5th Baronet, of Clowance'. So they haven't been there that long in the grand scheme of things! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails Hi Sarah, due to my physical disabilities I'll never be able to visit there now; I only have limited sight and mobility issues. I'm living in Newlyn right now. Yhis is why yours and Andrew's travelogues are really useful and informative (and entertaining ) to virtually housebound people like me.
Enjoyed the walk . Lovely .
The more I see of these types of videos the more I’m convinced I’m right: Britain’s attractions have become victims of their own success, and in Cornwall especially. Thankfully I can sit here watching brilliant CZcams videos (like this one) of places to visit in my own country and save my limited cash.
Dover Castle is the same! Used to be a "freebie"! But now a "King's Ransom"
Money grabbers.
What makes me laugh is, they cannot take it with them when they die.
You are both excellent company. Many thanks.
Thank you! Sarah :)
My wife and I watched your video on Friday and then re-watched it Saturday as i missed the info about parking. I have mentioned this before, tourists can get extra fees charged to them if they park in such a parking lot, if they cannot prove payment as the rental companies charge extra fees. When you mentioned someone had paid in coin and did not get a receipt it made me wonder what they cannot just put a bloke (or gal) in a booth to accept payment and hand out tickets. Also, the prices did seem steep which has made us questions visiting St. Micheal’s Mount when we travel to England later this year. We always enjoy Andrews perspectives and wisdoms as well as you fabulous videos. Take care. Safe walks.
That was so informative guys and super useful for us when we come down to that neck of the woods on our stay cation soon 👍. We have a dog, so it would be a no go sadly for us, but we love admiring it from the mainland or walking the causeway 😍. The gardens look amazing and would be definitely on my agenda and I could spend quite a while in those gorgeous gardens.. so I don't think eleven pounds is too bad for that experience personally. I guess it's down to the individual and what floats your boat really 😉. Thanks so much for the tour and the parking info is super useful to know before hand 🅿️👌💖😘
Thank you! A local's guide to help you have a great day! Sarah :)
Thanks a lot - a very balanced and informative video !! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Glad it was helpful! Sarah :)
Best way to the see the Mount is by Kayak. Travelled around island and landed in the harbour. Parking in the car park by the beach further away
and closer to Penzance is cheaper and its a nice walk.
We had trouble with that car park and I'm cornish I pressed a wrong number on my ticket and was told to pay a 200 quid fine well we fought it and won I pressed an O instead of a 0 as I got asbergers
Hi guys just stumbled on your channel. My grandparents used to have a house near porthcurno, and I always loved the walks near Logan rock, and the coastline around that south side to lands end.
We love to visit the Mount. When on holiday in Cornwall we look up the tides so we dont need the boats and book as we are NT members. The gardens are lovely too in the summer. We went one time after lockdown and there was a queue down the path to get in which I think was due to poor planning by the booking people. Usually we get in no problem queues. We usually take our own food and drinks in case of long queues. We have eaten in Marazion before
I enjoyed the video, I agree prices have gone up but that is across the board with the NT, I definitely agree with the dog ban, I you haven't already been I suggest you you visit the sister monastery in Northern France, Mont Saint Michel, You will be blown away,
I have been every year in the last 20 years; yes it is my favourite place anywhere.
If you are a NT member it is great value, but it has got very expensive for non members.
You are right the garden is the highlight along with the views from the terrace.
I do think it is a shame that you have to get a ticket to access the island now. I understood why this was brought in during the staycation boom, but there is no need to maintain this now.
I will be back on July and thanks for the update on the car park, very useful.
A thoughtful video. 👍 Whether anything is value for money is totally subjective. But with the NT it must be remembered that it is a charity, so you're not just buying a ticket or food or a souvenir as you would in any other shop but you are also supporting a good cause and raising funds for charity in a unique place. The rules of competition don't apply.
Equally, these prices aren't a secret. People can easily find them online and decide if they are willing to pay.
Visiting tourist attractions is a luxury. It's rarely going to be a bargain - and if it was then the queues, crowds, and car parking problems would all be even worse.
I have been there twice and enjoyed every minute .
So in 2007 my wife reminded me that we took out a visitors membership of the NT. that enabled us to do Kingston Lacy Corfe Castle, Brownsea, Cloud's Hill Thomas Hardy house etc, and then At Michael's Mount and somewhere else in west Cornwall
Worth every penny. JOIN.
We were planning to visit in September, but alas we can’t as we have our dogs, I understand why they enforced a ban, but it’s still disappointing 😢
I agree! We are on a mission to find a decent dog friendly castle! Sarah :)
thank you for this I am disabled I now see I can never vist so thank you for showing me around
It’s lovely 👌
Nice film guys 👍 very well made .. luckily we sre in the NT which helps eith parking down cornwall but most of the private car parks are getting a right rip off in Cornwall i tend to save parking tickets s few weeks just Incase, thanks for the good film regards Glyn
One thing worth mentioning is the locals pass from May 1st to end September. Free access for locals (penzance penwith area) to the island only. Im a NT member but im not sure as I live in Falmouth how it works if I visit with a non NT member from Falmouth, just to the free island. Is there now only free island access to locals pass holders ?. Also last time I visited they shut the gate on us as the water was starting to cover the causeway, which meant we were forced to climb over and intended the paddle back through ankle deep water. I understand the potential dangers of the tide, but considering theres no restrictions the other end, I felt a bit controlling. The gardens are amazing ! The free green area behind the cafe perfect for picnics and relaxing. I think as long as you’ve booked you can go across anytime during that day. You can arrive a good hour at least before low tide to walk across.
Hi Julian, Local's pass is restricted to the parishes of Penwith, and grants access to the village and harbour only, not the castle or the garden. There was a big backlash last year when a fee of £14 was introduced to visit the harbour and village, and they had to relent, hence the local's pass, and the fee has been removed. Other Cornish residents still have to book. It's not as generous as Eden or Heligan where a local's pass gives you access for the year to everything. Sarah :)
Hi Sarah and Andrew, I think if was to go to St Michael's Mount, it would be for the gardens, I love alpine plants, and I would definitely take a picnic, The prices are a bit over the top, buy putting prices up to high they will loss money because some people will not pay that kind of money and will just go away, by keeping prices down they will get more visitors and in the long run make more money, Thank you for the walk around the beautiful gardens 👍👍
I love the gardens too! Sarah :)
Liked and subscribed. Perfect, informative and interesting. Coming to Devon and Cornwall for couple of weeks in Sept. Week in Pentewan and a week around Newquay area. Just deciding on trip to St Michaels or Minack as a bit of a rush to do both on same day!?
Over the years we have visited Marazion many times, but because we had our little dog with us were unable to visit the Mount. Now that we no longer have our little fur-baby, a trip to the castle was on the cards. So thank you Sarah & Andrew for this insight . Firstly, the pricing does seem a bit steep, why no concessions or price for couples ?(from what I saw it was mostly older couples taking the tour).Yes ,I know that NT members get in free, but not everyone can afford the yearly cost. Secondly, the Café prices, although they are what you would expect in a visitor attraction it did seem a bit high, when you consider your verdict on the quality. Andrew's face said it all on the first bite! Bring a picnic, sit on the lawn. The gardens however were gorgeous, some outstanding and rare examples. Thirdly ,the length of the tour doesn't seem value for money either. A shame really as The Mount is still in my top three favourite places in Cornwall.
A magical place to visit and hopefully you will have a great day. Bring a picnic! Have a Philps pasty instead, fresh from the bakery! Sarah :)
You can buy the NT tickets monthly .Also it pays itself after two visits for the test if the year.
i think a perfect day the gardens are so lovely
Glad you mentioned it's not accessable to mobility impaired. I agree, as a mobility impaired person it's a no go. Even the course way is too uneven for most mobility scooters to cope with.
Very interesting episode as i have wanted to go there but never have, does seem expensive but it is unique, gardens did look worth the trip though.
Mont St Michel in France is much better value. It's significantly bigger and costs €14 per person including an audio guide and kids go free. Food prices in all of these places are extortionate, as they have a captive audience. I always pack a picnic.
That was a good value event a few years ago when we last made a visit. doesn't look so good now. All the best Bob
Times have changed since COVID! Sarah :)
Enjoyed the video, the gardens looked fabulous, well worth the visit just for those. Thought the prices a bit steep but I'm a NT member so I wouldn't have to pay them. I can understand the dog ban so I don't have any problems with that. All in all it looks a good day out
It is a wonderful day out! Sarah :)
Thank you very much for this Video. My Dream of visit Cornwall will be come true next month. Sadly, it is not possible to visit St. Michaels Mount, cause I can't leave my dog alone in the car. Because of that, I enjoy your Video so much. Thanks! Greetings from germany and sorry for my Bad english 😅
You're welcome! Enjoy your holiday! Sarah :)
I think that was a very fair summary. We didn’t go over this year just ate our pastie in the little park next to the Godolphin despite being trust members. The signage for the car park is now,this year, very clear it wasn’t previously and I suppose how do you fairly prevent a very popular attraction being completely overrun with tourists? I think they are doing their best.
A victim of its own success! Sarah :)
Been a NT Member for 35 years, visited St.Michael's Mount many times - How do you cope with all those visitors? Avoid peak times and St.Ives totally nowadays - By the way Mont St Michel in Normandy is far busier - Had no issues with the parking at either.
It is beautiful there Sarah, wow amazing sights….Cornwall is beautiful .. thank you for sharing 😊be well (gluten free it takes a while to get use to it, it’s getting easier with me, good thing!) greetings! 🌷Ana
Hi Ana, You are so welcome! Gluten free? I hope you are enjoying some of the products available! My tip? Just try not to think of gluten free bread as bread, it should be called something else completely, like gluten free savoury sponge! Then you will get along just fine!! Best toasted in my opinion with lots of melted butter! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails i like that “savory sponge!” Indeed…i add lots of strawberry jam on mine…😉be well 🌷
Thanks for a really good video. I would definitely still visit as it’s such a unique place but after watching this would take sandwiches!
I went the year before last when I was a National Trust member and I thought at the time thank God I did not have to pay for that. The house is very interesting and the gardens beautiful, but they ushered you in and around the rooms and it was all over too quick. Most National Trust properties you can take your time and go back and explore areas you have been through already and missed bits of and just mooch about where ever you choose. This was like a conveyor belt and is not worth it if you have to pay the entrance fee. You would think also that there would be a NT car park but that not being the case there is the added expense of that (unless like me you know of certain roads you can sneekily park down for free if you are prepared to walk half a mile) I also think that it should be more obvious for first time visitors that you cannot go onto the island unless you pay otherwise it is a wasted and disappointing journey over from the mainland. Great video and very informative for potential visitors guys. I had to laugh when Sarah asked "...and where else is there another St Michael's Mount"? ..er ... c’est une question délicate!
LOL! Yes! I saw that in the edit and thought I'm going to get flack for that, but you can't always get it right on the day! Sarah :)
I’m here right now it’s amazing pasties are amazing 😋
I got dropped off at the Cemetery and walked into Marazion and across the causeway after lunch. I have National Trust membership and was issued a ticket for the gardens on the Island, it was very quiet and the gardens are spectactular
Very good idea, makes for a less stressful day and a lovely walk too! Sarah :)
Interesting visit, thank you. It certainly gives some help with planning.a day there. Personally, I would find the steps challenging and they ought to offer a lift to the top so you could walk down. In other places EH and the NT are trying to overcome access issues to properties. It makes me wonder if visitors are only there under sufferance.
There was/is a Tunnel access for supplies to be taken from the harbour jetty up into the MOUNT. I Know it exists!!!
As some low intelligence PRAWN released a heavy uncontrolled metal mining truck which ran out onto the jetty. Without regard to the safety of pedestrians and could have seriously injured a child or disabled person .
I went in 95 - long time ago. I had a National Trust card from Australia, so I got in for free. I was staying in Penzance and walked. I walked across and caught the boat back. I packed a sandwich some fruit and water. I had a lovely time.
Interesting that it's been a filming location for House of the Dragon. Definitely not a stiletto heel sort of place! As a gardener, all of the plants are familiar and were clearly chosen for their resistance to salt air. I saw Rock Rose, Santa Barbara Daisy, Dusty Miller, and many varieties of "Ice Plant" and other succulents. A natural rock garden in a spectacular setting! "Moving people through in groups" seems common at places like this; we experienced the like when we visited Mt. Vernon, the former estate and home of George Washington, in Virginia. I'm more willing to pay extra when I know my money is helping maintain a priceless historic monument that will continue to benefit people in the future. So I'm good with museums, gardens, historic buildings, and places like the Grand Canyon; Disneyworld or Las Vegas, not so much. Bringing your own food (if they allow it) is often the best choice, especially if you are limited by diet concerns. Where can you find another St. Michael's Mount? Mont Saint Michel in Normandy? As an American, I never realized these were two different places until recently. Silly me. I've actually seen a video rating it, and the concerns were similar. Thank you for providing such a detailed review!! It is a place I will put on my list when I visit the UK again... I always learn so much from your videos! Love them! :)
its got to be 20 years since we went around with our 2 boys , cant remember the price but it must have been OK for a family of four on a budget, I wouldnt do it now as a family at those prices. Strange we have just come across your channel as we were on a tour end of June this year, and had booked a campsite in Marazion for the main purpose of visiting ST Michaels Mount, it was only when we get to site & chatted to the warden that we discovered we couldnt go as we have 2 dogs now, also it shuts on a Saturday which seemed odd for a tourist attraction (albeit someones home) when we walked out on the Sunday to walk the coastpath, the carparks & causeway were rammed, and this was yet to be peak season - we will visit another time, probably Spring for the flowers once our elderly dogs are no longer with us, and we intend to become NT & English Heritage members, and do all the things weve been unable to being dog owners for the last 17 years