isles of scilly tourist information centre
Close to town, beach and quay with stylish rooms, sumptuous beds, fine quality linen, the perfect base to enjoy these magical islands.
Time for you.
Please contact us for all of your requirements:
✦ Accommodation ✦ What’s on ✦ Transport
Our dedicated team is here to help you to enjoy the Scillies
The Old Wesleyan Chapel, Garrison Lane, Hugh Town, St Mary’s
01720 422536
tic@scillyonline.co.uk www.simplyscilly.co.uk
clarity of the water.
The snorkelling trips are a partnership between the IOS Wildlife Trust and St. Martin’s Diving School. Contact IOS Wildlife Trust 422153
http://www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk/ or Anna Cawthray at St. Martin’s Dive School http://www.
scillydiving.com/
Please quote reference SMH D01. St Mary’s Hall Hotel, Church Street, Hugh Town, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly TR21 0JR Tel 01720 422316
www.stmaryshallhotel.co.uk
and a general blaze of colour reach up towards the sky. Whilst at the Abbey Gardens, head for the Valhalla museum to see the display of amazing figureheads, which formerly graced some of the ocean-going vessels that foundered upon Scilly’s unforgiving rocks.
One of the best ways to explore the Islands is by using the 60+ miles of coastal footpaths, providing some of the most fantastic views anywhere in the UK. Whether you want to explore on your own or have one of the Islands guides point out the features, history and places of interest, walking on Scilly is a wonderful experience.
For a spot of sightseeing on the water, try one of the regular trips that head to the uninhabited Islands of Tean, St Helens and the Eastern Isles and Annet, where you can train your binoculars on the likes of puffins, guillemots and storm petrels.
Launches leave St Mary’s harbour many times during the day starting at 9.45am and offer a variety of choices between direct sailings, circular tours and more specialised trips to look at historic sites, seals and seabirds or go fishing.
There is also a lot to see under the surface of Scilly, on glass-bottomed boats where you can peer at seals, star fish and sea sponges. Or for the more adventurous you can swim with the fish on a guided snorkelling tour, giving you the opportunity to see fantastic sea life up close including two spot and sand gobies, pipe fish, prawns, shore crabs, wrasse, and the occasional jellyfish! And if you are really lucky baby plaice – thanks to the wonderful
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To delve into the history of the Islands, head to the museum in Hugh Town (St Mary’s), where captivating displays include relics salvaged from sunken ships, the Iron Age Bryher Sword and an illustrated account of the islands’ role in the English Civil War can be seen. The Islands are also home to some of the best-preserved Bronze Age tombs and archaeological sites, such as the remains of an ancient village on Halangy Down and a chamber tomb at Bant’s Carn.
For a chance to find your own bit of history, simply roll up your trouser legs and hunt for beads at Beady Pool on St. Agnes – where tiny terracotta and glass beads from a 17th century shipwreck that foundered on the Islands whilst en- route from Amsterdam to Lisbon can still be found. While doing so the shrimps are attracted to the heat radiated from your feet and dance on your toes.
Shrimping season begins at the start of July and finishes at the end of September. The best time to go shrimping is on a low tide.
Aside from an abundance of natural and historical treasures, the Islands are also a hive of artistic activity, from paintings and pottery to stained glass and abstract art, bold seascapes and hand made silver jewellery – all produced and sold on the Islands.
In early May the Islands biggest annual event takes place – the World Gig Championships, where teams from across the Islands, Cornwall, Devon and from around the world take place to race against each other across the inter- island waters – a truly wonderful spectacle.
Where to Eat F
resh air, clean seas and long sunny days are the secret ingredient in making island produce so delicious and giving the chefs so many fantastic raw materials to work with.
There are a wealth of places to enjoy food and drink across the Islands, that will suit all tastes and budgets, from fish and chip takeaways to fine dining.
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