Tresco
Tresco is the second largest island of the Isles
of Scilly. In the south of the island are the famous sub-tropical Tresco Abbey
Gardens. There are many old buildings and monuments on Tresco. "King Charles's
Castle" dates
from the 16th century. This was later demolished to provide the building
materials for Cromwell's Castle, a coastal tower built during the Civil War
itself. The Old Blockhouse is a 16th-century gun tower protecting Old Grimsby
harbour,
vigorously defended during the Civil War, and a monument to Augustus Smith
stands above Appletree Bay on the south west of the island.
St. Martin's
St Martin's is the northernmost populated island of the Isles of Scilly,
with a total population (2001 census) of 142. St Martins is famous for its
beautiful unspoilt
beaches, perfect for swimming, 'picnicking' and exploring rock pools and
pleasant walking. It also is the home of the most southerly vineyard in the
British
Isles. At the northeast corner of the island is a large red-and-white daymark.
The island has one pub, The Seven Stones, in Lower Town.
Bryher
Bryher is the smallest of the five inhabited islands of the Isles of Scilly. Off the southern
end of Bryher is the uninhabited island of Samson, with a number of ancient
ruins. Bryher is Celtic for ‘Place of Hills’. There are a number of hills
on the island, including Watch Hill, a viewpoint, and Samson Hill at the
southern end of the island. Scenery on the island includes sandy beaches
at Rushy Bay and Hell Bay. At
low tide, mudflats are exposed in the channel between Bryher and Tresco.
The Great Pool located to the west of the centre of the island is a Site of
Special Scientific Interest. In the north of the island are the Fraggle Rock
Bar, Vine Cafe and Bryher Stores. In the centre of the island is Bar Quay,
which was built in 1990 by the television programme Challenge Anneka'. Local
activities include sailing, scuba and watching wildlife.
St. Agnes
St Agnes is the southernmost populated island. It
is joined to the island of Gugh by a sandbar, the Gugh
Bar, exposed only at low tide. St Agnes is the only populated island in the
Isles of Scilly which has no hotel, making it one of the most unspoilt
islands in
the archipelago. It has the famous Turks Head pub (the most Westerly public
house in the UK) and a café. The southern end of the island is covered by
the heather moor land of Wingletang Down. The island's most notable landmark
is its lighthouse,
which has been converted into living accommodation and no longer contains
a light. Other landmarks
include a standing stone known as the Nag's Head (probably a natural formation)
and
the so-called "Troytown Maze" a pebble maze thought to be of medieval date.
The Isles of Scilly are
located 28 miles West of Lands End, Cornwall and were
designated an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1975, the
archipelago is
made up of 5 main inhabited islands – St Mary’s (with the “Capital” Hugh Town
and the largest island), Tresco , St
Martins, Bryher and St
Agnes and many small uninhabited islands and rocks. Whether you enjoy sailing,
water sports, horse riding, walking or just lazy
beach days,
the Isles of Scilly have something to offer everyone for a relaxing holiday
- with good food, drink and local entertainment.
There are many boat trips to the various inhabited and uninhabited islands
. To see the islands from a unique perspective try a sailing trip on
the catamaran “Halcyon Daze” or an exhilarating rib ride with Island Sea
Safaris. There are also bus tours of St Mary's, including the classic
'Katie bus'
tour. These include
commentaries about local history and places of interest. You can explore St
Mary's at your leisure by hiring bikes (hire for half a day, a full day,
24 hours or a full week). Archaeological and historical
guided walks around St Mary's are organised on a regular basis throughout
the season. The Isles of Scilly have
one of the highest density of ancient monuments, some dating back to prehistoric
times,
anywhere in the UK.
Sporting and outdoor activities
There are facilities for many sporting activities on the islands, including football,
tennis, squash, badminton, judo and cricket. Horse-riding is available at St
Mary's Riding Centre near Pelistry. There is a nine hole golf course on St. Mary's
which
has
wonderful views of all
the other islands. Canoeing, climbing and abseiling tuition and trips are available
on St Mary’s.
The main local spectator sport on the islands is gig racing. Gigs are 32 foot
traditional wooden working boats, some of which are over 100 years old. The
islanders race against each other every week - Wednesday evening is the women,
and Friday
for the men - throughout
the season.
