St Mary’ s
Isles of Scilly
Outstandingly beautiful | Uncrowded & unspoilt | Gentle pace of life Great for island hopping | Fun on and in the water | Food, glorious food
There are few better places to escape than the enchanting Isles of Scilly which float just off the Cornish coast. Yes, this archipelago may be a hop, skip and a jump from the UK mainland, but it is a world apart in every way. Everything looks and feels quite different, simpler, kinder, more innocent. Life moves at an easier pace, so hop on over for a magical experience and the purist of island escapes.
With only five inhabited islands, the other 140 or so more are home to wildlife and seabirds. Some are popular day tripper haunts, while others rarely see a human footprint.
St Mary’ s is the largest island and stepping stone to the rest. Hugh Town is its central hub with a cluster of shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs as well as a museum and three nearby beaches- Porthcressa, Town Beach and Porthmellon. Old Town is the other“ major” settlement boasting a noteworthy beach, nature reserve, pub and cafés.
Subtropical Tresco has a little bit of everything- from dramatic rocky outcrops, Bronze Age burial sites and romantic castle ruins, to secluded sandy beaches and world-famous Abbey Garden.
Beach lovers should castaway to St Martin’ s. Just two miles long, it has some of the finest stretches of sands in the British Isles, if not the world.
St Agnes, Britain’ s most south-westerly outpost, is totally untamed and astonishingly peaceful. Strewn with paradise beaches and an inland patchwork of flower fields, it’ s also joined to its closest neighbour, Gugh by a sand bar at low tide.
Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited islands, is a rugged island of vibrant contrasts. Explore its rocky coves, laze on white sandy beaches or hike up the small granite hills for far-reaching views.
From shipwreck treasure and burial chambers to deserted villages, these isles have bucket loads of history. Watersport enthusiasts can hire a kayak, SUP or boat and experience close-up the amazing aquatic environment, while landlubbers can comb the seashore, stroll coastal paths, hire a bike, and gaze at swooping seabirds or seals in the surf.
Tantalise your tastebuds with the catch of the day or tender islander beef, tuck into a handmade ice cream, sink a locally brewed ale and raise a glass of St Agnes gin or Scilly wine. It’ s fair to say the local fare represents the ultimate in slow food and low food miles!
Whatever takes your fancy, you’ ll relish this stunning location and the mildest climate in the UK.
BRYHER Hell Bay
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Higher Town New Grimsby
5 TRESCO
Abbey Garden
St Mary’ s Isles of Scilly
Hugh Terminal
ST MARY’ S Town Porthmellon Beach
Garrison 1 Airport Old Town
2 Town Beach
Porthcressa
Saint Agnes ST AGNES
1 Bell Rock, Crebinick House & St Mary’ s Hall
2 Star Castle & Tregarthen’ s 3 The Atlantic Inn & Schooners
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4 Karma 5 New Inn 6 Hell Bay
ST MARTIN’ S
Penzance 2 hour 40 mins
ISLES OF SCILLY
See pages 7-8 for Travel information
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St Agnes
78 Isles of Scilly visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 777