BEST OF 2020 The One of Cornwall’s many advantages is its close proximity to one of the UK’s most picturesque collection of islands – the Isles of Scilly.

Situated approximately 30 miles off the Cornish coast, the There are plenty of things to do both on the water and on the spans numerous granite rock islands, of which five land during your stay. There is an excellent Tourist Information are inhabited: St Mary’s, Tresco, St Agnes, St Martin’s and . Centre in , St Mary’s where the staff will be able to Divided by a stretch of the most treacherous of the waters help with any queries. Practically every pastime and hobby is surrounding Cornwall, the crossing on the ferry, catered for, from guided walks and talks, to fishing, scuba III, in bad weather is not for those with a diving and glass bottom boat tours, islands by air with weak constitution, so it’s a good thing you can also reach Skybus; the list is endless. the islands via the Skybus. Tresco is the second largest island and the Abbey Gardens are The islands have a rare beauty and are popular with, amongst a great place to visit with a wide variety of plants from all over others, twitchers, ramblers, artists, garden lovers, yachties and the world. those who simply want to stop their world for a while and call a In the 12th century, Benedictine Monks established a priory on ‘time-out’ while relaxing on unspoiled white sand beaches. Tresco, around which the gardens were built, the only remnants St Mary’s is the largest of the islands, with a generous are a couple of archways and some lengths of wall. The gardens harbour able to accommodate the ferry and the cargo ship Gry were begun by Augustus Smith who was granted a lease to Maritha as well as visiting cruise ships. The island is ideal to use the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and it was he who built the Abbey as your base during your stay and getting around St Mary’s is as his home. Successive members of the family have added to straightforward as nowhere is very far to walk; the island, at just the gardens and all visitors to the Isles of Scilly should put at over 1500 acres, is twice as big as Tresco. least half a day aside for a visit to the 17-acre arena which was described by Walter Besant as ‘Kew with the roof off’. Because If you wanted to walk around the island the coastline measures only 10 miles and at a gentle pace it shouldn’t take of the climate there are plants here that are not grown in the you more than four or five hours. Cars are permitted on St open anywhere else in the UK. The gardens also house ‘Valhalla’, Mary’s for residents but not for visitors; the other islands do a collection of 28 figureheads from ships wrecked around the not allow cars at all. There is a scheduled service as well as islands and a poignant reminder of how dangerous the ocean several taxis operating on the island and if you fancy a bit of around the islands was, and still is, for the unwary navigator. island hopping there are a number of daily passenger boats. The gardens, for which there is an admission charge, have a shop The boatmen on the islands are well organised and trips leave and café that are open every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm. St Mary’s from 10.00am every morning. However, at the end of The island also has tennis courts, an open-air heated the day they have to leave on time because of the , and do swimming pool, a general store, a pub, eateries and an not wait, so you are well advised to listen to the departure times! art gallery.

47 BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 grocery store and a farm that sells milk, eggs, meat organic vegetables, honey and narcissi. Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited islands, is an island of contrasts with the frightening sounding Hell Bay on the west coast, where Atlantic rollers crash in, and the peaceful views from the east coast across the narrow, normally calm channel to Tresco. Bryher only has a population of about 80 people but the Fraggle Rock Bar has earned the accolade of a Jamie Oliver ‘Best British Boozer’ where the sales of every Fair-trade hot drink help support the local Wildlife Trust. To get to the Isles of Scilly, you can choose to travel by sea or air but not on a Sunday when there are no flights or ferry trips to or from the islands. This March sees the launch of Helicopters’ service to either Tresco or St Mary’s from the new heliport at Eastern Green in Penzance. A 12 seater state-of-the-art AW139 helicopter will whisk you to the islands in 15 minutes. The Scillonian III ferry departs from Penzance and takes just under 3 hours. Skybus operates a plane service from Land’s End, where the company has invested in a new terminal, and . If you are pushed for time daytrips are available and if you took Image courtesy: Visit Isles of Scilly the Penzance Helicopters first flight out and the last flight back you would have 8 hours on the islands. Alternatively you could take the morning ferry from Penzance which will get you to St Mary’s St Martin’s is the third largest island at less than two miles long in time for a leisurely lunch and a look around before returning to and 600 acres in size and is blessed with long white sandy beaches. Penzance on the late afternoon ferry. A fly out/sail back option is If you get a beautiful summer’s day, you can sit on one of the also available which gives you some more time on St Mary’s. practically deserted beaches and imagine yourself to be relaxing in If you want to take your dog(s) then you can buy tickets for them the Caribbean. Don’t be fooled by the crystal clear turquoise ocean on either the ferry or skybus but please note that Skybus only though; the sea temperature doesn’t quite match up to the tropical have ‘Sky Kennels’ on the flights from/to Land’s End. waters of St Lucia or Jamaica. The island with a population in the region of 100 has a general store and post office, a fantastic bakery, art and craft galleries, a vineyard, cafes, a pub and a hotel. The rugged island of St Agnes features a whitewashed Secure parking in and stone cottages that tumble down to the farmland Penzance for visitors and gorgeous flowerfields. The island is home to beautiful sandy and residents. coves, heathlands, and unusual natural surroundings that attract butterflies, moths and rare birds. Closest possible parking to the Scillonian The Bar is a sandy causeway that links St Agnes to its neighbour Hugh and the two sheltered tongues of water offer idyllic crystal The biggest and the best; others can copy clear waters for swimmers. us, but cannot reach our levels of service. St Agnes offers an oceanfront pub, fish restaurant, cafes, • Secure attended indoor • Friendly, professional a campsite, B&B’s, self-catering accommodation, a post office, and outdoor parking with and reliable over 200 spaces • Fully insured collection • We can park anything, and delivery service to and Image courtesy: Visit Isles of Scilly anytime; boats, trailers, from campers and bikes. From • Valeting, servicing, a Mini Cooper to a coach bodywork and MOTs arranged by appointment Isles of Scilly Parking Co Ltd. Telephone bookings 01736 332727 Mobile 07724 879 482 ONLINE BOOKING and payment service at: www.islesofscillyparking.co.uk [email protected]

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Visiting the Isles of Scilly is magical. Getting there by helicopter is unforgettable.

Climb aboard Penzance Helicopters’ state-of-the-art helicopter and prepare to be whisked away to the enchanted islands of Tresco and St Mary's. Taking off from the Penzance Heliport, you can enjoy the incredible views of the the legendary St Michael's Mount and the golden beaches on the Cornish coast, before arriving at the picturesque Isles of Scilly.

Book your flights today at www.penzancehelicopters.co.uk

[email protected] 01736 780828

Here are some of the best restaurants, cafes, shops and attractions to visit during your stay in the Isles of Scilly.

FOOD & DRINK PENZANCE HELICOPTERS Penzance Heliport, Jelbert Way, Long Rock, Penzance HELL BAY HOTEL RESTAURANT T: 01604 817115 Bryher, TR23 0PR W: www.penzancehelicopters.co.uk St Helen’s T: 01720 422947 Tean St Martin’s W: www.hellbay.co.uk ACTIVITIES JULIET’S GARDEN RESTAURANT Bryher BOAT TRIPS Seaways/Porthlow, St Mary’s TR21 0NF St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association, St Mary’s T: 01720 422 228 Tresco T: 01720 423999 W: www.julietsgardenrestaurant.co.uk W: www.scillyboating.co.uk ST. MARTIN’S VINEYARD FISHING Samson St. Martin’s, TR25 0QL St Mary’s St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association, St Mary’s T: 01720 423418 T: 01720 423999 Isles of Scilly W: www.stmartinsvineyard.co.uk W: www.scillyboating.co.uk TROYTOWN FARM, DAIRY & SHOP ISLAND SEA SAFARIS St Agnes, TR22 0PL ‘Nowhere’, Old Town, St Mary’s, TR21 0NH T: 01720 422360 T: 01720 422732 W: www.troytown.co.uk W: www.islandseasafaris.co.uk St Agnes SHOPS & ART GALLERIES ISLAND WILDLIFE TOURS 42 Sally Port, St. Mary’s TR21 OJE GALLERY TRESCO T: 01720 422212 , Tresco Island TR24 0QF W: www.islandwildlifetours.co.uk T: 01720 424 925 W: www.tresco.co.uk/enjoying/gallery-tresco SCILLY DIVING SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS Highertown, St Martin’s TR25 0QL Abbey Garden, Tresco GLANDORE GALLERY T: 01720 422848 , St. Marys, TR21 0NE W: www.scillydiving.com Bant’s Carn Burial Chamber and Ancient Village, T: 01720 422535 St. Mary’s THE ISLES OF SCILLY BOAT HIRE W: www.glandorescilly.info Bennett Boatyard, Bryher TR23 0PR Carreg Dhu Community Garden, St. Mary’s TRAVEL TO/FROM ISLES OF SCILLY T: 07979 393206 Cromwell’s Castle, Tresco W: www.bennettboatyard.com King Charles’ Castle, Tresco ISLES OF SCILLY TRAVEL ‘Nowhere’, Old Town, St Mary’s, TR21 0NH THE SAILING CENTRE Isles of Scilly Museum, St Mary’s T: 01736 334220 Porthmellon, St Marys TR21 0NE T: The Bishop Rock Lighthouse - the tallest lighthouse in the UK W: www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk 01720 422060 W: www.sailingscilly.com The Garrison, St. Mary’s The Maze on the west side of Castella Down, St Agnes

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