Marazion - Marghasyow

Marazion (Marghasyow) is west along the A394 from Breage, about two miles east of Penzance and on the shore of Mounts Bay. The town is recorded in the 1088 Domesday Book. It is a popular tourist destination with a number of art galleries. About half a mile offshore is St Michaels Mount accessed by a causeway at low tide and passenger ferry otherwise.

Our visit

The town is well known for its long sandy beaches and views towards the Lizard and Lands' End. It is particularly famous for St Michael's Mount which can be accessed by causeway at low tide of by boat from Marazion. The Cornish name of the town Marghasyow is said to derive from the markets that were a feature of the town with 'marghas yow' meaning 'Thursday market'. In the past the settlement was described as Marghasbighan from the Cornish marghas (market) and bighan (little). It was a cloudy and windy March day when we visited, but the views over to St Michael's Mount were stunning.