I have taken you to SMM many times before but usually to explore the garden which has to be one of the most unusual in the county if not the country, clinging as it does to the almost vertical cliffs and full of exotic and tender plants. During the winter months the garden is closed and I have to wait until late April to visit it again, but the harbour village itself is open as is the castle on certain days (you still need to book tickets for this online) and it is a nice place for a winter’s day stroll.
The Steward’s House (below) was built around 1815 to act both as a residence and an office for the Mount Steward. At the time, the population of the village was about 300 people and included three pubs, a school and various activities connected to a thriving harbour. It is the grandest building in the harbour area and one of the few that survives from before the great Victorian restorations on the island that started in the 1870s.
It’s well worth visiting to see how life was lived in West Cornwall before the middle of the last century.
Information about the Steward’s House, the Sheila Hichens Collection and the sculpture is from the St Michael’s Mount Website.
This was on a dull winter day when not only did the sun not shine, but it was incredibly windy too. But I am sure that won’t put off Jo who loves all things maritime.
Cornwall in Colours 
You’re right! I’d have been a skip and a jump ahead of you, and probably ‘ouch’ on those cobbles. It does look grey and uninviting but, as you know, it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. Better without the crowds. The causeway always reminds me of St. Mary’s in Whitley Bay. Another place I love. Thanks for sharing, Jude!
There was a bitterly cold wind on this day, thank goodness I had bought a long warm winter coat for such outings!
😶🌫️🌨💙
I love St. Mary’s too, Jo.
🤗👢🧤 🌊💕
I’d not heard of St Mary’s – it looks a bit like Godrevy lighthouse, but with a causeway across. Are the cottages on the island holiday lets? It looks like a great spot for a holiday.
Yes, they are. Bit chilly though 🤣💕
This looks as is if it’s far more inviting to visit in winter, even if chilly. Those pesky crowds are absent!
Very chilly. We didn’t linger long outside, the little gallery was a welcome reprieve from the wind.
Wonderful thanks Jude 😀
Something different about your blog today, Jude. The header photo is blocking off half of my PC monitor, and all the text is spread out strangely. It has only happened on this post, so I don’t think it’s my PC.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Have you tried refreshing the page? It’s OK on mine and created as normal on my laptop using the classic editor.
Just closed the page and went back on it again. It seems okay now, but had not worked with a refresh.
That was strange! 🙂 x
It is odd, but sounds like what I was experiencing on the phone app a while ago. WordPress are always changing things and poor testers.
This is a corner of the world, me and my husband would like to visit, this keeps me inspired. One day we will get around to it.
Glad you are enjoying the posts.
It looks rather appealing in winter. I usually prefer the English coast then and it’s much nicer if you can avoid the criwds. How many people live on the island today, do you know?
I suspect a lot less than 300 and there are no pubs or a school, the kids have to cross to the mainland. In winter they often use a amphibious vehicle.
I really like the textures in that picture of the causeway.
Thanks Andrew.
A lovely walk. I like seeing places in their quiet seasons, you see the real character then.
If I lived nearby I would visit St Michael’s Mount regularly! It certainly doesn’t look like summer (that water looks bitterly cold), but still, you took so many beautiful photos here without the presence of the sun! I especially like the photos of the causeway.
During the summer months it is overrun with tourists including coach trips so we rarely visit the area then.
A beautiful tour, thank you. The long shot reminds me a little of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, which my wife and I saw during a visit to the northeast with family a few years ago.
Ah, yes, we have been there too though it has a much longer causeway that you can drive over unlike this tiny island.
Unfortunately the tide was in the day and time of our visit covering the causeway, but we enjoyed the sights on the mainland.