Scilly’s landscapes, which look and feel so different to the rest of England, are one of its greatest assets; the wildlife and habitats that flourish here make it a truly fascinating place to visit whatever the season.
The Isles of Scilly have been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1975 which has been rebranded as the Isles of Scilly National Landscape. The smallest in the UK, our designation is unusual in that it covers the entire archipelago, including the uninhabited Islands and rocks, with some Islands being designated “scheduled landscapes” because of their rich, visible histories.
The Islands provide a wealth of contrasting and colour-rich landscapes, a large percentage of which are managed and maintained by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, a locally run, independent charity. You can help to protect and care for Scilly's exceptional natural environment by making a donation to the Wildlife Trust here. Hard, rugged pillars of granite in varying shades of greys and pinks; soft, springy, wind and sea blasted heathlands which emit a purple and yellow glow during the late summer months; small dense woodlands of mature elm trees which bathe you in green light as they rustle and sway; farmland fields protected by dry stone walls and Pittosporum hedges, planted with rows of scented narcissi which brighten the darkest winter mornings; and the tangible history of the islands which comes to life in the many archaeological sites.
The Atlantic grey seals here in Scilly make up one of Europe’s most important breeding populations. We are also home to rare seabirds, with a significant percentage of the world’s Manx shearwater population breeding on the isles. If you look closely on a nature walk, you could spot our very own Scilly Shrew, a species that is unique to the islands. You’ll also be able to enjoy the spectacle of elm groves as Scilly is one of the few places in the UK where elm trees thrive. Buzzing around us, particularly in summer, you may be lucky enough to gaze at the Scilly bee which has also evolved here and is found only on the islands.
At night, you’ll marvel at our wonderfully dark and clear skies – some of the best in the country – so you can kick off an evening with an informative bat walk before indulging in a spot of amazing star gazing. And for the passionate history lover, Scilly has more “Scheduled Monuments” per hectare than anywhere else in Britain.
Whatever your interests in wildlife, landscape and heritage, Scilly gives you the freedom to explore, to learn and to appreciate. We’re immensely proud of our precious island environment which is why we always ask that you leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs and memories.
Our ancient landscape is constantly changing, yet it has always retained its understated beauty. During the past 10,000 years, rising sea-levels have drowned parts of Scilly, leaving prehistoric field boundaries and settlements visible beneath the sea. On a time-scale closer to home, the tide’s daily ebb and flow continuously changes the size, shape and character of every island. It is against this backdrop of change – in geological time and on a daily basis – that plants, animals and people shape today’s archipelago.
Scilly remains a living, vibrant community where people play a vital role in protecting and managing the exceptional landscape. Indeed, land management and community vitality are inseparably tied – and have been for years gone by. Our stunning landscape is managed by farmers, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and environmental managers, including archaeologists. Their work creates and maintains many of the islands’ environmental treasures, including the iconic flower fields first created in the 19th Century, the rugged heathlands, and Scilly’s numerous archaeological sites.
Indeed, most of Scilly’s coastal and countryside paths, including those on uninhabited islands such as Samson and St. Helen’s, are also managed by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust so you can enjoy easy access to our beautiful landscapes and make the most of exploring our wonderful wildlife and rich heritage. You can also join a designated tour, walk or boat trip to enjoy a personal and close-up experience of what our special landscapes and seascapes have to offer.
