Marazion

Marazion is one of the oldest chartered towns in Britain, located in west Cornwall 2 miles east of Penzance. St Michael’s Mount - the National Trust castle-topped island - sits just offshore, connected to the town by a granite causeway accessible at low tide. The main street runs along the seafront, with the beach stretching about half a mile with the mount as a constant backdrop.

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. The Mount’s harbour boat service runs regularly when the causeway is submerged, with a return fare of around 2 pounds 50 per adult. Marazion also sits at the western end of the Marazion Marsh RSPB reserve, which recorded breeding bitterns for the first time in 2023 - the only site in Cornwall where they nest.