The Isles of Scilly offer a certain quality of life - simpler, kinder and more peaceful. A quality long lost to many other parts of the UK. And 2,200 people are lucky enough to call it home. There are five inhabited islands - St. Mary's, Tresco, St. Martin's, Bryher and St. Agnes plus countless uninhabited ones to explore. Each island has its distinct characteristics. Scilly also boasts an incredible ancient history and archaeology, alongside sweeping sea views and rugged undeveloped coasts. Out at sea, there are incredible shipwrecks and amazing wildlife.
Our heritage revolves around the sea - fishing for lobsters, crabs and crayfish and racing traditional pilot gigs. Flower farming also thrives here; Scilly's scented narcissi are renowned the world over.
The sea air, clean seas and mild weather also provide the additional secret ingredients to local fare - including lobster, tender island-reared beef, freshest vegetables and melt-in-the mouth ice-creams. Enjoy our cafes and restaurants; explore our local stores and farm stalls.
So come: submerge yourself in our way of life. Unwind in a natural playground and indulge in some island experiences.
Explore the Islands
Island Hopping
Scilly’s Greatest Pleasure
The Isles of Scilly, a stunning English archipelago, boast over 140 charming islands. Whether you seek solitude, scenery, or history, there’s an island for you. With our expert boatmen and fleet, hopping between them is effortless. Ready for adventure? Let’s explore!
Do as much or as little as you like on the beautiful island of St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s is the Isles of Scilly’s largest island (population 1,800) and the gateway to the rest of the islands. Covering an area of little more than 6 square miles, it’s still not exactly bustling but with its air and sea links, is likely to be your first port of call when you visit.
The island of ultimate luxury and the famous Abbey Garden
This island has a little bit of everything – from dramatic rocky outcrops, bronze age burial sites and romantic castle ruins, to secluded sandy beaches and the world famous Tresco Abbey Garden which was established in the 1830s by Augustus Smith.
A voyage of discovery to the best beaches in the world
Crystal clear waters, idyllic beaches and a prevailing sense of calm make St. Martin's a delight. With its iconic red and white Daymark, erected in 1683 by Thomas Ekins, it is the first island you spot as you cross from the mainland.
A rugged yet deeply beautiful island of vibrant contrasts
Pounded by Atlantic waves on one side, yet blessed with calm sandy beaches on the other, Bryher is an island of dramatic contrast - the perfect place to enjoy a taste of untamed Scilly. Around 80 people are lucky enough to call it home.
England’s final frontier - totally untamed and thoroughly unspoilt
On the most south-westerly edge of the Isles of Scilly, St. Agnes is totally unspoilt and astonishingly peaceful. It measures just a mile or so across, and its closest neighbour is Gugh, to which it is joined by a sand bar at low tide.
Scilly’s Untouched Sanctuary for Seabirds and Wildlife
West of St. Agnes lies the low-lying island of Annet. Closed to the public year-round to protect its wildlife, you can still admire its beauty from the water. Boat trips offer the perfect opportunity for birdwatching—so don’t forget your binoculars!
Stunning beaches and legends of Scilly’s Lost Island
Samson is the largest of the uninhabited islands and was inhabited until 1855. There are truly stunning beaches to enjoy and old ruined cottages to explore on both North Hill and South Hill. Discover the island's captivating landscape.
The Isles of Scilly offer a mild climate year-round, with spring and summer bringing warmer weather, perfect for outdoor activities and island exploration. Autumn and winter, though cooler, provide a quieter, more serene experience, ideal for those seeking peace and solitude amid…
Mathew Hook
Let us tempt you
Unforgettable Adventures
Scilly blends natural beauty, tranquillity, and seclusion, with its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs, creating a landscape that feels untouched by time.
There are plenty of ways you can get out and about to enjoy Scilly - on guided tours and excursions or simply by heading out with map in hand to explore.
If you're visiting Scilly for just a day, we want to help you make every moment count. Check out our handy day trip guide for top tips, must-see spots, activities, and the best places to eat.
Scilly’s stunning beaches, with turquoise waters and fine sand, rival any in the world. With over 35 beaches across the archipelago, there’s plenty of space for a secluded getaway.
From the world famous Tresco Abbey Garden with its 20,000 exotic species from around the world, Elizabethan castles and fortresses, Bronze Age remains and burial chambers, famous shipwreck landmarks, incredible lighthouses, including Bishop Rock.
Scilly offers plenty of opportunities to explore its captivating wildlife at sea. Depending on the season, you can spot seabirds like puffins, shearwaters, cormorants, and razorbills, or see grey Atlantic seals, famous for popping up to say hello.
Artist Richard Pearce’s life is so closely bound with the sea it’d be no surprise to find saltwater running through his veins. He hears, watches and paints it in all its many moods, he lives just metres from the jagged-toothed rocks of Bryher’s storm-lashed west coast, and over the years he’s picked…
Oriel Hicks lifts the lid of her dog-eared cardboard box with as much excitement as the rest of us might display when opening a box of posh artisan chocolates. Her eyes light up as she reveals its contents: scores of slightly irregular squares of coloured glass, tightly packed like After Eights.
What’s for supper at Salakee tonight? Duck legs with duck-fat roasties and wilted chard? A Dexter beef brisket slow-cooked with garden carrots? Or perhaps a simple frittata of sunshine-yellow eggs and just-picked spinach? Join Kylie and Dave Mumford and their toddlers in their cosy kitchen at…
“Try this,” says my companion, handing me a fairy-sized spoonful of velvety, slightly jelly-like, golden honey. “You taste the world.” I drop it slowly into my mouth. It’s spicy, complex yet soothing. Then a hint of eucalpytus gently strokes my palate. I’m with bee buff Jilly Halliday, whom I’ve…
When life hands you gorse flowers, make gin. So runs the motto infusing the Wild Wingletang gin crafted by Aiden Hicks at Westward Farm on St. Agnes. Venture onto the rugged heathlands of Wingletang Down, where the Hicks family graze their Red Ruby beef cattle, and you’ll see gorse bushes wearing…
When a flower loses its power, what do you do? The answer from 11-year-old Issy Taylor at Veronica Farm on Bryher was quite simple: ‘Make fudge.’ The flower in question was narcissus, whose market had suddenly wilted in face of competition from European growers, so Issy’s parents Kris and Geoff, who…
The world is your lobster - at least, if you’re a Pender. The Pender family have been fishing for lobster and crabs off tiny Bryher for as long as anyone can trace, and still today three generations of Penders venture out in search of the tasty crustaceans. The oldest is Mike Pender, now 78; the…
One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive in the Isles of Scilly is the striking presence of its lighthouses. These six iconic structures, including the remote Wolf Rock, stand as vigilant guardians of the islands, warning sailors of the treacherous waters and rocky shores. The first…
The entire archipelago is a garden in one and a kaleidoscope of colour with horticulture, husbandry and natural flora happily living side-by-side. Turn any corner on a walk on the Isles of Scilly, at any time of year, and the colours are there to greet you - in the winter flower fields, along the…
Gearing up for the summer holidays? Here’s our pick of 9 fun family adventures suitable for those staying on the islands or day trippers. From 1-hour experiences to a full day on Scilly, there’s something for all abilities and ages with plenty of fun factor. Coasteering Scilly’s rocky coast Kernow…
Lucy McRobert, formerly of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, shares her expertise on what makes these islands a birdwatcher’s paradise. Scilly’s position on the wild Atlantic edge has made it mecca for birdwatchers since the 1960s. This island chain is perfectly located to capture American species…
Wild sea swimming isn't limited to any time of the year - in fact, every season offers a uniquely different experience, as does every island across the Isles of Scilly. A swim in the wild waters around Bryher inspires the soul and lifts the heart at any time of the year, but for me autumn holds a…
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Edward Gawne
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