St. Michael's Mount

[piper61]

We will be docking in Falmouth and are interested in going to St. Michael's Mount? Does anyone know how best to get there? The ship does not have an excursion there.

[Ray66]

To get to St Michael's Mount, you walk along the causeway or if the tide's in, take the small boat over from the town of Marazion. You should be able to get a bus from Falmouth to Penzance or Marazion.

 

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/devon/timetables/index.php?operator=6&page=1&redirect=no

 

No doubt a local will come along soon to give better instructions.

[John Bull]

We will be docking in Falmouth and are interested in going to St. Michael's Mount? Does anyone know how best to get there? The ship does not have an excursion there.

 

Depending on the tide, you can walk the causeway or take a short ferry trip from mainland at Marazion.

http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/#2

 

By car it's under 30 miles to the causeway/pier at Marazion, but the roads are slow - 45 to 50 minutes.

Arrange a private hire taxi in advance for the trip (unless anyone has any suggestions, just google "Falmouth UK taxi"), hailing a taxi in the street in Falmouth would be a horrendous cost.

 

 

By train, it's a little convoluted - train in the wrong direction to Truro, then change for the train to Penzance. Journey time about 80 or 90 mins, then taxi about 4 miles from Penzance to the causeway/pier.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

There's a limited direct bus service bus. No. 2 bus on this map http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/devon/map/Cornwall_Map.pdf

Journey time 90 mins to your stop at Marazion Square. eg 8.25am arrives 9.55, or 9.20am for 10.50, or 11.15 for 12.45.

The only suitable bus back is 12.56 arrives Falmouth 14.27, or 14.56 for Falmouth 16.27

Full timetable http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/devon/timetables/timetable.php?day=1&source_id=2&service=2/2A/2B&routeid=1785841&operator=6&source=sp

[Post Captain]

Piper61~

 

I lived in Marazion for a year (with a view of St. Michael's Mount from my bedroom window), and made the trip between Marazion and Falmouth by train many times--and by bus just once.

 

Public transportation is fine if you have enough time--which you might not have, depending upon the time you come ashore in Falmouth (a tender port) and the time you are required to be back on board.

 

The #2 bus meanders through Cornish villages and hamlets, along country lanes, with frequent stops--a scenic route, to be sure, but (at an hour and half) not one that allows the driver to set any speed records.

 

The train always seemed somewhat faster to me, but in fact is less direct--you take the branch line from Falmouth to Truro, and change there for Penzance; from Penzance, you have to take a bus (15 minutes or so) or taxi to Marazion.

 

A car service will be fastest but also the most expensive option. Given your time constraints, however, it might well be the only reasonable option.

 

Incidentally, at low tide the walk from Marazion to the Mount takes longer than you might think it does. The causeway is made of stone cobbles that can be slippery when wet. Also, because of the tides, it's quite likely that you will have to walk one way and take the small ferry boat the other.

 

Likewise, it's a bit of a hike from the bottom of the Mount up to the house itself. But I highly recommend the place to all visitors to Marazion--it's well worth the time & trouble it will take to get there from Falmouth. Apart from the attractions of the house itself, on a clear day the views are glorious. Be sure to stop for tea at the old sail loft near the bottom of the hill.

 

http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/

 

Enjoy your visit, & give my regards to my old neighbours, the St Aubyns.

 

Post Captain

[piper61]

Thank you everyone for your help. I will certainly investigate your suggestions.

[HOMEAWAY34]

All of the sites & books i've read say that

st. Michael's mount is closed on saturday

i don't know if it would pay to just vist the

outside try this site for falmouth

falmouth.co.uk click on falmouth ambassadors

[jerbeth]

I lived in Marazion for a year (with a view of St. Michael's Mount from my bedroom window), and made the trip between Marazion and Falmouth by train many times--and by bus just once.

Public transportation is fine if you have enough time--which you might not have, depending upon the time you come ashore in Falmouth (a tender port) and the time you are required to be back on board.

The #2 bus meanders through Cornish villages and hamlets, along country lanes, with frequent stops--a scenic route, to be sure, but (at an hour and half) not one that allows the driver to set any speed records.

The train always seemed somewhat faster to me, but in fact is less direct--you take the branch line from Falmouth to Truro, and change there for Penzance; from Penzance, you have to take a bus (15 minutes or so) or taxi to Marazion.

A car service will be fastest but also the most expensive option. Given your time constraints, however, it might well be the only reasonable option.

Incidentally, at low tide the walk from Marazion to the Mount takes longer than you might think it does. The causeway is made of stone cobbles that can be slippery when wet. Also, because of the tides, it's quite likely that you will have to walk one way and take the small ferry boat the other.

Likewise, it's a bit of a hike from the bottom of the Mount up to the house itself. But I highly recommend the place to all visitors to Marazion--it's well worth the time & trouble it will take to get there from Falmouth. Apart from the attractions of the house itself, on a clear day the views are glorious. Be sure to stop for tea at the old sail loft near the bottom of the hill.

http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/

Enjoy your visit, & give my regards to my old neighbours, the St Aubyns.

 

Post Captain

 

Post Captain, My husband and I have just booked for next spring on the Emerald with a day in Falmouth. We are walkers (have walked the Cotswold Way) and would love to get somewhere we could walk a bit. Is it possible to do? If you wouldn't mind, an e-mail to jerbeth2@gmail.com would give us direct contact. Will hope to hear from you. Beth (jerbeth):)

[Post Captain]

Post Captain, My husband and I have just booked for next spring on the Emerald with a day in Falmouth. We are walkers (have walked the Cotswold Way) and would love to get somewhere we could walk a bit. Is it possible to do? Beth (jerbeth):)

 

Beth ~

 

A couple of lovely walks occur to me, just off the top of my head (or rather, dug out from my memory):

 

1. St. Mawes to St. Just in Roseland (& back)--one way via a coastal footpath, & back via a road/lane, or vice versa.

 

Take the ferry from Falmouth to St. Mawes:

http://www.kingharryscornwall.co.uk/frl/ferries/st_mawes_ferry

 

Then follow the directions given here under St Mawes & St Just:

 

http://www.kingharryscornwall.co.uk/frl/ferries/st_mawes_ferry/walks

There are several pubs in St. Mawes. (In any case, I much prefer St. Mawes to Falmouth itself.)

 

 

2. Lostwithiel to Lanhydrock (& back), via a country lane & a footpath through the woods of the Lanhydrock estate. The route is detailed here under Lanhydrock Valley Walk:

 

http://www.lostwithiel.org.uk/local-area/walks-and-paths/

I've done this walk dozens of times, & never tired of it. Lostwithiel is a charming town, and Lanhydrock (house and grounds) is magical:

 

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lanhydrock

 

Note: This itinerary would require you to take a train from Falmouth to Truro & then from Truro to Lostwithiel, returning to Falmouth via the same route. You would have to work out your train times carefully. Use the National Rail website to see if this journey would be feasible for you:

 

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

(Does your ship call at Falmouth on a weekday or weekend? Alas, it would be near impossible to doing the Lostwithiel walk on a Sunday, when train service is much reduced... Also, remember, Falmouth is a tender port; the ship anchors outside the harbor, and tendering can take some time, especially if there is a swell.)

 

You might want to play around with Google Maps & take a look at these places via the street-view feature. Great fun when planning a journey, or just for armchair exploring.

 

Cheers,

 

Post Captain

[NancyIL]

A couple of lovely walks occur to me, just off the top of my head (or rather, dug out from my memory)....

 

2. Lostwithiel to Lanhydrock (& back), via a country lane & a footpath through the woods of the Lanhydrock estate. The route is detailed here under Lanhydrock Valley Walk:

 

http://www.lostwithiel.org.uk/local-area/walks-and-paths/

 

I've done this walk dozens of times, & never tired of it. Lostwithiel is a charming town, and Lanhydrock (house and grounds) is magical:

 

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lanhydrock

 

 

I am very happy to read this, because I booked the ship's tour to Fowey and Lanhydrock!

[Post Captain]

I am very happy to read this, because I booked the ship's tour to Fowey and Lanhydrock!

 

NancyIL~

 

If asked to rank my favorite places in the United Kingdom, having visited just about every corner of the kingdom over a period of some 45 years, Fowey would be in my top five. The town itself is very quaint (albeit more popular/ commercialized now than it was when I first visited) and well laid out, but what makes it special is its setting on the River Fowey, with wonderful views to the hills across the river and easy access to some of my favorite walks in England.

 

My preferences are highly subjective and personal, of course, but I highly recommend a visit to Fowey and Lanhydrock. (Much better than staying in Falmouth, IMHO, even if it means spending a few hours on a coach.) It's only a pity that you'll be there for so short a time.

 

Cheers,

 

Post Captain

[NancyIL]

NancyIL~

 

If asked to rank my favorite places in the United Kingdom, having visited just about every corner of the kingdom over a period of some 45 years, Fowey would be in my top five. The town itself is very quaint (albeit more popular/ commercialized now than it was when I first visited) and well laid out, but what makes it special is its setting on the River Fowey, with wonderful views to the hills across the river and easy access to some of my favorite walks in England.

 

My preferences are highly subjective and personal, of course, but I highly recommend a visit to Fowey and Lanhydrock. (Much better than staying in Falmouth, IMHO, even if it means spending a few hours on a coach.) It's only a pity that you'll be there for so short a time.

 

Cheers,

 

Post Captain

 

Thank you, Post Captain! It's a shame that port calls are often so short - but it's better to spend a brief time in these wonderful places than no time at all. I'll do the same on the port call in Dover, with a tour to Leeds Castle and Canterbury.

[Ray66]

Lanhydrock and Fowey are two of my favourite places (I stayed near Fowey for a week last year) and also Falmouth as there is so much to see and do there. As well as the dock area there is a lovely harbour area where you can take a boat up the River Fal, a castle, beaches, the National Maritime Museum, good shops (artists and souvenirs and an M&S).

 

http://www.discoverfalmouth.co.uk/site/attractions-and-activities/beaches

 

 

Falmouth

[NancyIL]

Lanhydrock and Fowey are two of my favourite places (I stayed near Fowey for a week last year) and also Falmouth as there is so much to see and do there. As well as the dock area there is a lovely harbour area where you can take a boat up the River Fal, a castle, beaches, the National Maritime Museum, good shops (artists and souvenirs and an M&S).

 

http://www.discoverfalmouth.co.uk/site/attractions-and-activities/beaches

 

 

Falmouth

 

Thank you for the info, Ray!

[Cornishpastyman1]

It's not the greatest but it gives an idea of what SMM looks like

 

All the best, Tony