I recently visited St. Mount Castle in Cornwall, and I must say it was a truly remarkable experience. The castle itself is perched on a small island, and the journey to reach it is an adventure in itself. The views of the coastline as you approach the island are breathtaking, and it sets the stage for the beauty you'll encounter inside.
Once you arrive at the castle, you're greeted by knowledgeable and friendly staff who are eager to share the history and stories of this magnificent structure. The castle dates back to the 12th century and has been remarkably preserved. Exploring its halls, chambers, and gardens felt like stepping back in time. The architecture and details are stunning, and it's evident that a lot of care has gone into maintaining the castle's authenticity.
One of the highlights of my visit was the panoramic view from the castle's battlements. The sweeping vistas of the surrounding coastline and the ocean are simply breathtaking. It's a perfect spot to take memorable photographs or simply soak in the natural beauty of the area.
I also highly recommend taking a walk around the island itself. The pathways are well-maintained, and you'll discover charming nooks and crannies along the way. The gardens are meticulously manicured and add a touch of tranquility to the entire experience.
Now, regarding ticket recommendations, I strongly advise purchasing advance tickets for St. Mount Castle. Due to its popularity and limited capacity, there can be significant queues, especially during peak tourist seasons. By booking in advance, you can ensure that you have a guaranteed entry time and avoid any potential disappointment.
As for the boat cost, you mentioned that it is £2.80 for a single-way trip. That seems like a reasonable price considering the unique nature of the journey. It's worth noting that boat fares can change, so it's a good idea to double-check the current prices before your visit.
In summary, St. Mount Castle is a must-visit destination in Cornwall. Its historical significance, stunning architecture, and breathtaking views make it a truly unforgettable experience. Be sure to plan ahead, purchase advance tickets, and enjoy the scenic boat ride to enhance your visit to this...
Read moreA visit here is mandatory if you're in Cornwall!
We walked across the causeway as the tide was out, easy enough walk but can be a bit slippery so take care!
As National Trust members we entered for free saving £48 on the dual tickets for the gardens and castle. Parking was £5 for 5hrs so not too bad either.
Once across we were greeted by very helpful staff who checked us in and then explained where to go for the gardens and castle. We opted for the garden route first, which, although quite treacherous in places with steep small steps and rugged terrain, is spectacular! The colours, the vast array of succulents, and the work that's put into this garden is nothing short of outstanding 👍 just make sure you wear decent footware, we actually saw someone fall over walking round, but they were wearing flip flops, and that really isn't suitable for the gardens, or the castle!
On to the castle itself, this is a real good steep climb up quite an uneven stone pathway but there are handrails most of the way up and down. Again, suitable footwear helps a lot.
Once up to the castle the views are spectacular and do not disappoint at all!
The walk through the insides of the castle is both interesting and thought prevoking as to what life would have been like living there all those years ago. Well worth the walk round, and definitely worth it for the views.
A little mention to the cafe as well, served a lovely hot coffee ☕ something you'll definitely need after going round both the gardens and castle.
All in all we were there for around 4hrs, so great value as a National Trust member.
We also had to catch the boat back due to the tide being in which was £2.50 each...a little steep really as you're literally on the boat for under 5 minutes, but obviously don't have any way back otherwise apart from waiting for the tide!
Would love to visit again at a different time of year to see the garden, but I think the castle is just a once seen...
Read moreTook my wife and twin 6 year olds here for an adventure during our break in Cornwall. We deliberately booked tickets to coincide with the boat crossings/tides so that the kids could experience ‘being at sea’. For the sake of a few extra quid this was worth it. Finding the boat pick up point was hit and miss. We parked at the long stay overflow and then kind of went with the flow of people until we saw where people were waiting. It was a good 15 min walk from the car park and the queue was long but fast moving. The boats are well organised and ferry 5-10 people across to the island, the journey takes 5 mins. Getting on off the boats is a bit nerve wracking with little ones. We have previously visited by walking the causeway which is also a cool experience. Once on the island we walked up to the castle which is quite a climb on uneven rocky steps. Stout footwear is advised and if you have any injury or mobility issue’s is worth considering before you attempt as I don’t think there is enough warning on the website etc. The castle is interesting and gives loads of photo opportunities and we were advised to ‘do’ the castle first, then the gardens. Castle visited we then went back down to the small settlement for coffee and ice cream. If I had to moan about any aspect of our visit it was that the ice cream/coffee stall was woeful. The staff were possibly the most uninterested and sloth like kids I’ve ever had the opportunity to encounter. It took 40 minutes to queue and get 2 ice creams and 2 coffees which frankly is just unacceptable. This needs attention by management. The castle gardens were great and again involved a great deal of waking and climbing around steep rocky steps. Some amazing coastal views and more photos. Then it was back on the boat and home. Overall a great day out and something different. If management read this review tho please address the ice-cream...
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