St Michael's Mount

The great granite crag of St Michael's Mount is dedicated to the archangel St Michael who, according to legend, appeared here in 495.

Edward the Confessor founded a chapel on the Mount in 1044 in a grant to the Benedictine Abbey of Mont Saint Micheal in Brittany.

In 12th century when Richard I was on Crusade a group of John's supporters seized the Mount to hold as a fortress. It reverted to monastic use but was treated again as a stronghold in the Wars of the Roses and the Cornish Rebellion against Edward VI.

During the Civil War the Mount was held for the King but surrendered to the Parliamentarians in 1646. In 1660 the Mount was bought by Sir John St Aubyn and since that time it has had a peaceful existence.

The Mount remained mostly unoccupied, except for occasional use during the summer months, until the late 18th century when the family began to set up a more permanent residence.

Despite the difficulties of building on a great rock cut off at every high tide the family constructed a great new wing. The impressive Victorian apartments are decorated with fine plaster reliefs and contain some Chippendale furniture. There are also collections of paintings and armour.

The Mount remained in the ownership of the St Aubyn family until 1964 when it was given to the National Trust by the 3rd Lord St Levan.

St Michael's Mount is an island at high tide and a romantic sight.

From its terraces splendid views can be seen towards Land's End and the Lizard The slopes have sub-tropical vegetation planted by the St Aubyn family. At the water's edge there is a small harbourside community with shops and restaurants.