The Isles of Scilly: an Introduction
Created | Updated Jun 2, 2003
The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of small islands 28 miles of the southwest coast of the United Kingdom. As with much of southwest England they have a mild, temperate climate making them ideal holiday destinations and home to a wide range of flora and fauna, as well as to around 2,000 people.
There are five inhabited Islands in the Group: St Marys, Tresco, St Martins,
Bryher, St Agnes, as well as numerous uninhabited islands and rocky outcrops. The Islands can be reached from the mainland by boat, plane or helicopter. These will arrive at St Marys or Tresco, and the other islands can be reached by small boats known as launches. Visitors can stay on all the inhabited islands: all have a range of self-catering accommodation, all except St Agnes have at least one hotel, and all except Tresco have a campsite. All the islands have at least one post office and general store where you can get everything you need, although there may not be a wide range of brands. The only cash machines on the islands are on St Mary's, but as long as you make sure you have enough cash for any boat trips you may want to take - about £5 for each inter-island return and £8-10 for special trips, such as to see the seals and sea birds - then you should be alright. You can run up bills in most of the little shops on the off-islands and pay by cheque or card at the end of your stay.
In legend the Isles of Scilly were part of the land of Lyonesse. What is known is that until 4000 years ago the islands were one single large island called Ennor. Due to the gradual rise in sea levels the islands are now sundered from each other, but the remains of Bronze Age settlements can still be found under the sea. The three largest islands: St Marys, St Martins, Tresco and Bryher, together with Samson, St Helens, Tean and the Eastern Isles form a central group around Crow Sound. Bryher lies on the Atlantic side of Tresco, separated from it by a narrow channel, which, at some very low tides, can be crossed on foot. St Agnes lies to the south-west of St Marys across St Marys Sound. All of the islands have sandy beaches and sparkling blue seas, but the best are to be found on St Martins and Tresco, although swimming is generally best at high tide.
Today the islands are a popular destination for holidaymakers drawn by the beauty and the simplicity of life there. There is plenty for the tourist to do, from sightseeing to watersports, although many prefer just to relax on the beach. Each of the islands have their own launches and run a variety of day trips, to other inhabited islands, to Samson or St Helens of the uninhabited islands, or to view the wildlife on the rocks and Eastern Isles. There are also trips to watch the cricket or Gig races in summer. Each year the Isles of Scilly host the Pilot Gig world championships. Well over a hundred boats race several courses around the islands over four days for little more than the sport of it.
Each of the islands have their own individual character and choosing which one to stay on for the first trip may present a problem, but after that many visitors find themselves attached to "their" island, returning again and again.
