68c England - Marazion

This is the small village that we spent the night at Wheal Rodney Caravan Park... we didn’t stay in a caravan but a well appointed two bedroom cabin. Using this as a base we stayed two nights in order to explore the Cornwall coast. The little town itself is very pretty  but the big bonus of staying here is that St Michael’s Mount is also here. This is a picturesque castle that sits atop of it’s own island. It’s a copy of its French counterpart Mont St Michel. 

Whilst the tide is low you can cross the causeway to reach the island and then walk the many steps that wind their way up to the castle. Otherwise you catch a small boat over.  On the way over we caught the boat as it was a little early and tide had not completely gone out.. Others waded through the water and from a distance it actually looked like they were walking on water. 

Legend has it that the Mount was built by a giant called Cormoran who would wade ashore to snatch up livestock from local farms and take them back with him.

A reward was offered in return for killing the giant and a young boy called Jack came forward. One night, when Cormoran was sleeping, Jack crept over to the Mount and dug a deep pit halfway up one side. In the morning, Jack blew on his horn to wake the giant from his slumber.

The giant came running down the side of the Mount but could not see Jack as the sun was in his eyes and, not noticing the hole, fell into it. Jack then filled the hole in. Jack became a local hero, and from then on was known as Jack the Giant Killer.

As you walk up to the castle you pass the well and then you come across a heart-shaped stone on the pathway which is the Giant's heart. Rumour has it that if you stand on the heart shaped stone you can still hear the Giant's heart beat.  We tried this but we couldn’t feel it.

The views were magnificent from the top of the castle and the rooms of the castle were still beautifully decorated.  During its long history - the buildings date back to the 12th century - the Mount has been a priory, fortress, a place of pilgrimage and finally became a private home coming into the ownership of the St Aubyn family in 1659.

We walked back along the causeway after we finished  and if you notice the photo’s of the boats you will see one with the tide up and the other with the tide down.