Visit the Isles of Scilly for a


truly unforgettable experience Whether you choose to travel by plane, helicopter or take the passenger ferry, just getting to the Isles of Scilly is an experience with unique views of the western tip of the British Isles.


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.


What to Do?


Activities on the Isles of Scilly tend to revolve around the great outdoors. One of the best experiences is to simply explore the Islands on foot – whether that’s the main Island St Mary’s or by taking a short boat trip to one of the other inhabited Islands or one of the many uninhabited islands.


With its shops, restaurants and pubs, there is plenty to see and do on St Mary’s.


Nature plays a major role in life on Scilly - during the big spring tides of the Equinox, the sea retreats from the channel between Tresco and Bryher enabling you to take a unique journey on foot from one island to the other.


The snorkelling trips are a partnership between the IOS Wildlife Trust and St. Martin’s Diving School. Contact IOS Wildlife Trust 422153 www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk or Anna Cawthray at St. Martin’s Dive School - www.scillydiving.com


To delve into the history of the Islands, head to the museum in Hugh Town (St Mary’s).


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.


Abbey Gardens,Tresco


One of the Islands jewels is the internationally renowned Tresco Abbey Garden, a botanical paradise created around the ruins of a Benedictine Priory in 1834.


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.


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.


There is also a lot to see under the surface of Scilly, on glass-bottomed


Bryer


Bryer is the most untamed of the inhabited Scilly Isles. Its surface is covered in the most part by wild flora and fauna.


It has a tiny population of around seventy people who are largely situated around the eastern quay. Despite this, it does have a fair amount of accommodation, pubs and shops. There is also plenty to do here; in the summer.


Water sports of all types are available for the visitor including; reef and wreck diving, launch hire for shark fishing or maybe just snorkelling in the lovely Rushy Bay.


www.cornish-visitor.co.uk


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


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.


To find out more please visit www.simplycilly.co.uk/site/taste-scilly


The Off Islands Tresco


Tresco is the second largest of the islands and boasts a wide variety of scenery.


The northern end of the island is wild and barren with the ruins of King Charles’ Castle and the 17th century Cromwell’s Castle. The middle section of the island has green pasture, cottage and farmland leading down through an avenue of densely packed trees to the famous Abbey Garden - laid on the site of a 10th century Benedictine Abbey.


To see all that the Scillies has to offer in one trip is impossible but even a


St Agnes Isles of Scilly Tourist Information


Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Centre offers: • Accommodation availability on the island •Tourist information advice • Information leaflets, publications and maps, souvenirs


• Local boating information and boating tickets • Contact the TIC on 01720 424031 or tic@scilly.gov.uk


www.simplyscilly.co.uk Cornish Visitor Guide - spring / summer 2012 23 St Agnes


St Agnes at one mile across, is one of the smaller of five inhabited islands in the Scilly archipelago, and has a community of only 72 people.


Visitors wanting to get away from the stress of the mainland life find themselves surrounded by clear water and clean air straight off the vast sweep of the Atlantic.


People of all ages love this island. It is safe, clean and very beautiful.


St Martin’s


St Martin’s offers you an ideal location for family with secluded, clean beaches and breathtaking scenery.


St Martin’s is the third largest of the islands located at the northeast corner of the Isles of Scilly archipelago. It is the first island that you see as you travel to the Isles of Scilly from the mainland.


single day visit will leave you desperate to return – and you will be very welcome whether you come by sea, air, or cruise liner.


Uninhabited Scillies


The unmistakable twin hills of Samson are subject to countless sunset photographs each year. Samson lies to the north west of St Mary’s and once gave shelter to many families.


The ruins of the oldest Christian building on the islands is on St Helen’s and the remains of St Elidius, a British Bishop and the son of and English king is alleged to be buried on the island.


The rocks and islands of the Western Rocks are famous for being the graveyard of countless shipwrecks through the centuries.


The Eastern Isles near St Martin’s have more grassy cover than the other uninhabited islands and important discoveries of habitation from around AD69 have been found on Nomour and may be seen in the museum on St Mary’s.


Sea birds and seals live there in great numbers and may be seen at close quarters when cruising around here.


How to get there


Getting to the Isles of Scilly is simpler than many people think, with direct daily flights (Except Sundays) to the Islands by fixed wing plane (Isles of Scilly Skybus – 0845 710 5555) from Southampton, Bristol, Exeter, Newquay and Lands End, and by Helicopter (British International Helicopters – 01736 363 781) from Penzance and passenger ferry on the Scillonian (Isles of Scilly Steamship Company – 0845 710 5555).


To find out more visit www.simplyscilly.co.uk or call 01720 422536.


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