Confirmed · Cornwall · Castle
St Michael's Mount
High Tide, the Velaryon seat on Driftmark in Game of Thrones. Tickets needed; allow 2–3 hours.
- On screen as
- High Tide, the Velaryon seat on Driftmark
- Series and episodes
- House of the Dragon Season 1
- Access
- Tickets needed
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Where
- Marazion, Cornwall
On screen
How St Michael's Mount appears
House of the Dragon's first season introduces High Tide, the seat of Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, and his wife Rhaenys on the island of Driftmark. St Michael's Mount, a castle on a rocky island reached by a causeway at low tide, gave the production its outline, with the production enlarging and transforming the castle digitally into a pale, sea-washed palace. In the story Driftmark sits in Blackwater Bay near Dragonstone and King's Landing; the real island is in Mount's Bay on the south coast of Cornwall, opposite the town of Marazion. Expect a real working island with a harbour village and a family home on top, not the fantasy towers.
The real place
What you can visit
St Michael's Mount is a tidal island with a medieval castle and church on its summit, a small harbour village and terraced gardens. The St Aubyn family still live in the castle, which is run with the National Trust. The harbour and village are free to visit; the castle and garden need tickets, which are cheaper booked in advance. Opening days vary through the year, the castle is usually closed on Saturdays, and the garden has a shorter season. Check current prices and the opening calendar on the official website before travelling.
The causeway floods quickly as the tide turns. Follow the staff's crossing times and never try to wade across once it is covered.
VisitBritain: House of the Dragon filming locations ↗At low tide you walk across the cobbled causeway from Marazion; at high tide small ferry boats run from Marazion when operating, for a small fare. Check the tide times and crossing information on the official website for your day. The climb to the castle is steep and cobbled and not wheelchair accessible; a bookable all-terrain Tramper serves the village area, and accessible parking is in Marazion.
Gallery
More views of St Michael's Mount
Common questions
Planning a responsible visit
Was St Michael's Mount in House of the Dragon?
Yes. VisitBritain names it as High Tide, the Velaryon seat on Driftmark, in the first season. The castle was digitally transformed for the screen.
Can you visit St Michael's Mount at any tide?
The causeway is passable only around low tide. At other times small boats run from Marazion when operating. Check the official tide and crossing information for your date.
Do you need tickets for St Michael's Mount?
The harbour and village are free. The castle and garden need tickets, with a lower price when booked online in advance. Check current prices and opening days on the official site.
Is St Michael's Mount accessible?
Partly. The village and harbour are reachable, with a bookable all-terrain Tramper, but the cobbled path to the castle is steep and the summit is not wheelchair accessible.
Plan your visit
Build it into the day.
Penzance and Newlyn a short drive west, then Kynance Cove on the Lizard.
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