School's Out! Enjoy Summer Fun on The Mount!

Pebble Art, Rockpool Explorer, Sea Shanty Sundays, Boats Ahoy & Storytelling with Something For All The Family!

From ancient cobbles to castle walls, through time and tide St Michael's Mount is beckoning.

Situated just 400 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.

During the school holidays from 3 July to 26 August, St Michael's Mount is the place to be!  With fabulous activities from Pebble Art to Exploring Rockpools and Kite Making Workshops, there is something for everyone, whatever their age! 

And why not visit our brand new visitor centre, situated in The Barge House which opened on 14 June.  It tells the story of the island – its history from Bronze Age to now, island life in the 21st century, and details the unique relationship of St Aubyn Estates and the National Trust. The focal point of the visitor centre is a bronze cast tactile model of St Michael's Mount created by local sculptural artist Tom Leaper. The model shows public routes, points of interest, topographical and geological reference points, and sits on a plinth at a height comfortable for those standing and also enables wheelchair users to get close enough to touch and experience the model. 

Rockpool Explorer! - Sunday 7 August 2–4pm & Thursday 18 August 10am-12pm, Causeway, St Michael's Mount Harbour            

Take a walk on the wild side and join Claire Scott from Great Scott! Adventures Outdoors for a rummage in the rockpools. Discover and meet the weird and wonderful creatures that live just off the causeway. Learn amazing things about their lives and find out who is dinner and who is diner!

Rockpool Explorer is suitable for all ages and children must be accompanied.  There's no need to book, just drop in at the start time.  Meet at the Great Scott! flag on The Causeway by the Harbour Wall on the island.  Please wear rock pooling shoes or old trainers as the rocks are very slippery in crocs or flip flops. 

We don't use nets but feel free to bring your buckets and sense of adventure!

Pebble Art - Wednesday & Sunday throughout July and August 12 midday–3pm, Picnic lawn

Pick up a board and a handful of pebbles and create pictures with a nautical theme. Don't forget your camera to take a snap of your recreation – pebble art cannot be taken away.

Kite building workshop - Wednesday 3 & Sunday 21 August, 12 midday– 3pm, Picnic lawn

Local kite surfing instructor Angus Tobey is going to put down the big kites for a couple of days and manage two kite building workshops. Enjoy making a kite from recycled materials and have fun making it fly!

Storytelling, everyday (except Saturday), on the Dairy Lawn

St Michael's Mount will be celebrating its legendary Cornish giant, Cormoran with a team of narrators bringing to life the story of the giant and his fearless foe, Jack the Giant Killer.  Cornish folklore tells of a mythical giant who once lived on the Mount, a fearless creature who would wade ashore and steal cows and sheep from the villagers to feed his gargantuan appetite. 

There will also be nautical tales of a mythical Mount boatman who has been on the island since the dawn of time and tells of everything that he has seen and heard over thousands of years; from the “Grey Rock in the Woods” to the vision of St Michael; from the first sighting of the Spanish Armada to the footprint left by Queen Victoria on the harbour cobbles.

The Castle

When you've done exploring in the Harbour, head on up to the Castle where there's even more for kids to do - hunt for a giant's stone heart, the armour of a samurai warrior, a mummified cat and  discover a real life castle waiting to be explored. Watch young minds race as the island guides tell tales of history, legend and a living, breathing island. Take the castle quiz as a family and let the kids' curiosity engage them, as they learn what makes this castle so special.

St Michael's Mount is family friendly; as well as the trails, there are baby-changing facilities on the island and the restaurant, The Sail Loft, and the café have a number of high chairs and serve good value, healthy snacks, drinks and meals for children. There is a pushchair park near the Ticket Office and there are also hipster seats which can be used free of charge for the climb to the castle.

Other Headline activities include Penlee Lifeboat Day on 31 July, a Boats Ahoy exhibition of The Mount's vessels in the Harbour and two Sea Shanty Sundays on 10 and 24 July, when local groups will entertain visitors in the harbour.

During this period there will be the opportunity for visitors to glimpse into the real lives of the people that live on the island -  from being born on St Michael's Mount to growing up and working there - and leave with a renewed sense of appreciation and understanding of what island life entails.

THE BARGE HOUSE

Our brand new visitor centre situated in The Barge House opens on 14 June and tells the story of the island – its history from Bronze Age to now, island life in the 21st century, and details the unique relationship of St Aubyn Estates and the National Trust. The focal point of the visitor centre is a bronze cast tactile model of St Michael's Mount created by local sculptural artist Tom Leaper. The model shows public routes, points of interest, topographical and geological reference points, and sits on a plinth at a height comfortable for those standing and also enables wheelchair users to get close enough to touch and experience the model. 

Please check www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk for details.

Media enquiries:  For more information on St Michael's Mount please contact: Katherine@brightmediauk.com or call 07958 649502

Tickets/Opening Times: St Michael's Mount castle, shops and restaurants are open daily (except Saturdays) from 13 March until 30 October 2016.  Please note, the Gardens are not open on a Sunday.

Family: 2 adults and up to 3 children. Single adult family: 1 adult and up to 3 children.