2016 is all planned out on Cornwall's St Michael's Mount which opens its castle doors in March
From ancient cobbles to castle walls, through time and tide St Michael’s Mount is beckoning as it reopens this weekend.
Sitting400 yards off Mount’s Bay in Marazion, St Michael’s Mount is an iconic Cornish landmark and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the South West. Whether striding the causeway, or crossing by boat, turn up and tread medieval pathways and exploring tropical garden, the castle and a close-knit island community, home to the St Aubyn family and30island residents.
2016 will see some exciting developments as the season unfolds! The Sail Loft restaurant, based in the island’s old sail loft on the fringe of the village, has undergone a complete transformation and reopens as a light, airy and must-visit eatery – fully licensed and serving delicious light lunches, home-made breads and cakes as well as fresh fish specials, using the best local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. From handpicked crab landed fresh across the bay, to local cheeses and homemade chutneys the menu and location makes The Sail Loft a very special place to meet friends or enjoy a family get-together.
The mount is also working with the National Trust planning, designing and building a visitor centrein The Barge House in the heart of the village whichwill be the focal point for all of our visitors.The centrepiece is a tactile model of the island which uses data from recent 3Dsurvey of the island and created by local sculptor Tom Leaper. The model will be an accurate representation of St Michael’s Mount which visitors can touch, feel, and explore with their hands and eyes. The Barge House will open mid-May 2016.
Over the coming months, the island will come alive with activity, kicking off with the annual Easter Egg Trail on 25, 27 and 28 March. Enjoy a host of Easter festivities on The Mount, including Cornish story-telling from The Story Republic and our traditional hunt for delicious chocolate treats around the village and harbour. Or Get Crafty - our creation station will be brimming with art and craftactivities to get your creative juices flowing, or have your face painted! The Egg Trail is £2 per child.
A Coastal Garden (from 11 April to 1 July) will focus on the challenges of seaside gardening, with Head Gardener Lottie Allen and her team on hand to introduce the unique terraced gardens, where abundant blooms and exotic plants have thrived since 1780.The National Garden Scheme Open Day falls on Sunday 5 June, with a rare chance to visit the gardens during the weekend. Since it began, the National Gardens Scheme has donated over £42.5 million to nominated beneficiaries, of which nearly £23 million has been donated within the last ten years.
Island Harbour Home (June-August) will bring to life the story of the vibrant community living and working on the island. From the underground tram which carries supplies for the castle from the mainland to the boats carrying and fetching the island children to and from school, Island Harbour Home will highlight the many aspects of St Michael’s Mount that make the iconic tidal island so unique.
St Michael’s Mount castle, shops and restaurants are open daily (except Saturdays) from 13 March until 30 October 2016.You can walk to the island at low tide and there are also boat crossings (subject to weather).
