History & Heritage

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  1. The History of the Islands
    The Isles of Scilly have a long and ancient history, it is theorised that they were originally one large island, called ‘Ennor’ from the Old Cornish for ‘Great Island’, that was flooded by the rising sea levels circa 400 AD. There is also evidence of settlement as early as the Stone Age, and you can still find submerged stone walls and boundaries.
  2. Lighthouses
    One of the first things you notice in the Isles of Scilly are the lighthouses. Six of them, if you count Wolf Rock, guard the islands from every approach, with the first built in 1680, the last in 1911.
  3. The history of our pilot gigs
    Back in the mid-19th Century, around 200 men worked as pilots on the Isles of Scilly. Today, gigs (specially-designed sea-faring rowing boats with six oarsmen and a coxswain) are raced purely for pleasure particularly throughout Cornwall and the south west of England. Their heritage on Scilly, meanwhile, remains very much a part of island life – dating back to the days when they helped incoming ships to navigate the waters, smuggled goods from abroad and performed daring rescues. We take a brief
  4. Ships & Wrecks
    The Isles of Scilly have been the site of many shipwrecks over the centuries – with over 500 registered wrecks around the archipelago. We take a look at the story of how Scilly became a significant ‘ship park’ – and one of the most notorious sites for wrecks in the British Isles.
  5. Star Castle - touching history on holiday
    How many hotels have you stayed in that were built in the shape of an eight-pointed star? For me, the Star Castle Hotel just outside Hugh Town was a first. Hazel Southam, journalist, broadcaster and now author, recalls her love of Scilly's rich history.
  6. Museum on the Move
    Island hop your way across Scilly and discover treasures up close from over the centuries with Museum on the Move. Discover how here.

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  1. Brushes and flowers
    water colour painting
    Studio with paintings and flowers
    Gallery
    Postcards
    Painting
    Black and white painting
    Gallery items
    Isles of Scilly guide
    Paintings - waves, moon and boat
    Brushes and flowers
    water colour painting
    Studio with paintings and flowers
    Gallery
    Postcards
    Painting
    Black and white painting
    Gallery items
    Isles of Scilly guide
    Paintings - waves, moon and boat

    Add Alex Bagnall Illustrations to your Itinerary

    Address

    The Potting Shed, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, TR23 0PR

    Telephone

    07814 948151

    Bryher

    Alex is an illustrator, painter, and avid beach comber, based in her studio on the West side of Bryher.

    Sleeps:

  2. Ancient stone chamber
    Kelp pit
    Ancient stone chamber
    Kelp pit

    Add Scilly Walks to your Itinerary

    Address

    Katharine Sawyer, Alegria, High Lanes, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly, TR21 0NW

    Telephone

    01720 423326

    St. Mary’s

    Scilly Walks offers guided walks and boat trips to introduce you to the archaeology and history of the Isles of Scilly.

    Sleeps:

  3. The Abbey Arch in Tresco Abbey Garden
    A view across Tresco Abbey Garden
    The Mediterranean Garden in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Lucy Dorrien-Smith's Shell House in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Shaded glades in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Protea in Tresco Abbey Garden
    The Abbey Arch in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Subtropical planting in Tresco Abbey Garden
    A view across Tresco Abbey Garden
    Gaia sculpture in Tresco Abbey Garden
    The Abbey Arch in Tresco Abbey Garden
    A view across Tresco Abbey Garden
    The Mediterranean Garden in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Lucy Dorrien-Smith's Shell House in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Shaded glades in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Protea in Tresco Abbey Garden
    The Abbey Arch in Tresco Abbey Garden
    Subtropical planting in Tresco Abbey Garden
    A view across Tresco Abbey Garden
    Gaia sculpture in Tresco Abbey Garden

    Add Tresco Abbey Garden to your Itinerary

    Address

    Tresco, Isles of Scilly, TR24 0QQ

    Telephone

    +44 01720 424108

    Tresco

    The sub-tropical Abbey Garden is a glorious exception; a perennial Kew without the glass, home to 20,000 plants from more than 80 countries, flourishing just 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall. The plants that thrive…

    Sleeps:

    1

    Facilities

    Other

    • Gift Shop

    Attraction Facilities

    • Plant Sales
    • Shop
    • Tea Rooms

    Venue Facilities

    • Groups Accepted

    Key Features

    • Approx length of visit - We would recommend allowing at least half a day for your visit
    • Of historic, literary or architectural interest
    • Outdoor Attraction

    Accessibility

    • Accessible to Wheelchair Users - Whilst the garden does have a number of sets of steps, there is also an accessible route along shingle paths suitable for wheelchairs. For further information on accessibility around the garden, please call 01720 424108.
    • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

    Catering

    • On-Site café/restaurant

    Establishment Features

    • Dogs-Accepted - On leads
    • On-site Restaurant/Cafe
    • Open All Year
    • Toilets

    Tours and Demonstrations

    • Guided Tours Available for Groups - Please contact Tresco Abbey Garden for details
  4. Ships figureheads at Valhalla

    Add Valhalla Museum to your Itinerary

    Address

    Tresco Abbey Garden, Tresco, Isles of Scilly

    Telephone

    01720 424108

    Tresco

    The unique Valhalla collection is situated within Tresco Abbey Garden and contains some 30 figureheads, as well as name boards and other decorative ships’ carvings from the days of sail.

    Sleeps:

  5. Star Castle Hotel's candlelit restaurant, with a waitress
    A lighthouse on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
    A bedroom at the Star Castle Hotel, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    Pelistry beach on St Mary's
    Bant's Cairn, a prehistoroc burial chamber on St Mary's
    Star Castle Hotel's candlelit restaurant, with a waitress
    A lighthouse on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
    A bedroom at the Star Castle Hotel, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    Pelistry beach on St Mary's
    Bant's Cairn, a prehistoroc burial chamber on St Mary's

    Address

    Telephone

    02081 451011

    Isles of Scilly

    Uncover the secret Isles of Scilly with a GeoCultura 4 or 5-night small group tour, dedicated to taking you off the beaten track to learn about island life and hear the tales of the islands. Treat yourself to a most…

    Sleeps:

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