St Michael's Mount Castle, Medieval castle on tidal island in Cornwall, England
St Michael's Mount is a granite fortress on a tidal island off Cornwall's coast, rising about 230 feet above sea level. A stone causeway connects the island to mainland Marazion but becomes submerged when the tide comes in.
The island served as a Benedictine monastery in the 12th century before transforming into a military stronghold, especially during the English Civil War. The site maintained its strategic importance across several centuries.
The St Aubyn family has lived here since 1650 and still uses the castle as a home while sharing rooms with visitors, creating an unusual blend of private residence and public monument. The lived-in quality gives the place a sense of continuity rather than museum stillness.
Access requires advance online booking, and visitors can reach the island by boat during high tide or walk across the stone causeway at low tide. Checking tide tables before your visit helps plan your timing.
The fortress houses a mummified cat and a fragment of Napoleon's coat from Waterloo among its collections. These unexpected objects show how private curiosities became part of the castle's story.
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