St. Mary's | The Islands | Visit Isles of Scilly UK St Mary's Bike Hire St. Mary's All year The place to hire your bicycle on St Mary’s. We provide a full range of bicycles and accessories to suit all ages and sizes. Pedal power for all the family. We provide a comprehensive service that lets you enjoy your stay here with peace of mind and all the time to follow the big yellow map and see St Mary’s at its best. Read more » St Mary's Boatmen's Association St. Mary's Mar-Oct There are daily trips to the islands and out to see the wildlife and lighthouses. Boats leave from 10:15am and return until 4:45pm. The service is seven days a week from just before Easter or the beginning of April until the end of October. There are evening trips available through the main part of the season. There is an attractive special offer on purchases of ten or more tickets. We can cater for special groups and parties. Made up of the ten largest boats operating from St Mary's, we are the prime mover of visitor traffic. Read more » Toots Taxi St. Mary's All year We are a friendly and reliable taxi service based on St.

Mary’s, working seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. We have two vehicles available for hire, one carrying four passengers and one carrying six passengers. The larger vehicle has two integrated baby/booster seats so children can be transported safely and comfortably. We are available for a quick taxi trip to get you from A to B, as well as more leisurely tours of the island. We really look forward to being of service to you whilst you are on the islands. Read more » DJ Cabs St. Mary's All year Local, family run cab company operating around the islands for 5 years. Reliable, comfortable transport for short trips or late pick ups around St Mary's. Read more » Book a Bike St. Mary's All year Cycle around St Mary's in just a few hours and take in the stunning views from every point of the island. We will drop off and pick up cycles from your accommodation FREE OF CHARGE to save you time, so sit back and enjoy your holiday on the Isles of Scilly with BOOK A BIKE. COMING FOR A DAY TRIP? We can deliver to the airport or the quay.

Hire and delivery also available to the off islands on request (St Martin's, St Agnes, Tresco and Bryher). Read more » Calypso Boat Company St. Mary's Apr-Oct Boat trips from St Mary's with skipper Tim - visit 3 islands in one day, take a day trip to an off island or an unihabited island, or a trip to see seals and birds. Read more » Island Sea Safaris St. Mary's Apr-Oct Island Sea Safaris operate marine wildlife safaris in their 8m RIB FIREBRAND IV around and amongst the islands and rocks of Scilly to see Grey Atlantic seals, seabirds including Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots,Shearwaters,Fulmars,Cormorants,Shags and Various Gulls from April to mid July. and visit some of the Islands shipwreck sites. We also visit many places of historical interest on our tours. The 8 meter rib seats 10 passengers. Read more » Isles of Scilly Flowers St. Mary's All year Isles of Scilly Flowers offer scented Narcissi and Scilly Show Pinks Flowers from the Scilly Isles, the perfect all year round gifts for family and friends.

Our beautiful range of scented Scilly Flowers are freshly picked and posted from our own Family run Scillonain flower farm. Isles of Scilly Flowers make the perfect gift for every special occasion or person. We carefully hand pick your Scilly Flowers from our finest blooms to ensure the highest quality and perfection - so your Flowers from Scilly are truly spectacular. Read more » Chris Hall Photography St. Mary's All year Widely regarded as a contemporary photographer, Chris is well known for his creativity and visual storytelling. From fashion to unique weddings to beautiful family images, Chris brings out the best in any situation creating images you can treasure. Read more » Juliet's Garden Restaurant and Bar St. Mary's Mar-Nov Juliet's Garden is a well established, family run business which was created over 30 years ago on Seaways Farm, overlooking the harbour and seascape. Above Porthloo on St Mary's, its friendly atmosphere and fresh food have made it a great favourite with visitors and locals alike. Read more » 49 Degrees St. Mary's All year The IOS Store, born and bred on the islands since 1973. Visit us for all your IOS apparel Read more » Phoenix Craft Studios St.

Mary's All year The Phoenix Craft studios and workshops comprise seven individual craftspeople, many of whom will teach their skills to visitors. visitors can paint glass roundels, ceramic mugs and plates or fabric bags and tee-shirts. Beaded jewellery and silk scarf painting classes are open to all age groups too. Adults (over 14 years) also have the option of doing a three hour class in Tiffany glass, learning to to cut, copper-foil and solder coloured glass into a light-catcher to take home. Prices from £9.50 to £30. During Art Scilly Week in May each year, many more classes are laid on. Read more » Island Sea Safaris St. Mary's Apr-Oct Island Sea Safaris operate marine wildlife safaris in their 8m RIB FIREBRAND IV around and amongst the islands and rocks of Scilly to see Grey Atlantic Seals, seabirds including Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots from April until mid July, and some of the Island's shipwreck sites. We also visit many places of historical interest on our tours.

The 8 meter rib seats 10 and Mark and his wife Susie like to give you a full, friendly and informative commentary during the trip which also has plenty of good photo opportunities. Read more » Coasteer Scilly – with Kernow Coasteering St. Mary's Apr-Oct Coasteering on the Isles of Scilly has arrived! Brought to you by Kernow Coasteering, one of Cornwall’s foremost coasteering providers, Don’t miss your chance to experience the stunning golden granite coastline of Scilly in an epic costal adventure you’ll never forget. Read more » Stephen Morris at Glandore Gallery St. Mary's All year Located within their home at Porthloo, Glandore Gallery is a small, friendly, beachside gallery run by local artist, Stephen Morris, and his wife, Lois. Stephen paints exclusively ‘en plein air’ in watercolour and, more recently, inks, with a colourful and distinctive signature style. His cards and giclee prints are also available along with those of his late aunt, Nan Heath. Read more » St Mary's Bike Hire St. Mary's Jan-Dec The place to hire your bicycle on St Mary’s. Pedal power for all the family.

Bikes for all ages and sizes. Free helmets supplied . Follow the big yellow map and see St Mary’s at its best. Full recovery available if there's a problem. Workshop and spares service. Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 4 | All year | £345 - £695 per week One of three beautiful self-catering cottages situated on the historic Garrison. They are in an area of outstanding natural beauty, on the glorious island of St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 4 | All year | £750 - £1,305 per week Standing Stone and Standing Stone Terrace are two adjoining houses lovingly converted from late 19th Century buildings. They are set in a large, shared garden with some sunny corners for reading or sunbathing on loungers. Two miles from Hugh Town, they allow for a 40 minute meander round the coastal path, happily encountering Juliet's Garden Restaurant and Bar en route! Read more » Special offer Self Catering St.

Mary's Sleeps 4 | All year | £595 - £1,110 per week Modern duplex apartment right in the centre of Hugh Town offering light and airy accommodation. Ideal location for shops, beaches,restaurants and the quay for visits to the off islands. Perfect for couples sharing or families. Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 2 | May-Oct | £300 - £370 per week Situated at the North of St Marys, Morgelyn offers a peaceful retreat in comfortable surroundings with stunning views, historical sights and beaches nearby. McFarlands Down is a quiet, unmade road with 20 or so houses surrounded by fields and downland (Halangy Down) leading to Pendrathen, Bants Carn Ancient village and Burial Chambers and Bar Point. Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 4 | All year | £535 - £1,680 per week Harbourside, as its name suggests, is just that, with direct access down to the beach or even at high tide a swim off the steps!

Being only 100 metres from the quay this is an ideal location for those who want to be close to the harbour activities.l Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 4 | All year | £300 - £840 per week South facing views, centrally located in Hugh Town, this property has a large open plan lounge/diner and kitchen with one double and one bunkroom. Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 2 | Apr-Oct | £490 - £570 per week Set in an elevated position, Avoca Hoopers is a spacious ground floor apartment is the perfect place to relax and unwind. The accommodation comprises of a large living area that adjoins a galley kitchen which is equipped with all that is needed to enjoy a restful break. The double bedroom is furnished with zip and link beds that allow easy conversion to a twin room. Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Mar-Oct | £200 - £930 per week The recently refurbished accommodation benefits from lots of natural light and sleeps four guests in one double bedroom and one twin bedroom.

There is a compact but fully equipped and well-fitted modern kitchen, a bathroom and a panoramic lounge/dining room with breathtaking views that are arguably the best on St Mary’s and we guarantee you will not be disappointed with your outlook. Read more » Bed & Breakfast St. Mary's 1 Room | Apr-Oct | £40 - £40 pppn The Midas Suite comprises of three rooms; a spacious bedroom with large en suite shower room and conservatory with food station (equipped for making light snacks and picnics). The suite has a limestone floor with underfloor heating. There is an outside area with hammocks, seating and sunloungers and views across to the other islands and Lower Moors. Although close to town, the property is located off the main road so is quiet and peaceful. Read more » St Marys Island | Isles of Scilly | Self Catering Holidays | Sibleys Self catering holidays Contact us Holidays on Isles of Scilly: St Mary’s Island Largest of the islands and home to the tiny “capital”, Hugh Town, St Marys is the hub of island life and where all visitors to the islands first arrive.

Hugh Town, with its harbour, cluster of shops, restaurants, banks, Post Office, museum, churches and range of other businesses, is the commercial centre of Scilly, and your boarding point for trips to the off-islands. On the edge of Hugh Town you will find Porthmellon Beach, the home of water sports on St Marys. Here you will find the sailing school, kayak & boat hire business, and the gig sheds, from where the locals race twice a week in six-oared rowing boats against their off-island rivals. A fine island spectacle. Old Town, the ancient capital, is situated just a mile from Hugh Town by road, home to many locals and one of the island’s prettiest bays, with a choice of cafes overlooking the water. Large by our Lilliputian standards, St Marys still only has nine miles of road, which can be explored by various coach, minibus and vintage car tours, by horse and trap, or under your own steam by hire bike or golf cart. St Marys is perhaps the most varied of the islands, with woodland, heaths, marshland and sand dunes.

The island is criss-crossed with footpaths and nature trails, in addition to the stunning coastal path which circumnavigates the island. Favourite walks include a circumnavigation of the Garrison walls, a fortified area close to Hugh Town, centred on the historic 16th century Star Castle, now a hotel. Or a coastal trek around Peninnis Headland with its iconic Victorian lighthouse, picturesque overhanging Pulpit Rock and fabulous granite rock formations. To the north of the islands, at Halangy Down, you will find Bants Carn ancient village, dating from the Megalithic era; Innisidgen burial chamber; and beautiful Bar Point, with stunning views across to St Martins and Tresco. Carry on around to Pelistry Beach and Tolls Island, usually near-deserted, with a super cafe just five minutes walk away. Or to Porthellick Beach, with its famous “Loaded camel” rock formation. Main Photo: Richard Smith The Islands | Isles of Scilly Tresco Inclusive Travel Tresco All year Skybus fly all year round to St Mary’s from Land’s End and Newquay, and from Exeter between March and November.

If you are staying on Tresco, we recommend that you book your journey through the Island Office as our fares include all island transfers. Read more » Skybus St. Mary's All year Skybus fly all year round to the Isles of Scilly from Land’s End and Newquay airports, and from Exeter airport between March and November. Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, Steamship House, Quay Street, Penzance, TR18 4BZ. Read more » Scilly Parking UK Mainland Mar-Nov Make your daytrip easier, book your car in with Scilly Parking and have peace of mind. Scilly Parking take care of everything and provide secure car parking and a free park and ride service to Penzance Quay. Read more » Prepco Island Vacations and Tours LLC UK Mainland All year | From: 0.00 A US based travel company servicing the US and Canada for vacation packages to the Isles of Scilly, England. Our one-price complete package includes return flights for all domestic and international travel needs plus internal travel in England and accommodation. Options include travelling via Dublin or London. Read more » St.

Mary's All year | From: 0.00 The Personal Touch of Self Catering Holidays on the Isles of Scilly Read more » Scillonian III Passenger Ferry St. Mary's Mar-Nov Just 28 miles of the Cornish coast you will discover 5 islands, surrounded by azure waters, white beaches and a wonderful climate where sub–tropical plants thrive. Hop on board the Scillonian III, our recently refurbished ship and discover the Isles of Scilly. The Scillonian Passenger Ferry sets sail from Penzance harbour up to 7 days a week. Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, Steamship House, Quay Street, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4BZ. Read more » Classic Sailing Fleet - Tall Ships and Traditional Boats UK Mainland Apr-Sep Sail to Scilly from the mainland as ‘hands on’ crew on our fleet of pilot cutters, luggers, and historic sailing ships. Once in the archipelago, enjoy different anchorages, explore ashore and island hop under sail. Classic Sailing offer 6 or 7 day sailing holidays with a skipper as your guide.

We provide freshly cooked meals and accommodation on board characterful wooden vessels for a fantastic Scillies adventure. Read more » Scilly Parking UK Mainland Mar-Nov For Scillonian passengers avoiding long walks with your luggage. We take you to the quay and meet you on your return. We also take dogs. Read more » DJ Cabs St. Mary's All year Local, family run cab company operating around the islands for 5 years. Reliable, comfortable transport for short trips or late pick ups around St Mary's. Read more » Calypso Boat Company St. Mary's Apr-Oct Boat trips from St Mary's with skipper Tim - visit 3 islands in one day, take a day trip to an off island or an unihabited island, or a trip to see seals and birds. Read more » Falcon Boating St. Mary's All year Enjoy a special charter trip on the 'Falcon', an 11 metre Red Bay rib with twin engines and fully enclosed cabin to seat 12 passengers. Read more » Toots Taxi St. Mary's All year We are a friendly and reliable taxi service based on St. Mary’s, working seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.

We have two vehicles available for hire, one carrying four passengers and one carrying six passengers. The larger vehicle has two integrated baby/booster seats so children can be transported safely and comfortably. We are available for a quick taxi trip to get you from A to B, as well as more leisurely tours of the island. We really look forward to being of service to you whilst you are on the islands. Read more » Tresco Boat Services Tresco All year Tresco Boat Services, serving Tresco, Bryher and St Martin's, offer all the waterborne services you need to get the most from your visit to the Isles of Scilly. Read more » Island Sea Safaris St. Mary's Apr-Oct Island Sea Safaris operate marine wildlife safaris in their 8m RIB FIREBRAND IV around and amongst the islands and rocks of Scilly to see Grey Atlantic seals, seabirds including Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots,Shearwaters,Fulmars,Cormorants,Shags and Various Gulls from April to mid July. and visit some of the Islands shipwreck sites. We also visit many places of historical interest on our tours. The 8 meter rib seats 10 passengers.

Read more » St Mary's Bike Hire St. Mary's All year The place to hire your bicycle on St Mary’s. We provide a full range of bicycles and accessories to suit all ages and sizes. Pedal power for all the family. We provide a comprehensive service that lets you enjoy your stay here with peace of mind and all the time to follow the big yellow map and see St Mary’s at its best. Read more » The Scilly Cart Co St. Mary's The Scilly Cart Co is a family owned and run business providing electric vehicles for use across St. Mary’s. With flexible hiring options and easy to use carts, it’s a great way to discover the many varied and beautiful places on the island. It is also ideal for people with reduced mobility who wish to explore. Read more » Tregarthen's Hotel St. Mary's Mar-Oct Tregarthen's Hotel is the premier Isles of Scilly hotel, with the most stunning setting of any hotel on St Mary's. Right by the water's edge, Tregarthen's is just yards away from the quay. Our restaurant is the epitome of fine dining and the hotel is also the ultimate venue for your wedding reception, renewal of vows or civil ceremony.

Read more » Dibble & Grub St. Mary's Mar-Oct Dibble & Grub is a Mediterranean style Restaurant & Bar situated on Porthcressa Beach. Our bright and cosy dining room offers beautiful views over the bay, and our alfresco seating area enjoys sheltered sunshine. We pride ourselves on a relaxed atmosphere with attentive, friendly service. We are passionate about the quality of our ingredients, the creation of our products and quality of our service. Read more » Chris Hall Photography St. Mary's All year Widely regarded as a contemporary photographer, Chris is well known for his creativity and visual storytelling. From fashion to unique weddings to beautiful family images, Chris brings out the best in any situation creating images you can treasure. Read more » Island Sea Safaris St.

Mary's Apr-Oct Island Sea Safaris operate marine wildlife safaris in their RIB FIREBRAND IV around and amongst the islands and rocks of Scilly to see Grey Atlantic seals and numerous seabirds including Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Shearwares, Fulmars, Cormorants,Shags,Gannets and various Gulls from April to mid July, and visit some the Islands shipwreck sites and places of historical interest.The 8m RIB seats 10 passengers. Mark and his wife Susie like to give you a full, friendly and informative commentary during the trip which also has lots of good photo opportunities. Read more » Kaffeehaus Salbei St. Mary's Mar-Oct The Kaffeehaus is Isles of Scilly Country Guest House's own onsite and unique cafe. It was established in 2003 and specialises in Bavarian delicacies such as Apfelstrudel and fresh German Bread. As well as providing delicious homemade cakes and classic lunchtime dishes, we are licensed to sell alcohol. Read more » Juliet's Garden Restaurant and Bar St.

Mary's Mar-Nov Juliet's Garden is a well established, family run business which was created over 30 years ago on Seaways Farm, overlooking the harbour and seascape. Above Porthloo on St Mary's, its friendly atmosphere and fresh food have made it a great favourite with visitors and locals alike. Read more » Adventure Scilly St. Mary's All year Bryony offers flowing, uplifting yoga sessions; Nick is an experienced swim guide. Both Nick & Bryony are from Scilly and have extensive knowledge of swim spots and trail running routes across the islands, and can advise you on the best way to take an active holiday that will leave you feeling fully immersed in the beauty and nature of the islands. Read more » Veronica Farm Produce Bryher All year A farm stall selling fresh free range eggs, homemade jams, pickles and chutneys, dried and fresh herbs and a wide range of Scilly succulents. Read more » Scilly Flowers St. Martin's All year Scilly Flowers based at Churchtown Farm on St Martin’s is Scilly’s postal flower service. We send gift boxes of scented flowers to any UK address all year round.

In the winter we grow and send Scented Narcissi and in the summer, Scented Pinks. If you are on St Martin’s, pop into the farm and see what we do. Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 2 | All year | £375 - £625 per week A cottage, built in excess of 150 years ago, one of a row of typical fishermen's cottages situated very close to Porthcressa beach and centrally situated for the town's amenities. The cottage has been very tastefully renovated, attractively furnished and well equipped to provide accommodation of a high standard. One double bedroom. Wednesday changeover. Read more » Special offer Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 4 | All year | £600 - £2,600 per week A former gun emplacement in a unique, secluded location on the Garrison, Steval is the perfect hideaway with a private garden and panoramic sea views. The beautiful interior is equipped to the highest standards. Read more » Self Catering St.

Mary's Sleeps 6 | All year | £395 - £910 per week Bounty Ledge is a first floor maisonette with sea views which overlooks St Mary’s harbour out towards Tresco, Bryher and Samson. It is centrally located in Hugh Town, just 20 metres from Town beach, and one minute from the shops. There are 3 bedrooms, providing family accommodation for up to 6 persons. It is also very popular with couples who appreciate the spaciousness. Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 2 | Apr-Oct | £400 - £575 per week A light spacious flat for 2 people in a quiet position off the road, just a short level walk to the harbour and Porthcressa beach. Separate lounge, kitchen/diner, bathroom with electric shower. The bedroom has a double bed. Electricity, bed linen and towels are included. Friday changeover. Read more » Self Catering St. Martin's Sleeps 6 | Mar-Oct | £495 - £745 per week Connemara Farmhouse is close to the beach and is within a few hundred yards of the post office, shop, and acclaimed bakery.

Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 6 | Jan-Oct | £450 - £900 per week This light and airy, purpose-built second floor flat is well-appointed throughout and is a popular choice with families although it is equally suited to friends sharing. Sleeping up to six guests in one twin, one double and one bunk-bedded room. Read more » Self Catering St. Mary's Sleeps 2 | Apr-Oct | £385 - £540 per week This modern, well appointed ground floor flat sits at the top of the three-star rating and offers every comfort for a break at any time of the year (although we recommend early booking owing to its popularity). Rosevean was once a large Victorian house, now converted to four self-catering units which retain many original features.

Read more » The Scilly Islands The Scilly Islands Historic Buildings of The Isles of Scilly Top Surnames Jane Auterson (1807 - 1898) "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975" Name: Jane Duff Gender: Female Christening Date: 09 Nov 1807 Christening Place: SCILLY ISLANDS PARISH,CORNWALL,ENGLAND Birth Date: 26 Oct 1... David Auterson (c.1800 - 1867) 1851 Census Hugh Street, Scilly Isles St. Mary David Auterson HD M 51 Draper and Grocer born Ireland Jane Auterson WI M 43 Draper and Grocer born Cornwall, St. Mary Scilly Richard Duff Father... history The Isles of Scilly These islands form an archipelago off the southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula of Great Britain.

The group consists of 5 inhabited islands, 140 others Called by the Greeks Hesperides and Cassiterides Romans called them Sillinœ and Silurœ insulœ, Written in ancient records Sully or Sulley Cornish: Syllan or Enesek Syllan The name 'Scilly' comes from SULLY meaning the Sun Isles which describe its climate with an excellent sunshine record Capital city - Hugh Town People from the Scilly Islands are called - "Scillonian" is sometimes used for people or things related to the archipelago. Natural England have designated the Isles of Scilly as National Character Area 158 Language: It is not known when the islands' inhabitants stopped speaking the Cornish language, but the language declined in Cornwall in the Late Middle Ages; it was still dominant between the islands and Bodmin at the time of the Reformation, but declined quickly afterwards. The islands appear to have lost the old Celtic language before parts of Penwith on the mainland.

Famous for:- Area 16.03 Sq km2 (6.19 Sq mi) Places of Interest Bant’s Carn burial chamber and Halangy Down Bronze Age village Bronze Age tomb on Tregarthen Hill Tresco Cromwell's Castle Granite stacks of Shipman Head Innisidgen Burial Chambers Old Man of Gugh, an ancient standing stone Tresco Abbey Gardens St Mary's , (Cornish: An Nor) Holy Vale St Agnes , (Cornish: Pennpras) Gugh Another island of Samson was inhabited by one family in 1669; this had increased to six dwelling houses and 30 inhabitants in 1794. By 1829 there were 36 residents on Samson. In 1855, the last 10 residents were ordered to evacuate the island; the remains of their houses can still be seen. The Isles of Scilly are still part of the ceremonial county of Cornwall , and some services have been combined with those of Cornwall. Since 1890 the islands have had a separate local authority.

Since the passing of the Isles of Scilly Order 1930, this authority has had the status of a county council and today is known as the Council of the Isles of Scilly. The Duchy of Cornwall owns most of the freehold land on the islands. Tourism is a major part of the local economy, along with farming and agriculture. Genealogical Sources Auterson - David Auterson (Abt 1800 -1867) ~ricksmith61/scilly/gedcom/auterson.html Banfield Various ~ricksmith61/scilly/wc_toc.html History There were early trading connections with the Phœnicians and Romans and they were occasionally appropriated by the Romans as a place of banishment for state criminals. Timeline 10th Century The first mention of the Scilly islands in history is in the tenth century, when they were subdued by King Athelstan Olaf Tryggvason became King Olaf I of Norway in 995. Born c. 960, Olaf had raided various European cities and fought in several wars. In 986 he (supposedly) met a Christian seer on the Isles of Scilly.

In Snorri Sturluson's Royal Sagas of Norway, it is stated that this seer told him: Thou wilt become a renowned king, and do celebrated deeds. Many men wilt thou bring to faith and baptism, and both to thy own and others' good; and that thou mayst have no doubt of the truth of this answer, listen to these tokens. When thou comest to thy ships many of thy people will conspire against thee, and then a battle will follow in which many of thy men will fall, and thou wilt be wounded almost to death, and carried upon a shield to thy ship; yet after seven days thou shalt be well of thy wounds, and immediately thou shalt let thyself be baptised. 11th Century In or before the reign of Edward the Confessor , some of the islands, and their tithes, had been given to certain monks or hermits who lived in the island of St. Nicholas, now Trescaw. King Henry the First granted all the churches of Suliye to the abbot of Tavistock and the land which had belonged to the monks, or rather hermits, in the reign of King Edward, when Burgald was Bishop of Cornwall.

Pope Celestin, in 1193, confirmed to the abbey the islands of St. Nicholas, St. Sampson, St. Elid, and St. Teon, the island called Nullo, with all their churches and oratories, as well as certain lands in other islands. Reginald Earl of Cornwall granted all wrecks, except whole ships and whales, in Kentemen and Nurcho to the monks, and the isles of St. Lid, St. Sampson, and St. Teon. With the Norman Conquest, the Isles of Scilly came more under centralised control. At the time the Domesday survey was conducted - the islands would have formed part of the "Exeter Domesday" circuit, which included Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

---12th Century In the mid-12th century there was reportedly a Viking attack on the Isles of Scilly, called Syllingar by the Norse, recorded in the Orkneyinga saga— Sweyn Asleifsson "went south, under Ireland, and seized a barge belonging to some monks in Syllingar and plundered it."[1] (Chap LXXIII) "...the three chiefs—Swein , Þorbjörn and Eirik—went out on a plundering expedition. They went first to the Suðreyar [Hebrides], and all along the west to the Syllingar, where they gained a great victory in Maríuhöfn on Columba's-mass [9 June], and took much booty. Then they returned to the Orkneys." It is generally considered that Cornwall, and possibly the Isles of Scilly, came under the dominion of the English Crown late in the reign of Athelstan. In early times one group of islands was in the possession of a confederacy of hermits.

King Henry I gave it to the abbey of Tavistock who established a priory on Tresco, which was abolished at the Reformation. 13th Century The first proprietor mentioned as holding under the Earl, is Robert de Wick, who, by an ancient deed, without date, conveys to the monks of Scilly the tithes of those islands, which he had unjustly detained from them. Drugo de Barentin was governor of the Scilly islands, in the reign of Henry III but it isn't known whether he had any property in theIslands. In the reign of Edward I Ralph de Blanchminster held the castle of Ennor, in the Scilly islands, by the service of finding 12 armed men to keep the peace in those islands: complaint was made that he had not only failed in this service, but had committed the King's coroner, who came to the island for the purpose of holding an assize, to the prison of La Val. 14th Century In 1314, Ralph de Blanchminster had the King's licence for embattling his castle of Inor, in the isles of Scilly.

In 1345, Ralph de Blanchminster held the isles of Scilly under the duchy of Cornwall, as of the honor of Launceston, by the annual render of 300 puffins at Michaelmas. 1305 - William le Poer, coroner of Scilly, is recorded as being worried about the extent of wrecking in the islands, and sent a petition to the King. The names provide a wide variety of origins, e.g. Robert and Henry Sage (English), Richard de Tregenestre (Cornish), Ace de Veldre (French), Davy Gogch (possibly Welsh, or Cornish), and Adam le Fuiz Yaldicz (Spanish?). 15th Century In the reign of Henry VI , the rent was only 50 puffins, or 6s. 8d. The islands were then the property of Sir John Coleshill, representative of the Blanchminsters: their annual value in 1484 was estimated at 40s. in time of peace. 16th Century Sir Francis Godolphin received a lease on the Isles in 1568.

The Scilly islands belonged to Davers and Whittington, a branch of the Arundells which inherited the estates of the Coleshills and Blanchminsters. In the reign of Edward VI. , Thomas Lord Seymour , the Lord Admiral, became proprietor of the Scilly islands. One accusation charges him with having gained the isles, "bought of divers men, (viz. the heirs of Danvers and Whittington". The Lord Admiral was beheaded and attainted in 1549, when the temporal property of the Scilly islands fell into the duchy. 17th Century During the English Civil War, the Parliamentarians captured the isles; their garrison mutinied and returned the isles to the Royalists. In 1645 they provided a temporary protection to Prince Charles and his friends, Lord Hopton and Lord Cape. In 1649, Sir John Grenville fortified and held them for King Charles the Second. By 1651 Sir John Grenville , the Royalist governor, was using the islands as a base for privateering raids on Commonwealth and Dutch shipping.

The Dutch admiral Maarten Tromp sailed to the isles, arriving on 30 May 1651 and demanded compensation. As there was no compensation or satisfactory reply he declared war on England in June. It was during this period that the Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War started between the isles and the Netherlands. In June 1651, Admiral Robert Blake recaptured the isles for the Parliamentarians. At first Blake's attack on Old Grimsby failed, but the subsequently was more successful, taking Tresco and Bryher. Grenville and Blake negotiated terms that permitted the Royalists to surrender honourably. The Parliamentary forces then fortified the islands. They built Cromwell's Castle — now referred to as King Charles's Castle . 18th Century On the night of 22 October 1707 a naval disaster took place when out of a fleet of 21 Royal Navy ships commanded by Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell , six were driven onto the cliffs. Four of the ships capsized, with at least 1,450 dead, including the admiral, who was murdered by robbers on the beach. The probable cause was poor navigation.

19th Century In 1834 Augustus John Smith acquired the lease from the Duchy for £20,000. He set about changing the islanders' way of life, expelling those who could not find a job locally and evicting some of the inhabitants of smaller islands, in a manner similar to that practised in the Scottish clearances. In 1855, he expelled the ten inhabitants of Samson, in order to turn the island into a deer park (the deer did not like the habitat, and escaped). Smith created the quasi-aristocratic title Lord Proprietor for himself, and many of his actions were unpopular. Besides building a new quay at Hugh Town on St. Mary's, he sowed gorse and trees to provide shelter for the agricultural land. He built schools on the well-inhabited islands. Governors of Scilly An early governor of Scilly was Thomas Godolphin , whose son Francis received a lease on the Isles in 1568. They were styled Governors of Scilly and the Godolphins and their Osborne relatives held this position until 1834.

In 1834 Augustus John Smith acquired the lease from the Duchy for £20,000. Smith created the title Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly for himself, and many of his actions were unpopular. The lease remained in his family until it expired for most of the Isles in 1920 when ownership reverted to the Duchy of Cornwall. Today, the Dorrien-Smith estate still holds the lease for the island of Tresco. 1918–1920 Arthur Algernon Dorrien-Smith (1876-1955) To participate in any project - you do need to first be a collaborator - so join the project. See the discussion Project Help: How to add Text to a Project - Starter Kit to get you going! How to Participate If you have any queries please start a discussion linked to this project. (See the menu top right). Please add related projects to the menu on the right. If you have links to related web pages that would be of interest to others please add them in the relevant section at the bottom of the page. In order to do this use the drop down menu at the top left of the screen and Join the Project.

If this option is not available to you then contact a collaborator and ask to be added to the project. As a collaborator you will be able to edit this page. Add any documents of interest using the menu at the top right of the page, and then add a link to the document in the text under the heading below. If you do not know how to do this please contact one of the other collaborators to assist you. Notes [1] Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) Orkneyinga saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9 References Isles of Scilly: an essential guide and map Isles of Scilly, Travel by boat or plane Why visit the Isles of Scilly? Nestling just 35 miles off the coast of Cornwall, these islands are like nowhere else in England. Outstandingly beautiful, uncrowded and unspoilt, they seem like a world apart from everyday life.

Arrive by small plane from Exeter, Newquay or Land’s End or by the passenger ferry Scillonian lll from Penzance. This cluster of low-lying islands lie amid a turquoise lagoon, some fringed by rocks, others by white sandy beaches, and all bathed in a light of wonderful intensity. There are five inhabited islands, and throughout the day fleets of colourful launches ferry people to and fro. Each of the islands has a distinct identity and special character. St. Mary’s –the largest island, but less than 2.5 square miles. It's the central hub with a number of excellent pubs and a cluster of shops as well as the health centre, two banks, the Post Office and a remarkable museum of island life. There are only 6 miles of roads but over 30 miles of paths and nature trails. The capital, Hugh Town, lies between two sandy beaches, one side being the main harbour. The Tourist Information Centre can be found at the top of Porthcressa beach. St.

Agnes – is the last bit of England before you reach America and probably a separate island for over 1,000 years; the water which separates it from the other islands is much deeper than that which laps their beaches so it’s always been out on its own and has probably seen more shipwrecks too. Bryher - on some days this little island can be almost frighteningly bleak as waves, having gathered momentum for 2,000 miles, smash into Hell Bay, and then the next day it can be almost achingly beautiful and calm. There is a stark contrast between the west side and the much softer east side which faces across the sheltered Channel to neighbouring Tresco. Sometimes you can even walk between the two islands on very low tides. Tresco – is one of the unique places of the world and recently placed amongst the Top Ten Islands in the world by National Geographic Magazine. It owes this status to its quite remarkable flora to be found in every hedgerow but which is all brought together in the world famous Abbey Garden. Nearly 200 people live here and run the place. St Martin’s – arguably the most picturesque of all the islands with glorious sweeping beaches adorning the edges of its crescent shape .

A little like Bryher it, too, has a rugged weather beaten side to the north east and a much gentler, sheltered side to the south and west. In the distance the Eastern Isles sit like a shimmering necklace low in the water – a favourite haunt of seals which you can swim and snorkel amongst.

You'll find: More than 35 sandy beaches Watch the abundant wildlife with a snorkelling safari - basking sharks, seals, dolphins and sea birds Fantastic watersports - windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, kite-surfing Boat trips to watch wildlife on the uninhabited islands Savour fresh seafood and local ales Go beachcombing on a deserted beach Explore the island trails by foot or hire a bike Watch gig rowing (Wednesday and Friday evenings in the summer months are best) Ride horseback along the beaches and through the shallows Enjoy a guided walk and find out the low-down on the islands history and archeaeology Explore the museum on St Marys and the tales of shipwrecks and piracy Isles of Scilly links Isles of Scilly holiday guide: what to do, plus the best beaches, restaurants and hotels | Travel | The Guardian Isles of Scilly holidays Isles of Scilly holiday guide: what to do, plus the best beaches, restaurants and hotels Azure seas, sub-tropical gardens and white sand beaches and just 15 minutes from Cornwall … Gavin McOwan on the Isles of Scilly’s top places to eat, sleep and enjoy Great Bay beach on St Martins, one of the Isles of Scilly.

Photograph: Alamy Saturday 6 June 2015 02.00 EDT Last modified on Tuesday 20 September 2016 07.07 EDT Share on Messenger Close Few place names are as definitive as Land’s End, but the sliver of Britain that crashes into the Atlantic at the tip of Cornwall was only the starting point for my trip to the Isles of Scilly, a journey that felt like an adventure in itself. Mine started on the overnight sleeper from London to Penzance, before I boarded a 16-seater twin-engine aircraft at Land’s End airport. The plane was so small I could have leaned forward and touched the pilot’s shoulder. Ten minutes later, the archipelago’s Caribbean-like blue waters were glistening below us. When you arrive in the Scillies from the mainland, it feels like you’ve journeyed back in time. It is so isolated and small – with a population of just 2,200 on five inhabited islands – that the sense of community is very strong, but also very welcoming.

And it’s so safe (a recent job advert for a constable on “possibly the most enviable policing post in the UK or even the world” went viral) that no one locks their doors and kids can run wild across the islands like Enid Blyton characters. The current Radio 4 comedy On the Rocks pokes gentle fun at island life in 1937, but there’s much that still feels retro today – even the wildlife. Birds whose populations are dwindling on mainland Britain – starlings, sparrows, swallows, blackbirds and song thrushes – don’t just flit all around in the Scillies; some eat out of your hand and perch on pub garden tables to peck at crumbs. And red squirrels (they’ve never had the grey invaders here, nor many other mainland mammals) have been successfully introduced to the Abbey Gardens on Tresco. Another link with the past is the Cornish gigs, the early lifeboats that once rowed out to pilot ships or rescue the survivors from the hundreds of vessels that have been wrecked in these rock-infested waters. Now, gig racing on the open seas is the “national sport” and intrinsic to the Scillonian identity.

Catch a race if you can – and then join the boaters for the inevitable raucous night in the pub that follows. Pinterest Gig racing is the Scillies’ ‘national sport’ The rhythm of the day is dictated by the timetables of small ferries that join the islands, and these in turn are dictated by the tides. The easiest way to discover the Scillies is to take a morning boat and spend the day island-hopping (return fares from £8.60, circular trips from £13, kids half price). Journey times and distances are short, so wherever you are you can usually see the other islands, which adds to the intimacy of the place. As for the beaches, there are so many gorgeous ones there isn’t space to mention them all here. You are rarely more than 10 minutes’ walk (and often far less) from one of the finest beaches in the UK – and there’s a good chance you’ll have it all to yourself. Just one word of warning: while the Scillies offer all the romance of visiting a foreign land, the cost of getting here and of some of the accommodation means it can also be as expensive as holidaying abroad.

On the plus side, there is little tat and no brash “attractions” to waste your money on, and camping and taking the ferry rather than the plane will make it affordable. The costs of eating and drinking are roughly the same as on the mainland. Many families return year after year, and have a deep connection with islands. St Mary’s Pinterest Hugh Town is the ‘capital’ of the Scillies and the main harbour. Photograph: Rob Lea St Mary’s is every visitors’ first stop: it’s where all planes and the daily boat from the mainland arrive. It is the largest island, and home to 80% of Scillonians, but I still managed to cycle around it in four hours (£12.50 a day, bookabikeonscilly.co.uk ), including stops at the iron age and Romano-British settlements at Bant’s Carn and Halangy Down, and the bronze age burial tombs at Innisidgen. Scilly has a greater concentration of historical sites than anywhere else in Britain.

I also stopped off at the Old Church in Old Town to see the grave of former prime minister Harold Wilson, who loved Scilly and visited every summer (Lady Wilson, now 99, still does). The grave is modest (though, interestingly was the only one in the cemetery with posh, fresh flowers), but not nearly as modest as his nearby summer house, which is inconceivably tiny for a prime ministerial residence . On the way back to Hugh Town, “capital” of the Scillies, I stopped for lunch at Juliet’s Garden . To my mind there are few pleasures to beat eating fresh seafood with a glass of crisp white wine in the sun with a view of the sea, and Scilly was made for this. Juliet’s Garden overlooks a rocky outcrop, boats in the harbour and, beyond, the islands of Tresco and uninhabited Samson. Caught-this-morning crab is a speciality, and a perfect match for the excellent house white (Cépage Colombard Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne), which, unusually, is not the cheapest on the wine list – and it shows.

Pinterest Spero’s cafe on Porthmellon beach Going one better, in terms of proximity to the water if not views, is Spero’s, a cafe in a wooden boathouse right on the sand at lovely Porthmellon beach. A sample crab and prawn cocktail hit the spot, though I imagine almost anything would taste good in a setting like this. On the other side of Hugh Town is The Star Castle (£102pp half-board, star-castle.co.uk ), the Scillies’ grandest hotel. In the form of an eight-pointed star on a rocky peninsula, it was originally a fortress built as defence against the Spanish Armada and the pirates who frequently sacked the islands. There are a few rooms in the castle – including cosy singles in the four converted guard rooms on the ramparts – and spacious modern garden rooms in the grounds. The hotel has two restaurants, one in the castle, the other in a conservatory built around an old vine that trails across the ceiling. The latter is the place for a blowout: its sublime four-course seafood menu (£39.50) was not only the best thing I ate on this trip, it’s the best thing I’ve eaten this year.

Pinterest Holy Vale vineyard Photograph: Jerzy Bin Owner Robert Francis spends his mornings fishing and catching lobsters to serve in the restaurants, and hopes diners will soon be drinking his wine, too. Six years ago he planted 7,000 pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris vines at Holy Vale (tastings £17.50pp) in the centre of the island. This is Britain’s most southerly vineyard and its first wine, about 3,000 litres, is being bottled right now. At the moment his entertaining tasting sessions (with not a hint of oenological snobbery) focus on his favourites from around the world but, fingers crossed, visitors will soon be sampling local whites, too. No less ambitious a venture, in its own way, is Peninnis Farm Luxury Camping (“tents” sleep six, from £535 a week). To call this a glamping site undersells it: picture a field dotted with seven comfortable, tastefully designed three-bedroom holiday homes – only with walls and ceilings of canvas.

It’s a very green project, offering state-of-the art biomass heating, an “honesty freezer” of pork and sausages from the farm’s pigs, and a picnic field looking down to the sea. I stayed in the Atlantic (doubles £80 B&B), a traditional seaside hotel whose rooms, restaurant and terrace overlook Hugh Town’s pretty harbour. There is also a campsite on the Garrison (from £9pp), next to the Star Castle; and Sibleys has a range of self-catering properties across all the islands. St Agnes Pinterest The Turk’s Head pub, in the centre of the picture, overlooks St Agnes’ quay I enjoyed St Mary’s but the moment I got off the boat at St Agnes (population 73), the “big island” felt like mainland Cornwall in comparison. On St Agnes’s quiet quay, 15 minutes by boat from St Mary’s, sits a lovely old pub, the Turk’s Head, and there may be a golf buggy to carry bags and visitors on the narrow “road” (more of wide path really) to the far end of the island.

We walked it and in 10 minutes were at Troytown Farm Campsite (£9 adults, £5 kids, tents from £2). This is the real Land’s End, as those camping here are, temporarily, the UK’s most south-westerly inhabitants. It’s a beautifully isolated spot right on the water’s edge, with its own small sandy beach and views of a few small craggy islands. There are five bell tents each sleeping four, equipped with airbeds, stoves and camping furniture (from £320 a week) and two comfortable two-bedroom cabins, one sleeping four, the other five (from £630 a week). Pinterest Troytown Farm campsite, the ‘real Land’s End’. Photograph: Alamy Even if you’re not a camper, it’s worth the journey to Troytown for the farm’s ice-cream, made with milk from its own small herd. All the flavours are delicious (I loved the four berries sorbet) but the rose geranium – made with flowers from the next-door farm and tasting like a creamy Turkish delight – is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. I can’t believe it’s not being entered for competitions, never mind only being sold on Scilly.

Coastguards Cafe , in the centre of the island has a flower garden, more fantastic ocean views and serves the island’s seafood staples: fresh crab sandwiches and smoked mackerel paté. Two or more evenings a week the cafe becomes the highly regarded High Tide (three-course dinner around £30), run by Kiwi chef Mark Eberlein. Tresco Pinterest ‘Kew with the roof off’ … Tresco Abbey Gardens. Photograph: Alamy Tresco is home to the Abbey Gardens (£12, kids free, open daily 10am-4pm), the Scillies’ biggest single attraction and one of the most magnificent gardens in the UK, or indeed anywhere. The proximity of the Gulf Stream means mild, frost-free winters that allow sub-tropical plants to thrive – the gardens were famously described by novelist Walter Besant as “Kew with the roof off”. It is ablaze with exotic flowering succulents in yellow, pink, red, purple and blues, plus towering palm trees, from 80 countries, as far afield as Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa.

Don’t miss the Valhalla collection of 30 ships’ figureheads, all rescued from the sailing ships that perished on the rocky archipelago over the centuries. The carved wooden figures are worthy of a small museum of their own. Pinterest The view from Tresco’s King Charles’s Castle over Cromwell’s Castle to Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited islands The gardens were created by Augustus John Smith, who bought the lease to Tresco from the Duchy of Cornwall in 1834. Tresco is still privately owned – today by Robert Dorrien-Smith, a descendent of Augustus – and as a result feels very different from the other four inhabited islands. It is a little too manicured for my tastes, a sleek, well-oiled operation that attracts higher-end tourists. Many of these love the place so much they return year after year, often to the same cottage (many of them are timeshares).

It doesn’t feel staid though, and some of the newer cottages, such as the Flying Boat Cottages (sleeping 10, from £1,475 a week in low season, but a whopping £5,250 in high summer) and Sea Gardens (sleeping six to 10, from £1,615 a week rising to £6,550, plus one-bedroom cottages from £300 a night) are bang on trend, with a breezy New England feel, all off-whites, pale blues and greens, smart whicker furniture and original, well-chosen artwork. Sea Gardens cottages The cheapest option is the New Inn (£55pp B&B), where I stayed, which has simple, all-white twins and doubles above a pub that does good food and has a decent selection of Cornish beers. Despite the island’s exclusive nature, the New Inn still feels like a proper, lively pub, particularly later in the evening when the island’s army of young seasonal workers congregate and wake the place up. They all seem very happy on Tresco, too. “It’s a bit Dirty Dancing up in the staff quarters,” one of them told me with a wink.

If the middle of Tresco feels like a well-heeled holiday camp, with people zipping around in golf buggies, the northern, heather-covered end of the island is wild, bleak and wonderfully empty. A walk up to the ruins of two forts, King Charles’s Castle and Cromwell’s Castle, built in the mid-17th century in case of a French invasion, gives a real sense of the islands’ history. St Martin’s Pinterest St Martin’s is renowned for its beaches. Photograph: Alamy Even by Scillonian standards, the beaches on St Martin’s (population 142) are spectacular, and often listed as among the best in the UK. Scilly Seal Snorkelling (£44pp for a three-hour trip including wetsuit hire), based in a shed at the end of Par beach, took me out to the Eastern Isles to bob around with the seals for an hour. The seals aren’t fed or encouraged to interact with humans; they are just naturally curious and playful. One nibbled at my flippers, and another did a double somersault while fixing me with a “Let’s see you try this, landlubber” gaze.

Everyone I met on St Martin’s was happy about the recent arrival of Dom and Emily, the new owners of Sevenstones Inn , the island’s social hub. They have completely gutted and revamped the interior, though no work needed to be done on the garden, which may well have the best views – across the blue sea to the other islands – of any pub garden in the country. Post-snorkelling, I sank a couple of well-kept pints of Sharp’s Atlantic pale ale and ate delicious potted crab (the doorstop meet sandwich of ham, salami, mozarella, pesto and salad looked pretty inviting, too). The jury is still out on another, very different, arrival to the island: the swanky Karma Resort (doubles from £175 B&B), whose other outposts are in exotic places such as Jaipur and Bali. The location, smack bang on the beach, is unbeatable, but I thought it lacked atmosphere, perhaps because it is still awaiting a container of fittings and furnishings from Bali to complete its transformation from a hotel built to look like a row of Cornish cottages to the luxury resort it aspires to be.

Pinterest Snorkelling with seals off St Martin’s Two excellent features in the hotel bar caught my eye, though: the first was an Italian Enomatic wine vending machine containing 10 bottles of high-end wine for sale by the glass or even mouthful. Next to this is a turntable and stack of old vinyl. Who doesn’t like acting the DJ after a few glasses of wine? At the other end of the scale, is St Martin’s campsite (from £10pp) which is well sheltered, sitting in a dip below the sand dunes and shielded by the sort of tall hedges that can be seen all over the islands to protect its flower farms – once a big, but now declining, industry here. Nearby is the workshop of Fay Page and her partner Rob, who make beautiful silver jewellery. The handmade items – shells, fish, flowers, tiny boats, Scilly cowbells – are all inspired by the local surroundings and have a lovely, tactile texture. Alas, I didn’t make it to Adam’s fish and chip shop (it only opens twice a week in low and mid-season) but I’ve heard such good things about it I can’t not include it here.

Two years ago Guardian reader intheglen wrote: “Adam is a fisherman and catches the pollack by line (in a boat he built himself) during the day, then fries them (in a restaurant he built himself) in the evening. The fish comes with chips from organic potatoes grown by Adam’s brothers … Ventures like this will help keep Scilly going.” Bryher Pinterest Walking from Tresco to Bryher at low tide Bryher (population 92) is perhaps the most beautiful of the isles. Its west side is truly wild (next stop Newfoundland), and the crashing rollers and jagged rocks of Hell Bay were a notorious spot for shipwrecks. It is home to one of Scilly’s classiest hotel-restaurants, the Hell Bay Hotel (from £120pp half-board or £85 B&B), which is run by the owner of Tresco and is designed along the same bright and airy line as properties on the neighbouring island. My spacious sea-facing room had floor-to-ceiling windows which opened on to a small private garden with views over two rocky bays and a lagoon.

The Crab Shack opened in the hotel grounds last year and is a must for seafood lovers, at least ones who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. You choose a crab (ranging from enormous at £20 to “I’m gonna need a bigger table” at £40) and a flavoured butter to slather it in, and are given an apron and a pair of crab crackers. I spent a good hour coaxing every morsel out of mine. The crabs are supplied by the Penders family, who have been fishing here for over 200 years. This year they have set up Island Fish , a shop/supplier selling seafood straight from the boat, and also dressed crab, lobster baps, salads and lasagne, fish pie and crab quiche. Pinterest Sea-view room at the Hell Bay Hotel Next door is the friendly Vine Cafe, serving sandwiches, homemade cakes and cream teas in a former bulb shed. Two or three times a week owner Cath cooks a set three-course dinner (booking essential). I missed this, but she cooked steak and kidney pie, her signature dish, to “sample”, as I’d already eaten lunch. It was so good I polished off the lot.

It felt like half the island was gathered at the Fraggle Rock Bar and Café for Friday night fish and chips. I ordered mine but had to wait an hour – enough time to work up an appetite by walking the coastal path round the wild, north end of the island. Bryher Campsite (£10.25pp) is up this end, too. Bennett Boatyard hires out kayaks, motor and sailing boats to explore Bryher’s hidden beaches and neighbouring islands. As well as being fun, this is a sensible option in summer when the islands are busy and there can be queues for the ferries. A good place to head when it rains is the island’s community centre, which typifies the trust and openness I found everywhere in the Scillies. There’s no one there to run it but anyone can go in and, for a £1 donation, browse the old photographs and library, and play on the pool and ping-pong tables, or in the small children’s playground outside. • The trip was provided by visitislesofscilly.com .

The sleeper train from London to Penzance with firstgreatwestern.co.uk costs from £35 sharing or £60 single berth, one-way; non-sleeper from £23.50. All transport to Scilly can be booked at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk . One-way flights to St Mary’s start at £70 from Land’s End (15 mins), £95 from Newquay (30 mins)and £135 from Exeter (60 mins). The Scillonian III sails from Penzance to St Mary’s from March to November, up to seven days a week, from £43 one-way Is this England's Best Kept Secret? The Isles of Scilly Written by Kirstie Is this England’s Best Kept Secret? The Isles of Scilly Have you heard of the Isles of Scilly? Can you point them out on a map? On a week long trip to the rocky archipelago that lies off the coast of Cornwall, I wondered if they could be one of the UKs’ best kept secrets. As a first time visitor and a parent of thoroughly modern kids who hate being unplugged, I was beguiled.

And what’s more, so were they.. A bicycle pootles down a quiet lane, past the sign for an ancient burial ground where spirits are at one with the moon and the tide. An electric golf cart whirrs down a hill, containing five hungry tourists on their way to lunch in a sea front café where the sky meets the sea. This is England. But not as we know it. Panorama of Hugh Town, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly Have you heard of the Isles of Scilly? The Isles of Scilly . Do you know where they are? And I’m not talking about Sicily. Despite the marketing on the mainland, plenty of people are still unaware of the quiet pleasures of island life just a few miles from the packed surf resorts of Devon and Cornwall. Scilly locals find it hard to understand why more English people don’t embrace the paradise on their doorstep. “Many Cornish people have never been across to visit,” says Dave the lobster fisherman, mending his nets for the start of the summer season. Our hotel staff joke that some of their acquaintances in Devon haven’t even heard of the islands. Well I’m not going to fill them in about it when I next pass through Exeter.

Although tourism is vital to the island economy (second only to flower growing), part of the joy of visiting Scilly is the lack of crowds. Part of the charm is wandering down a deserted high street as the early morning light throws a sunburst over your shoulder. Compared to packed Newquay on the mainland, the five inhabited outcrops might as well be desert islands. And as for the 130+ uninhabited islands; well they are one long picnic on an endlessly empty beach. A child runs through a neat field of narcissi. Another makes a heart on the beach out of readily available shells. A boatman wades through the shallows in wellies that match the sun. A motorboat roars into action to catch the tide before it plays hide and seek down the bay. This is England. But not as we know it. A day sailing boat drops anchor on the unihabited isle of Samson, Isles of Scilly The local bus is a SkyBus If you are still in any doubt, the Isles of Scilly are 28 miles off the southwest tip of Cornwall. You can get there on a ferry, or fly in under half an hour from Land’s End or Newquay.

And contrary to what you might think, the flight isn’t an extra faff. It’s all part of the fun of stepping forward into yesterday. Our Skybus is a small Twin Otter plane and carries just 15 passengers. All aboard the Skybus, at Lands End Airport. Getting there is travel as it used to be The Skybus ride is spectacular. There’s a real excitement flying from a little aerodrome, taking off in a tiny plane. It’s romantic; how flying used to be. The co-pilot hangs his jacket on the seat in front of me, briefs me personally on emergency exits. I sit a foot or two away from the pilot and watch him steer us into the sky. I am hypnotised by the propeller churning the air over a patchwork sea. I look down on the gently moving shadow of the plane as it weaves away from the mainland over rocky bays and down towards a small airfield at the top of a yellow gorse hill. Welcome to Scilly. A dog sits on a chair in the high street, outside a neat terraced house, basking in the sun. Another sits in the front seat of the doctor’s van, looking poised to start the engine.

Sea birds cackle and soar, and an ‘off island’ group of visitors are getting up close with seals. This is England. But not as we know it. Bus stop ahead. Arriving in the Isles of Scilly on the SkyBus A city that’s not so big Michel, our shuttle driver, charmingly calls Hugh Town a city. It is clearly not the Big Apple, but it is as sweet as apple pie. Hugh Town is the main hub on St Mary’s, the biggest and most populated of the islands. There are fewer people living here than in our small village back home. Yet it offers so much more. Vibrant cafes, imaginative gift shops, a town hall and a clutch of pubs selling cloudy cider and freshly caught crab and fish. St Mary’s is where tourists touch down before transfer to the ‘off islands’ by boat. Its harbour is the launch pad for day trips to settlements on Tresco, St Agnes, Bryher and St Martins, and to other uninhabited islands, weather and tide permitting. Today the cafes are opening again for the summer season. People are coming out of hibernation and meeting and greeting each other.

In winter the islands have just over 2000 inhabitants; in summer numbers can swell to over 6000. Yet the tourists always disperse. Not by car. Only locals are permitted cars on St Mary’s. Visitors travel around this island and others by foot, bike, golf cart and shuttle bus. It creates an old fashioned sense of wellbeing. An unfamiliar feeling of safety. I believe that if I send my child out with a bicycle and a fishing net they’d come back some time, possibly some days later, with dinner. A dog digs for treasure in the sand opposite the old dairy café. Mick, the café owner loads his van for the day’s deliveries. A family lick ice creams on one of the many benches that line the harbour. They watch boats bob up and down on the water as someone launches a kite. The ferry arrives in a wash of white. This is England, but not as we know it. Dog sits out in rush hour in Hugh Town, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly First steps on Scilly St Mary’s is our base for our week of adventures.

We make our way up a tiny back street, with its own bell tower, to Tregarthen’s Hotel where tourism began on the islands in the 1850’s. Frank Tregarthen, Captain of the steam packet Ariadne, regularly invited passengers to stay in his home after trips to Penzance, and effectively turned the building into St Mary’s first hotel. Today it has 33 bedrooms and stands on sentry over the bay, keeping an eye on the maritime heritage. There are many reasons to stay in Tregarthen’s and one of these is the exceptional food. (The chef is the son of the town’s former butcher and grew up learning how to make the bread that the shop sold.) But the real draw is the service it offer to families. The sun comes up on Tregarthen’s Hotel, seen from the Hugh Town harbour, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly An extra mile Receptionist Kelly has a full time job with our itinerary alone. And it starts even before our arrival when flights are cancelled due to a storm and Tregarthen’s staff sort rooms near the airport for five of us at an hour’s notice.

“We always try and go that extra mile for our guests,” says Tregarthen’s General Manager Carina Luscombe. “People might find the idea of doing the Isles of Scilly a bit daunting, with all the travel involved in getting around. But we can sort out all your travel for you.” And they do. We leave Kelly buried under a mountain of logistics and head for the hilltop Garrison. This camera friendly fortification with views to forever holds a huge chunk of the history of the island within its walls. If we want to discover the life and rhythms of the UK’s best kept secret, it seems as good a place to start as any. Daffodil on The Garrison, Isles of Scilly Practical Information Getting there Skybus is the fastest way to get to the Isles of Scilly. It’s a great part of the island experience, flying in small planes at about 1000 feet with incredible views. Skybus fly from Lands End, Newquay and, in season, Exeter. Flights take from 15 minutes (ex Lands End) and you are advised to check in one hour before your scheduled flight time, as your flight may leave (as ours did) as soon as everyone has arrived!

You are allowed 15 kilos of baggage free of charge per person (except on day trips) and there are severe restrictions on the size of your hand luggage given the size of the planes. Getting through the airports at Lands End and St Mary’s is a pleasant experience as they are small, modern with nice coffee shops. The Twin Otter planes hold 19 people and can provide a dog box for your pet. The Islander planes hold up to 8 people. Transfer buses will take you, your pet and kids from the airport to different locations on St Mary’s for a small charge or to the port for off island transfers. We paid £25 for the whole family for a return transfer. We also paid a £50 charge for parking in the airport car park at Lands End for a week. If you prefer not to fly, the Scillonian III passenger ferry runs daily from Penzance. Crossings can be rough but you may spot dolphins. You can also get a fly out, return by sea ticket to experience the best of both worlds. Both the Scillonian and Skybus services are, of course, weather dependent.

Staying there There are lots of accommodation options on the Isles of Scilly to suit different budgets and interests, from camping to guest houses, self catering rentals to flexible catered rentals, simple hotels to full service hotels, both in town and scattered around island locations. The tourist board site, Visit Isles of Scilly , can help with finding suitable accommodation. We stayed on St Mary’s at the Tregarthen’s Hotel , close to the Hugh Town port, convenient for island hopping and ‘city’ services. Tregarthens welcome families and multigenerational groups, offer great advice on local services and attractions and work hard to tailor and arrange activities to suit your needs and interests. Their food was great and the superfast broadband proved very popular with the kids too. Heading around town in a Scilly golf cart. Disclosure Note: We visited the Isles of Scilly in a collaboration with The Islands Partnership. Tregarthen’s Hotel and Skybus helped with accommodation and transport for our stay on the Isles of Scilly while we funded most of our own activities and adventures. All the views, opinions, experience and photography are, as ever, all entirely our own.

Question: What is the capital of The Scilly Isles?
Answer: Hugh Town