From ancient cobbles to castle walls, through time and tide St Michael’s Mount is beckoning.

Visitors can discover what everyday life is like for those that live and work in the castle this autumn and learn about the challenges of conserving a castle atop a tidal island.

From September 4 to October 30, you can see conservation in action by visiting the Blue Drawing Room, currently undergoing extensive restoration, and learn about different techniques that are used in the castle to conserve and preserve the artefacts in the collection, and the castle itself.

There will also be a series of conservation talks every Tuesday afternoon during September and October at 3pm in the Sail Loft Restaurant: from Rachel Hunt, house and collections conservator at Cotehele, on September 13 and October 11, National Trust conservator Neil Wressell on September 20 and Tuesday October 25, archaeologist Jim Parry on September 27 and October 4, and textile and ethnographic artefacts conservator Morwena Stephens on September 6 and October 18.

From October 2 to 14 the castle will come alive with an interpretive plant and flower display in the showrooms and church, taking inspiration from the design, form and colour of the mount's garden.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a seasonal floral display in the church and then discover another of the gardeners’ talents through pictures, ropes and knots, reflecting on the team’s unusual task of abseiling from the foundations of the castle to preserve the fine balance of vegetation on the southern cliffs.

Lottie Allen, head gardener, said: “A Garden in a Castle is a visual treat not to be missed. Come and immerse your senses in the history of the castle and wonder at how we garden on a rock.”

The mount will also host a photo competition, #livingcastle, where visitors will be encouraged to share their views from the castle and to imagine themselves living in the castle, by sharing their snaps via social media.

Judges led by the castle steward, will be looking for the unusual, a new perspective, a rare view, and a keen eye for detail, and three winners will receive a hamper of St Michael’s Mount products from the courtyard shop.

Half term, from October 24 to 28, will see storytelling, when young visitors can listen to tales of an attempted castle invasion, French frigates and cannon fire, and there will also be a treasure hunt around the castle.

St Michael’s Mount castle, shops and restaurants are open daily, except Saturdays, until October 30, although the gardens are not open on a Sunday.

Adult tickets cost £9 for the castle, £6 for the gardens, or £12.50 for both, and for children it is £4.50 for the castle, £3 for the gardens and £6 for both.

There are also family, single adult family, adult, and child group tickets available, while entry is free to national trust members.