Marazion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marazion
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 Marazion seen from St Michael's Mount |
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| Population | 1,440 |
| OS grid reference | SW523306 |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MARAZION |
| Postcode district | TR17 |
| Dialling code | 01736 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Marazion is a small town and civil parish located on the coast of Mount's Bay in Cornwall, England. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Penzance. A famous landmark nearby is the tidal island of St Michael's Mount, which is only half a mile offshore.
When the tide is low, a special path called a causeway connects Marazion to St Michael's Mount. When the tide is high, you can take passenger boats between the town and the island. Marazion is a popular place for tourists. Many artists live here and sell their paintings and pottery in local art galleries.
Marazion is part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This means it's a special area with beautiful landscapes. Almost one-third of Cornwall has this important protection. On the western side of Marazion, you'll find Marazion Marsh. This is a nature reserve managed by the RSPB. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its important wildlife.
Contents
Marazion's Past: A Look at Its History
Evidence found near Marazion suggests that people were making tin here a very long time ago. They discovered parts of an old bronze furnace. Marazion was not mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1088, which was a big survey of England. The town received its only special permission, called a charter, from Queen Elizabeth I.
Early History and Markets
A very old charter, linked to Robert, Count of Mortain, gave land and freedoms to St Michael's Mount. This included permission for a market to be held on Thursdays. This market likely started on the mainland, in Marazion.
The town's name comes from these markets. Marghasbighan meant "small marketplace" and Marghasyewe meant "Thursday Market" in Cornish. This is why some people called it Marketjew.
In 1257, Marazion received its first official charter. Later, in 1595, Queen Elizabeth I gave Marazion a new charter. This charter confirmed the right to hold a fair and created a new market on Saturdays.
The town was run by a group of people called a corporation. This group included a mayor, eight aldermen, and twelve burgesses. They managed the town until 1883. Today, only the Michaelmas fair still takes place.
Modern Times in Marazion
Marazion was once a busy town. Many people visited because they were pilgrims going to St Michael's Mount. This stopped around the time of the Reformation. In the 1500s, the town was attacked twice. First, by the French, and then by Cornish rebels.
Later, the nearby town of Penzance grew much bigger. This made Marazion less important.
Cornish was spoken as a community language in this part of Cornwall for a long time. Dolly Pentreath, who is thought to be the last person to speak Cornish fluently, lived nearby. A man named John Nancarrow from Marazion also spoke Cornish and lived until the 1790s.
The West Cornwall Railway opened Marazion railway station in 1852. This station was important for sending fish, fruit, and vegetables from the area. The station closed for passengers in 1964 and for freight in 1965. There are hopes to reopen it one day.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution had a lifeboat station in Marazion from 1990 to 2001. The lifeboat was kept on St Michael's Mount. It closed because there were not enough volunteers. The boat moved to Penlee Lifeboat Station in Newlyn.
After the Second World War, several naval ships were taken apart on the beaches of Marazion. The famous battleship HMS Warspite was broken up here in 1947.
In 2021, Marazion tried to become a city as part of Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee celebrations. If it had succeeded, it would have been the smallest city in the UK.
Marazion's Buildings and Churches
Marazion is known for its attractive old buildings and cobbled streets. The area near the ferry port looks a bit like Lyme Regis. Some notable buildings include Chymorvah House and the Mount Haven Hotel. The Marazion Town Hall and the Marazion War Memorial are also important.
The Old Manor House on Fore Street is a historic building. It was built around 1775 for William Cornish, a former mayor. The famous architect James Piers St Aubyn lived here for some years in the 1800s. The house has original slate floors, old fireplaces, and views of St Michael's Mount.
Another grand old house, called the Rookery, was built starting in 1775. It was for a merchant named John Blewett.
Churches in Marazion
The main church for the area is at St Hilary. In Marazion, there was an old chapel dedicated to St Hermes. It was rebuilt in 1735. In 1861, a new church called All Saints was built on the same spot. It became a parish church in 1893.
The Ebenezer (Free Methodist Church) chapel, built in 1862, is now private homes. The Wesleyan Methodist Church on Fore Street was built between 1893 and 1895. The Friends Meeting House on Beacon Road dates back to about 1688 and is still used today.
Media and Local News
You can watch local TV news from BBC South West and ITV West Country. These signals come from the Redruth TV transmitter.
Local radio stations include BBC Radio Cornwall (103.9 FM), Heart West (107.0 FM), Pirate FM (102.8 FM), and Coast FM (96.5 and 97.2 FM).
The local newspaper for the town is The Cornishman.
Sports in Marazion
The Marazion Blues were a local association football (soccer) team. They started in 1906 but stopped playing in 2017 because they didn't have enough players. They won the Cornwall Combination League twice in 1978 and 1980. The team restarted in July 2018 and now plays in the Trelawny League.
Cornish Wrestling
Cornish wrestling tournaments have been held in Marazion for many years. These events took place at places like the Rookery Gardens and Marazion Green.
Images for kids
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A robot illustration.
