A tidal island on the coast of Cornwall, St Michael’s Mount is one of the most idyllic places in all of the UK. Linked to the mainland by a causeway of granite setts, the island features a 15th century chapel and a castle that dates back to the 12th century. Pretty cool, right?
The funny thing about St Michael’s Mount is that there’s actually two of them. Or rather, there’s another tidal island with the same name off the coast of northern France: Mont-Saint-Michel, in Normandy. Both feature religious buildings and heavy fortifications, and both have a similar conical shape. St Michael’s in Cornwall was actually modelled after Mont-Saint-Michel in France and was gifted as a priory to the French Benedictines by Edward the Confessor – though this connection was inevitably dissolved when the Hundred Years’ War broke out with France. The strategic coastal position of St Michael’s Mount has made it the focus of several sieges and occupations over the centuries, but since the 1650s it has been the home of the St Aubyn family.
Nowadays, St Michael’s Mount is managed by the National Trust and is a popular tourist spot. It’s also featured in plenty of Blockbuster films and TV shows, from James Bond to Game of Thrones. Have you ever enjoyed a trip out to St Michael’s Mount? Ever walked the grounds of the castle and basked in the history? Then this tea towel is the perfect gift for you!
