Things to do in Marazion

Welcome to Marazion, the oldest town in Cornwall. Gateway to the magnificent St. Michael’s Mount, an impossibly romantic castle perched atop an ancient island just 500 metres from the coast, the area is a haven of soft sandy beaches with breathtaking sea views, sparkling blue seas and beautiful scenery. This welcoming town is the perfect base to spend long lazy summer days on the sands and crisp winter days enjoying the spectacular countryside and wonderful wildlife. 

It's not just all about the scenery in Marazion, although this is one of the main reasons that visitors flock to this coastal delight. The town is a hive of activity, with lots to see and do, as well as being a great base to explore the rest of the Cornish coast. Marazion is the perfect holiday destination for every type of holidaymaker from couples who want to spend a tranquil few days away, to families and groups of friends looking for their next adventure.

Have a read of our guide to things to do in Marazion and find out why it's one of our favourite holiday destinations. 

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About

The beaches

Food and drink

The sights

The walking

Accommodation

About the town:

Marazion is one of the oldest chartered towns in the UK, with plenty of charm and a friendly welcome for visitors. Explore the quaint streets, lined with beautiful old cottages and elegant merchants' houses, a reminder of its history as a busy tin trading port. One of the principal towns in the area until Penzance caught up in the late Medieval period, it is now more famous for being one of three boarding points for the ferryboats which sail to and fro across the water from the pretty harbour to St Michael's Mount.

You won't be short of things to do if you want to stay on dry land, however, as there are lots of shops, restaurants and places to browse if you've got a few hours to spare. Stroll along the main street which runs parallel to the sea and spend your holiday pennies at the sweet little craft shops which sell all sorts of lovely items including ceramics and jewellery. If art is your thing, pop into one or two of the art galleries, where both local and established artists are featured and see if you can pick up a piece of local art on your travels.

The beaches:

Families with little ones flock to Marazion's sandy beach as it's a great place for children to not only build sandcastles and splash about in the shallows, but also explore the creature-filled rock pools at low tide. With clear blue waters rushing up to the shore from Mount's Bay, the beach has a serene feeling, especially when watching the sun set over the sea in the early evening.

While the beach is undoubtedly made for warm summer's days, it also packs a punch on breezy winter's days when walking along the golden sands, the backdrop of St Michael's Mount in the distance making a pretty picture. If you prefer to be out on the water, call up one of the schools offering water sports lessons and try your hand at some kitesurfing, windsurfing or sailing.

The food and drink:

There is a myriad of places to eat in the town, from great Cornish pubs to elegant gourmet restaurants where foodies will have lots of opportunities to discover mouthwatering dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. With views across the bay to St Michael's Mount, the Godolphin Arms offers a selection of seasonal dishes, including the catch of the day, as well as exquisite, rich desserts that have to be burned off with a beach walk afterwards!

The intimate and welcoming Ben's Cornish Kitchen is a local secret that you have to experience and if you are looking for vegetarian options, head to the Copper Spoon where both you and the dog will get a warm welcome. If you like your dining alfresco, pick up some fish and chips from the Tudor Chippy and head down to the beach where you can dine with a view, the salty sea air a comforting companion as you get a real taste of the sea. 

The sights:

Without a doubt, a holiday in Marazion must include a trip across the causeway to St Michael's Mount. Possibly Cornwall's most famous landmark, this lovely island has the most beautiful hilltop castle perched atop and gardens all the way down to the harbour. Steeped in history, the ancient castle is accessed by foot at low tide (where a legendary giant once walked) or you can take a ferry at high tide. While you are there, pop to the shops and have a spot of lunch at one of the restaurants before climbing up to the castle - this day out is an experience that you won't want to miss. 

Another day will take you Marazion's local museum. Situated in the old fire brigade's headquarters, it gives a taste into Cornwall's fascinating history. Once the town's gaol, you can visit a recreated typical old cell as well as discovering the unique exhibition devoted to the HMS Warspite, a battleship that proudly served in two world wars. If you have children with you, 10 miles out of town is Flambards Theme Park, where all ages will be kept busy for hours on end across a variety of activities including sky-high thrill rides and indoor soft play. Take the opportunity to discover dinosaurs in the Jurassic Journey and hunt out fossils in the fabulous Dino Dig.

The walking:

The sandy beach is the ideal place for a coastal walk, whether on a warm summer's evening or on cold winter days. The coastline along the South West Coast Path is one of the most beautiful in the county, with breathtaking views out to the castle and along the coast. Walk along the bay in either direction; a popular route is to take the path east towards Perranuthnoe and Prussia Cove, a 3-mile walk, and a little further, along to Praa Sands, another couple of miles on.

The area is renowned for its wildlife and so you may well wish to do a spot of bird watching or dolphin spotting in the bay while you are there. Both Mounts Bay and the RSPB Marazion Marsh are home to hundreds of different species and this makes for an interesting walk whether you are a wildlife buff or just an amateur voyeur.

If you prefer cycling to walking, Lands End Cycle Hire have a wide range of Trek bikes for all ages and abilities and bicycle rental is available all year round. See the beauty of the area by bike. Cycle along the coastal path, which takes you to Marazion, Penzance and Mousehole. A great day out for families or those who don't want to cycle too far.

The accommodation:

We have some wonderful places to stay when you come to Marazion. Beachside properties where you only have to throw a towel over your shoulder and stroll down to the water's edge, cosy cottages in the centre of the town, and country properties a few miles drive inland, where you can wake up to birdsong, and retire for the evening with just the sounds of the country to lull you into a gentle sleep.

Take a romantic break at Riverside, where two dogs and their owners are welcomed for a tranquil break in a contemporary farmhouse apartment surrounded by arable farmland. 

Or if you fancy a touch of the tropical, come and stay at Villa Surfside. With its stone terrace overlooked by tropical trees, the views out to see are simply breathtaking and give you that holiday feeling the second you arrive. Welcoming six guests and two dogs, it has direct access onto the South West Coast Path from the end of the garden. We have a great selection of properties in and around Marazion - have a peek to see which is the best one for you!

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