Marazion

Marazion is thought to be one of the oldest chartered towns in Britain, and its main claim to fame sits just offshore: St Michael’s Mount, the dramatic castle-topped island connected to the mainland by a granite causeway that’s revealed at low tide. Walking across the causeway with the mount growing larger ahead of you is one of Cornwall’s defining experiences. At high tide, small boats ferry visitors across instead. The castle and subtropical gardens are managed by the National Trust, and the views from the top are extraordinary.

The town itself is a single main street running along the seafront, with a good selection of cafes, galleries and independent shops. The beach stretches for about half a mile, with St Michael’s Mount as a constant backdrop — it’s one of the most photographed views in Cornwall for good reason. The marshes behind the town are an important birdwatching site, particularly for wading birds and raptors during migration seasons.

Marazion is just a couple of miles east of Penzance, so you’re well placed for exploring the far west of Cornwall. The the Lizard, Land’s End, and the artists’ town of St Ives are all within easy reach. But many visitors find that the view from Marazion beach at sunset, with the mount silhouetted against the sky, is reason enough to stay put.