Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly. Imagine. An island archipelago only 20 minutes from Cornwall, with over 100 islands waiting to be explored. There are five inhabited islands; St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, St Agnes and Bryher.
The islands are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), testament to the unique landscape that exists here. This includes some of the highest concentrations of prehistoric remains of anywhere in Britain, rare species of birds and plant life, many unique to Scilly, some of the greatest numbers of historic shipwrecks in the UK and 27 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The islands are characterised by some of the best beaches in Britain, white sandy coves, exposed granite headlands, lagoons, important moorland sites and box-like fields sheltering colourful narcissi flowers, an important industry on the Islands.
Activities for the visitor are interesting and varied and include sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, horse-riding by the sea, learning to paint, sea fishing, photography, coastal walking, cycling, diving with seals, high speed boat trips to uninhabited islands and wildlife watching.
Getting to the islands is also an exciting element of any visit. Regular ferry, fixed-wing plane and the only dedicated helicopter service in Europe, link the Isles of Scilly to the mainland.
Must see and do
- Bishop Rock Lighthouse via boat trip, 7 miles west of St Mary’s
- Tresco Abbey Garden, Tresco
- Isles of Scilly Museum, St Mary’s
- Halangy Down Ancient Bronze Age Village, St Mary’s
- Penninis Lighthouse and rock formations, St Mary’s
- Cromwell’s and King Charles’s Castles, Tresco
- Carreg Dhu Community gardens, St Mary’s
- Watch Hill viewpoint, Bryher
- Napoleonic Day Mark, St Martin’s
- Old Man of Gugh prehistoric site and view of Western Rocks, St Agnes
Related Links
See more destinations in Isles of Scilly
