Looking After the Mount

Enter the St Aubyn family

The St Aubyn family have owned property in Cornwall since the thirteenth century. The first known connection between the family and St Michael’s Mount occurred in 1210, when William St Aubyn as Dean of St Buryan acted as witness to a gift to the Priory.  In 1508, Henry VII pardoned Peter St Aubyn, for his role in Cornish rebellions, and he was appointed Governor of the island.  His garrison fought off a French attack five years later.  A hundred and fifty years on, another rebel against the crown - John St Aubyn, a colonel in the parliamentary army - was appointed Captain of the Mount, when the Civil War ended.  He later purchased the island from a royalist neighbour in distress.

A fortuitous family inheritance in the next century enabled the family to begin a 150 year programme of investment in the island’s castle, village and harbour.  This culminated in building the east wing of the castle, where the family still live today. In 1887, Queen Victoria marked her Jubilee by granting six peerages.  One went to Sir John St Aubyn, the popular MP for Cornwall.  The twelfth family member to have sat in the Commons since 1283, he became Lord St Levan.

In 2003, James and Mary St Aubyn moved to the castle with their four children. They, in their turn, inherited the family title in 2013.

The island community

Another thirty people also live on St Michael’s Mount throughout the year. At least one person in each household has a role to play in looking after the Mount and making sure that life on the island functions as smoothly as possible. Although the Mount is a very busy place at times during the season, it operates as a close-knit community, especially during the winter months.

The National Trust

In 1954, Francis St Aubyn, 3rd Lord St Levan, gave most of the island to the National Trust together with a substantial endowment fund for its upkeep. The National Trust bring their considerable expertise to help maintain the fabric of the island as well as helping look after the castle and its contents which are on view to the public.

The St Aubyn family retain the right to live in the castle, as well as running the visitor business under licence from the National Trust, welcoming you to discover their extraordinary family home.

This unique partnership supports the Mount’s vibrant community, continuing a remarkable legacy of life and activity that stretches back to prehistoric times.

Discover more whilst visiting

As you arrive at the harbour, look out for the Barge House where there is further information about the island’s history as well as how life is lived here today.

As you climb to the castle or go though its rooms, there are QR codes available for you to scan with the camera on your smartphone for more information about the area you are in and its contents.