Isles of Scilly (beaches, shipwrecks and migration stop-off point!)
The Isles of Scilly are around 23 miles off the Cornish coast (you can take the ferry from plastic-free Penzance). Stunningly beautiful, they look more like Caribbean islands, with white sandy beaches and clear blue seas. But don’t be fooled – this area has many shipwrecks, to show waters can be treacherous.
The islands are slightly warmer than elsewhere. Birds stop here when migrating to/from Africa, and the islands are also popular with painters.
If out walking, always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. If at the coast, read about how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
Don’t walk on sand dunes (to protect endangered natterjack toads) and keep you and dogs away from coastal birds and flowers (some are toxic) and seals. Join the campaign to ban flying rings, to help local seals.
One sailor stranded on an island for a few days was shocked to find dead marine wildlife, many due to oil and litter. This caused him to found Clean Ocean Sailing, a team of volunteers that remove plastic waste from the coast in all of Cornwall.
Visit Scilly Organics, one of England’s best micro box schemes (the founder is also a sustainability expert, who offers carbon consultancy for other organic farmers). Check out his free carbon calculator tool.
A Quick Guide to the Main Five Islands
St Mary’s is both the heart and busiest corner of Scilly. Its lively harbour at Hugh Town greets nearly all visitors. Cobbled streets wind between cafés, galleries, and old stone buildings. Car-free footpaths lead out to sandy beaches and craggy headlands.
Tresco’s reputation springs from its sub-tropical Abbey Garden. Rare palms, exotic blooms, and succulents layer across terraces—all warmed by Scilly’s gentle climate.
Red squirrels, absent from most of England, make this island their home (there’s no need to cull grey squirrels with proper habitats).
St Martin’s brings together some of Britain’s clearest waters and softest sands. Low-tide reveals wide expanses, while steep dunes and heathered cliffs shelter wildflowers and butterflies.
With only a handful of shops and a single pub, it keeps things simple. The island has become known for its vineyard and the only flower farm in Scilly open to visitors.
St Agnes is smallest of the main inhabited islands, and feels the most remote. Rocky outcrops, old lighthouses, and sweeping sea views create a world apart. Ancient chapels, and hidden coves make St Agnes a haven for walkers.
Bryher stands close by, just a short boat ride from Tresco, but its mood can shift in moments. One side meets the wild Atlantic in crashing surf, the other lies calm and sandy.
Tiny hamlets, scattered fields, and a single hotel give this island an ideal space, for quiet and wide coastal skies.
Why Flowers Bloom Longer in The Scilly Isles
The Scilly Isles have longer growing seasons, due to warmer weather. So there are many companies here that sell ‘summer flowers’ that often are still going, well into autumn!
Daffodils are one of England’s favourite flowers, often grown in gardens and public parks (not the best choice, as daffodils are highly toxic to all pets, horses, deer and livestock).
So don’t send them to homes with animal friends. Read more on pet-friendly gardens (and never face indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows).
The Isles of Scilly (despite its high rate of shipwrecks on windy days) has a very mild winter climate, compared to the rest of England (it’s 23 miles off the Cornish coast). Commercial growers also use special techniques to extend the season, like selecting varieties for a long season, and leaving some bulbs in the ground for longer, for high quality crops.
The History of England’s Daffodils
Daffodils are seen as as sign of hope. But only display them away from other flowers, as the sap can harm other flower species). Or at least soak the stems in a vase, before mixing for a bouquet.
The national flower of Wales can produce galantamine, a chemical which may help patients with dementia.
The scientific name Narcissus, is from a Greek myth of a young man, who fell in love with his own reflection. After dying away due to not being able to ‘marry himself’, the flower apparently grew in the place where he died.
Artisan Rum (from the Isles of Scilly)
It may look like the Caribbean, but the Isles of Scilly is notorious for shipwrecks (a lighthouse once even blew over before it was finished, and had to be rebuilt). It also has a strong history of pirates, so it’s no surprise that SC Dogs Distillery is a popular tipple here
All bar one is vegan – contains honey.
The range includes William Gibson Gold Rum (named after the son of a smuggler and farmer whose land still provides the ingredients and John Nance White Rum (named after a family ancestor who would row 100 nautical miles to France to bring back contraband rum!
RNLI Sea Dogs Rum is made in honour of heroic lives that were lost in these treacherous seas. Distilled in small batches from local ingredients and aged in old whisky barrels, the lingering notes of peat produces a taste to savour, over ice.
Each bottle raises money for water-safety initiatives.
‘Grog’ is another word for rum, linked to its history with pirates (simply robbers who work on ships, rather than on land).
Back in the day when sailors would drink rum on board, pirates would loot anything they found and this included rum, which they traded as currency.
They would find coopers who would fill empty rum barrels with boiling water and roll them around to create a new drink called ‘grog’. Shiver me timbers!
Why Switch to Artisan Rum?
Created in the Caribbean in the 17th century, rum is made from sugarcane that is crushed to extract the molasses (if you like gingerbread, you’ll like rum). It’s high in alcohol, so be careful as it’s easy to get smashed on rum! Soldiers were so fond of it, they were often paid in rum.
Corks are too dense to compost, so recycle at off license or send in bulk to Recorked.
