Having just returned from a bank holiday jaunt to these amazing lands, what better way to document adventures than this handy guide to the highlights. Under the jurisdiction of Cornwall, the small collection of islands bear host to some of the UK’s best walking, wildlife and history.
Getting to the islands
There are two rather unattractive and cutthroat choices for getting to Scilly; take a flight (high costs and little baggage allowance) or take the boat (time consuming and make sure you bring your sea legs!). Opting for the latter proved the better option for us and we were soon speeding out of Penzance harbour and heading for the largest island on the Scillys, St Mary’s.
If the weather is adverse, the Scillonian ferry is one for a strong stomach
Island ‘musts’
- The Garrison walk on St Mary’s
Gate into the Garrison
Maintained by the English Heritage, this stunning walk also doubles as a thrilling history tour around this incredible fortification. Built in Elizabethan times, the stronghold proved to be important in the civil war, through the Spanish wars, right through to the Second World War. The walk takes 1-2 hours, depending on how long you take to stop and read – more information can be found here.
Heavy defences protect St Mary’s
- Get the supper boat over to Turk’s Head on St Agnes
The Nag’s head on St Agnes
Inter-island boats are a must on the island as there is no other way to get around. Despite the cost, the supper boat to St Agnes is well worth doing; the food at the Turks Head (the most south westerly pub in Britain) is incredible and the island can be largely covered in an hour or so. Also worth visiting is the Nag’s head, a peculiar looking standing stone to the south of the island, and the walking path to the North of the island around the lighthouse.
St Agnes sundown skyline
- Frolic + snorkel on St Martin’s
St Martin’s is the third largest Scilly Isle and boasts some emphatic coastline, perfect for both walking and swimming. The striking Daymark tower stands to the far east of the island and has long stood as a beacon for sailors. Best enjoyed with a pasty, walking from here across the north side of the island is hard going at times, but well worth it to see copious amounts of wildlife and to reach the lush sands and clear waters of Great Bay. This beach proved amazing for snorkelling as visibility is among the best in the UK – couldn’t recommend more!
- Visiting on a spring tide? Walk between the islands!
Pop up bar between Tresco & Bryher
At certain times of the year, conditions become suitable to walk between islands at low tide. In fact, if conditions are perfect (on a particularly low spring tide in summer) a café on Tresco builds a pop-up bar on the sand dunes – what fun! For more information on when you can walk between islands, particularly between Tresco and Bryher check out this information.
King Charles Castle on Tresco
- Visit Piper’s Hole, Tresco
For the more adventurous, the north of Tresco provides a fun challenge to the brave. Descend by candlelight or torch into this amazing cave that extends 80 meters under the island and be rewarded by a 10 metre long freshwater pool.
Coastline rock stack on St Mary’s
- Take a BBQ to Porth Hellick via the nature walk
The east side of St Mary’s provides some jaw dropping scenery, from large rocky cliff edges, to burial chambers, all the while with small planes landing close overhead at the Isles’ sole airport. The heavily sheltered beach of Porth Hellick proves perfect for a BBQ on a sunny day and the keen explorer and nature boff will also love the bird hides situated on the small lake behind the beach – we even saw a Kingfisher!
A gaggle of Canadian Geese near Porth Hellick
- Visit the Isles of Scilly museum
Rocks on Peninnis Head, St Mary’s
Of course, being in the UK, there will be at least one soggy afternoon on the trip, and what better way to spend it than in this excellent museum on St Davids. Covering everything from ancient history, though shipwrecks, to war, to tourism, to local football team history, this museum is thoroughly worth its entrance fee.
Need to see lots in a day? Hire a bike on St Mary’s
- Camping
Campers are thoroughly rewarded on the isles with some amazing campsites and facilities. We stayed at the Garrison Holidays campsite on St Mary’s but were in awe of the sunset facing pitches on St Agnes at Troytown Farm (one for next time). It’s worth noting that campsites often offer baggage collection from the boat, so taking too much stuff isn’t really a problem!
Sundown at Troytown Farm, St Agnes
We hope you find our guide helpful – please get in touch with us to share your top tips.
