Earlier this month we were delighted to welcome chef, author and food photographer James Strawbridge to the islands. James is familiar with Scilly having competed several times in the World Pilot Gig Championships held here on our islands, but has never visited with the whole family!

James, wife Holly and their three children travelled across on the Isles of Scilly Travel Scillonian passenger ferry – with their two gorgeous Bedlington terriers. The family stayed at  Peninnis Farm Lodges on St. Mary’s, a brilliant, central location to explore on foot (and paw).

Peninnis Farm is a 50-acre working farm with 7 purpose built wooden lodges, each with log burners, fully equipped kitchens, modern bathrooms and outdoor decking – complete with firepits. A peaceful setting, just 10 minute walk from Hugh Town, the farm offers children the chance to collect their own free-range eggs or feed the pigs with Farmer Dan, whilst the honesty store provides meat from the farm, sausages for the BBQ or bacon for the morning.

Staying for 6 nights, James had plenty of time to discover what Scilly has to offer with his itinerary including all of the five inhabited islands: St. May’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, St. Agnes and Bryher. Given his natural love of food, the provenance of produce and the natural world, he spent his time meeting our ‘island folk’- farmers, producers, growers, distillers, wine-makers, dairy farmers and of  course sampling the local eateries.

Starting on St. Mary’s, James and children walked up to Salakee farm to meet farmers Kylie Carter and Dave Mumford. Champions of regenerative farming and soil health, the couple have managed this 35-acre farm (since 2014) of which Dave’s family have been custodians for over 3 generations. James met Nancy the house cow, the thriving honeybees and walked through the newly planted orchards of fruit, nut and native trees… and he couldn’t leave without a box of fresh produce from Salakee’s ‘no-dig’ market garden!

After a first day of rambling along the coast paths, we sent them off to a place they could call home for the next few days. One of the many things visitors love about staying at Peninnis Farm is the flexibility and freedom the lodges offer; whilst Hugh Town is close-by, the temptation to ‘stay at home’ in front of the log-burner or reclined in a deck chair in the sunny garden, an evening in is just as appealing. Tanglewood Kitchen is a deli, kitchen and intimate dining space in the old sorting office of the Post office, which offers private cheffing, prepared crab/lobster and luxury take-away meals, including a collaboration with the Oriental Club London. Co-Owner and chef Euan Rodger delivered an Indian feast to James and family to enjoy in the comfort of the lodge.

Jumping on the colourful day tripper boats is part and parcel of a Scillonian experience and James and family visited all of the ‘off-islands’… some of them more than once!

On St. Martin’s, he met with local producers St. Martin’s Vineyard, owned and run by couple James and Holly and the only rum/ vodka distillery on Scilly,  SC Dogs Distillery, founded and run by Andrew Walder. After wandering the blissful wild-flower vines of the vineyard and chatting about the organic processes the couple have implemented since purchasing the business in 2019, James went on to learn about the production of rums and vodkas on the islands, each of which takes its name and inspiration from a real-life Scillonian Sea-Dog , with SC being the prefix of Scilly fishing boats.

The family walked to Churchtown farm to meet Zoe Julian, co-owner of Scilly Flowers and learnt about the flower-growing industry on the islands, still the second largest economy after tourism for the archipelago. Zoe really pioneered ‘flowers by post’ and their eco-friendly packaging and high-quality blooms are one of the most popular gifts for visitors.

You cannot step foot on St. Martins’ and not visit the iconic, full-of-character Seven Stones Inn, run by Emily and Dom. The Strawbridge’s spent a sunny afternoon on the terrace overlooking the Eastern Isles, having lunch and chatting to the couple about all things food and drink, before their day-tripper back to St. Mary’s.

Another day, another island and to St. Agnes! A small island which is wild, remote and quite magical. James and family visited the two main farms on the island – Westward Farm and Troytown. The former, run by father Mike and son Aiden, grow their own botanicals which are used for essential oils and in turn, made into beautiful soaps and skincare products.. and delicious gin! Walking around the fields full of geraniums, chamomile and hives buzzing with native honeybees, James and Holly, enjoyed a few tots of gins including using gorse form the Wingletang Downs. Considered the smallest dairy in the UK, with just 9 milking cows, Troytown Farm make, for many, the very best ice cream there is!  

Tresco is like stepping into another world. Here James and family hired bikes, rambled the coast paths and discovered the world-famous Tresco Abbey Garden. Home to over 20,000 plants from over 60 different Countries, the garden is also home to golden pheasants, red squirrels – and Jilly Halliday, who manages the Scillonian Bee Project. Working with bee keepers across the island, the family learnt about the native Scilly bee and the work being done to preserve and protect its important role in the fragile ecosystems on Scilly… followed by some sweet tasters!

Last on their jam-packed itinerary was the tiny island of Bryher, which packs a real foodie punch in terms of producers and food and drink options. The Strawbridge family spent the morning chatting to Mark and Amanda Pender, brother and sister, who along with father and son, are a 3-generational fishing family who own Island Fish. The islands largest provider of lobster and crab, Mike and Amanda’s son Seamus go out in their boats most days bring back the freshest shellfish which they then prepare and dress for the hospitality businesses across Scilly- or as James and family did, to be eaten at their beautiful café by the sea.

More from James Strawbridge at the annual Taste of Scilly Festival between the 15th & 24th September where he teams up with Seven Stones Inn on St. Martin's on Sunday 24th for a food cook-up like no other! Book your tickets here.

You can read more about James and his foodie adventures with Strawbridge Kitchen here.