Just where is Marazion and St Michael's Mount?

Maraziom is well placed on the south side of West Cornwall. St Michael's Mount sits majestically in the waters offshore.

This unusual resort come village is perfectly placed in Cornwall.

It is easy to visit nearby resorts on the south coast from here, but also Cornwall's northern side.
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There are local coach excursions which take in Marazion or simply hop on a local bus.

My first experience of Marazion

​When I visited Cornwall with three other giggly schoolgirls we were all aged just sixteen; our first holiday without our parents was relatively mild, by today's standards, but it was fun.
Marazion was not far along from our base in the pretty village of Helston and so it was one of the places that we eagerly visited.

Jumping on the local bus we realised that none of us knew quite how to pronounce this word. I drew the short straw and after much consideration asked for four tickets to Mar-A-Zion. The bus conductor (ticket collector) fell about laughing so much, whilst he repeated my pronunciation, that inevitably everyone on the bus howled with laughter.

However this, meant that the correct pronunciation has stayed with me for life. It Is Mar-Azeon.

The other most vivid memory of this lovely Cornish village is our attempt to walk across to St Michael's Mount. At low tide it is possible to literally walk through the sea. However the timing needs to be right. As we set off the tide was already moving in. Many passers by warned us not to attempt the walk, but hey we were 16 and knew we could do it. Not quite halfway across the water was way passed our knees and we had to make a hasty retreat.
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My already short mini-skirt shrunk with the sea water and by the time we headed back to Helston was not much more than a large belt. Still at least we knew the name of where we had visited.

My more recent visit to Marazion

By the time I visited Marazion again, more recently, more than 40 years had elapsed. It was very strange as those years fell back and memories of that teenage holiday returned.

Our visit was brief but gave me a yen to return for an extended Cornish visit. Hubby loved Cornwall and there is so much new for him to explore.

The village of Marazion incorporates a steep hilly climb.

At the top the views across the bay to St Michael's Mount are simply breathtaking. Of course you will need clear weather in order to receive the best view. The island can be seen
in the near distance from Penzance but Marazion is the ideal place to Island watch.

St Michael's Mount
There is an almost twin sister island, Mont St Michel, across the sea on the coast of France. I recently watched a TV show about the famous mount which appears to rise out of the seas off Cornwall and was interested to see the Lord and Lady of the Manor, who currently reside there. What a beautiful place to live. The gardens alone are worth the visit as they are spectacular and, due to the climate, all manner of strange plants survive here that would, no doubt, die on the mainland.

Here is a little advertising information re St Michael's Mount, from the linked website:-

"Stroll across the causeway where a legendary giant once walked. Follow the footsteps of pilgrims. Boat hop to an island where modern life meets layers of history. Discover a medieval castle, a sub-tropical paradise and a close-knit island community. Delve into the history of a fortress, a priory, a harbour and a home.

Stray from the mainland on foot or by boat and get up close to the beguiling beauty of the castle-topped isle standing proud in Mount’s Bay. Come ashore for a family outing, a tour of the castle or a garden visit. Scale the fairytale turrets for dazzling views. Listen to live music on the village green. Tuck into fresh local food in the Island Café or the Sail Loft Restaurant"

Sounds lovely and a "bucket list" must see next time.

Marazion
Marazion has a long sandy beach with beautiful fresh clean air all around. There are quaint shops dotted here and there but it is not commercialised at all. Buy one of the giant ice creams made with creamy Cornish cream and simply sit and take in the views.

Whether you visit Marazion for a day, use it as a base for exploring Cornwall or choose to vacation here you should have a lovely time. It is a perfect destination for families, especially those with young children.

The Cornish climate is kind but remember it is still England so pack accordingly.

Cornwall
Cornwall is a fascinating place to visit. With lush green fields, a warm climate, quaint villages with peculiar names, such as Mousehole (pronounced Mousel), and was the scene of old smuggling activity and its larger than life characters in years gone by.

This county does however have its modern side with water sports, The Eden Project, festivals and more.
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In fact it has something for everyone.

England is divided into counties. These have changed a little over the years, with successive governments. Sometimes it has been a change of name, as when part of the East Riding of Yorkshire became North Humberside, and other times it has been a change of boundary line.

Cornwall has stayed pretty much in tact.

Cornwall is a county that sits at the far south west corner of England. As such, it has one of the best climates in the UK. Cornwall benefits from the Gulf Stream, which means it enjoys milder winters and hotter summers. Of course, it is still part of England, and so the weather will always be unpredictable.

Cornwall has plenty in its favour though apart from just its weather.

Countryside

Due to its lovely climate Cornwall is green and lush. Its inner areas feature gently rolling hills and beautiful scenery. "Picture postcard" is the only way to describe Cornwall. Lizard Point on the south of Cornwall is the southern most tip of England. On a blustery day it is a wild place to visit, but one that is good for the soul.

The coast

The coast has resorts dotted around it. The north side of Cornwall is different to the south. Traditional harbours and coves are interspersed with bustling resorts on each side though.

Penzance, on the south, is not for those who want a beach resort. It may be close to the sea, but it is more a market town. It's a great place to shop, have lunch and visit the gardens. Marazion, close by, has a perfect, long sandy beach. Across the water is St Michael's Mount.

If you time your visit right, you can walk along the old Roman causeway to the Mount. Time it wrong, and you could be washed away. The tide rolls in, and the Mount is only accessible by boat. If you are planning a visit, check the tide times.

In the same region is Falmouth, which is more of a fishing town. Fish and chips would make a great lunch here. Porthleven has a good harbour area, and you can walk to Helston easily. Helston is a pretty village, which has expanded over the years.

To the north side of Cornwall discover St Ives, with its many beaches, a Tate Art Gallery, a local art community and so much more.

Carbis Bay, a short distance from St Ives, offers peace and tranquility plus a stunning beach. There is little there except these simple attractions. However, it is a short walk into St Ives or you can take the train for a five-minute journey. Of course, there are lots of other resorts both large and small.

Land's End

Land's End could be a letdown for visitors depending what they are expecting from a visit.

It is the furthest most tip of England. Like many other tourist attractions, it is over commercialised. There is a sign where you can have a photo taken, for a price. The sign can be personalised to show just how far you are from home. A tourist shop and a few attractions complete the visit. However, just go for the walk along the coast and enjoy the stunning views for the best visit.

History

​As the supposed birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, Cornwall has plenty to fire the imagination. Tintagel Castle still exists; it is the previous occupier's existence that is questionable.

Whether or not King Arthur existed you can still enjoy a visit and learn a little of the legend. Cornwall also has a wealth of museums, gardens and galleries to explore.

Finally

Cornwall has a multitude of attractions on offer. Research those available before you visit. Some may have seasonal opening hours.

The best place to stay could be a B&B (Bed and Breakfast establishment). Small hotels will also be competitively priced. Choose to stay somewhere like the middle of St Ives and it will be pricey. A good option is to share a cottage. The rental is usually for the cottage, for say two weeks and, if there is a small group or family, it will work out good value.

In high season, Cornwall can be very busy, but there are many small villages, caravan sites or camping sites where you could base yourself. That way, when you have had enough of other tourists, you can enjoy some peace and quiet.

​Visit Cornwall