St Michael's Mount, Cornwall

St Michael's Mount is a tidal island off the coast of Marazion, a few miles from Penzance.  It dominates the bay and can be seen from everywhere along that coast line.  

Our arrival at the Mount was by boat as the tide was in covering the causeway.  One of the extras show the causeway footpath that was revealed when the tide had gone out.

The sub-tropical gardens are packed with colourful exotic plants.  

The island's history goes back to the 8th century when it may have been the site of a monastery.  The Mount was sold in 1659 to Colonel John St Aubyn and his descendents that are still there. 

It's a Cornish counter-point to Mont Saint-Michael in Normandy, France.    

In the 1800s the island was home to over 300 people.  Today 30 people live here.