St Michael’s Mount is the historic UK island only reachable at low tide

Cornwall is bursting with stunning sandy beaches, historic castles and lush gardens, so it’s no wonder that it’s a popular holiday spot for both Brits and visitors coming from abroad. But this region of the UK also has a secret of its own. Some 500 metres from mainland Cornwall, there is a small island that can only be reached at certain points in the day.

Looked after by the National Trust alongside the St Aubyn family, St Michael’s Mount is only reachable at low tide and is the English twin of the French monastery Mont-Saint-Michel, which sits on a tidal island off the coast of Normandy.

Cut off by the tide for much of the day, St Michael’s Mount is only accessible on foot via a cobbled causeway during low water – a small and fleeting window that makes the journey feel all the more unique and special. The island is linked to the beach town of Marazion by a giant causeway you can wander across to reach the fairytale-like castle and gardens.

Once you’ve made it across, you’re greeted with swathes of history and nature in the form of the castle’s medieval stonework and floral terraced gardens that have a history of their own. But there’s also a harbourside village worth exploring, before setting your sights on the castle and its grounds. In its heyday, the harbour was a busy port, but today, it’s smaller and more of a transient location for visitors. However, it’s still home to the St Aubyn family and around 30 islanders.

Inside the castle, you’ll be able to step back in time to the 12th century with historic rooms, artwork – such as a series of portraits of Sir John St Aubyn – and artefacts collected over hundreds of years.

Surrounding the castle, there’s an unusual but beautiful subtropical terraced garden with flowers nestled amongst cliff faces, initially designed in 1878 for the St Aubyn family. Due to Cornwall’s milder climate, these gardens are filled with plants you’d normally associate with or find in warmer places.