St.Mary's ... information from the Official Tourism Website

St.Mary's - Scilly's Hub

The hub of island life, with air and sea links to the mainland, a cluster of shops, restaurants, art and craft galleries, banks, three churches, a museum, bike-hire, water sports and a range of accommodation from classic hotels and self-catering to friendly B&Bs and campsites.

Harbour bench There are nine miles of roads linking the island's communities and various coach, minibus and vintage car tours run during the summer. Alternatively, why not hire a bike and explore for yourself? If you fancy walking, there are some thirty miles of coastal paths and nature trails just waiting to be discovered. One of the most popular walks is around the Garrison that takes about an hour and offers stunning views across to all the other islands. St.Mary's has many hidden secrets and the walks around the coast and across the numerous trails that criss-cross the island are a delight with many contrasts from woodlands, heaths and marshland to sand dunes with marram grasses thick with wild agapanthus flowers from Africa.

Step inland where burial chambers and ancient Bant's Carn monuments dot the heathland. Some of the most notable are the megalthic village at Bant's Carn and the Civil War fortifications including the 16th Century Star Castle, now converted into an hotel. Inland the Telegraph Tower stands tall on the highest point of the island and around the coast rocky promontaries jut into the ocean, serving up wild panoramas from granite pews.

Old Town Bay Sports enthusiasts are certainly catered for on St.Mary's. Facilities include squash, tennis, golf, cycling, horse-riding, sailing, windsurfing, scuba-diving and fishing. All the equipment is available for hire including wet-suits for all those maritime pursuits.

As for arts and crafts, there are many studios scattered about St.Mary's displaying very high quality pottery, paintings and crafts. If you paint or sketch yourself, the islands offer a visual delight with crystal-clear visibility and some of the most stunning views in the world.

Hugh Town
Nestling on a sandy isthmus between Porthcressa Beach and Town Beach, you'll find a range of shops, banks, three churches, a museum, a lifeboat station, bike hire, restaurants and galleries. Holgate's Green is a delightful spot to enjoy an ice-cream and to watch the colourful inter-island launches depart, whilst the Garrison boasts gorgeous views, a 16th century Star Castle (now a hotel), and even a children's playpark.

Old Town
A gentle stroll just 20 minutes walk from Hugh Town, Old Town is a delightful spot to stop and enjoy a wonderful sandy bay, with boats bobbing in the distance, artists' studios, a pub, a chocolatier and cafés. The Old Town Church graveyard is fascinating; dominated by a memorial to Augustus Smith, founder of Tresco Abbey Garden, and of interest to many as the final resting place of former British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.

'Up Country'
Enjoy 30-40 miles of coastal paths and nature trails, where you can discover the delights of our woodlands, heaths, wetlands, and rocky headlands. Visit the menagerie or the open-air pool, hack along the beach, or walk in the steps of ancestors through the Bronze Age village. Along the way you'll find several cafés dotted about, perfect for a relaxing coffee, delicious meal, or cream tea.

Evenings
Watch a Gig Race, our favourite island past time, take an evening Shearwater Special cruise, or take in a slideshow or musical performance. Enjoy an evening stroll past the soothing illumination of Peninnis lighthouse, take a Bat Walk or a Ghost Walk, or just sit and watch the sun slide down the crimson horizon with a cool glass of wine.

Don't miss
- Bird Hides on the Nature Trail to spot some of our local and visiting bird life
- Bant's Carn and the Bronze Age village at Halangy
- Buy a seascape from your favourite artist or a flowering treat for next year, in the form of a bulb or plant specimen
- Learn to row a gig, with one of the local gig associations
- Go for a guided walk with local experts who can bring alive the Islands' history and help you distinguish between a guillemot and a razorbill.

A small selection of St. Mary's eateries include:

Kaffeehaus Salbei: come and enjoy some delicious traditional home-made Bavarian cakes, strudel, pretzels, and rye breads at the Kaffeehaus Salbei adjoining the Isles of Scilly Country Guesthouse. 01720 422440
The Scillonian Club welcomes all visitors, no membership required. Large bar with Sky TV and varied entertainment. Lyonesse Restaurant with unsurpassed panoramic views. Affordable drinking and dining. 01720 422720
Juliet's Garden Restuarant offers perfect seaside eating with homemade and imaginative menus. Eat in or out, enjoying spectacular harbour views. Open daily and most evenings. 01720 422228
Old Town Inn, a Free House serving Real Ales. Excellent bar and bistro food. Sunday Roasts. Friendly local atmosphere. Beer Gardens and regular live music. 01720 422301
The Dairy Cafe is open all year for light meals and homemade goodies. Find us opposite the lifeboat slip. Roskilly's home on Scilly. 01720 422446.

A small selection of the many things to do on St. Mary's includes:

Glandore Gallery: a beachside studio and shop, offering exciting original artwork, prints, and cards. 01720 422535
Phoenix Craft Workshops: a range of arts and crafts creations for sale, and friendly informal workshops. 01720 422900
St. Mary's Boatmen's Association: offering service to all the Islands as well as scenic and wildlife trips. www.scillyboating.co.uk
Island Sea Safaris: for "Shipwrecks, Seals, and Seabirds" rib safaris around the Islands, with friendly and informative commentary. www.islandseasafaris.co.uk
Scilly Fishing offers a range of fishing trips aboard the Kingfisher. www.scillyfishing.co.uk
The Sailing Centre offers taster sessions or full RYA courses in dinghy sailing and windsurfing. Contact them for all your watersports needs on 01720 422060
St. Mary's Bike Hire - for an ideal way to explore St. Mary's at your leisure. Ring Sean on 07796 638506
The Isles of Scilly Museum - for the A-Z of Scilly - from archaeology to zoology. www.iosmuseum.org

Beaches on St. Mary's

The beaches on St. Mary's offer sun-bleached white sand, perfect for secluded sunbathing and stunning vistas, and great beachcombing. There are turquoise shallows enticing you into the sea, wonderful rockpools, and fascinating snorkelling spots.

We've made a short list of some of the best spots:

Pelistry (St. Mary's):
Ask anyone who lives on St. Mary's why they love Pelistry and the same reasons pop up. Pelistry Bay is almost always deserted, the Eastern Isles hover in the distance, and an excellent café is only a five-minute walk away. Lastly, as if that wasn't enough, Toll's Island is perfect to explore at low water. (Please note that swimming is not safe when the Bar is covered).

Porthcressa (St. Mary's):
Porthcressa Beach combines a sandy promenade with a range of nearby visitor facilities. Porthcressa is a safe cove for mooring, windsurfing, swimming, paddling and playing in dinghies. There are even rocky outcrops for some interesting snorkelling.

Town Beach (St. Mary's):
Not many people would think of swimming in St. Mary's Harbour; however just under the lifeboat slip in the far corner is an invitingly secluded spot where children can mess around in the shallows and enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of boats in the harbour. This corner is quiet, safe, inviting and close to shops and services.

Best Beach for rock pooling: Porthlow, St. Mary's

Best beach for beachcombing: Town Beach, St. Mary's