St Mary's, the largest of the Isles of Scilly to discover in 15 photos
St Mary's is the largest and most populated of the Isles of Scilly, located off the coast of Cornwall, England. Discovery of the main island and gateway to the Scilly Islands in pictures.
St Mary's is the main island of the Scilly archipelago, a group of about 140 islands and islets, of which only five are inhabited. It is often referred to as the gateway to Scilly, as it is home to the archipelago's airport and the main port of arrival for ferries from Penzance. One of the main attractions of St Mary's is the spectacular coastal path, which allows you to explore the steep cliffs, secluded coves and breathtaking views. The main town of St Mary's is called Hugh Town, a charming village of white houses and narrow streets. Take a stroll through the village.
Anchorage at Porth Cressa, perfect for sheltering from the north-northwest winds. The cemetery and the small chapel of Old Town, which offers a spectacular view of the sea and a beautiful sunrise The runway of the airport north of Old Town is located on the heights. When you take off, you are bathed by the cliffs and the sea. Pedestrian traffic is regulated by a traffic light during take-off and landing periods. The small bay of Porth Hellick, on the south coast of St Mary's is a haven of peace. There is not a house in sight, and on the beach, locals can leave their kayaks without any worries. Near the slipway of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the local SNSM, one can discover a small museum that lists all the rescue operations since the 20th century. Three RNLI operations have already been carried out in 2023.
Founded in 1851 in Cornwall by Walter Hicks, St Austell Brewery remains today a 100% independent and family owned business. The flora of St Mary's is exceptional. There are many flowers, succulents and exotic plants. On the left, we discover a geranium from Madeira. The English travelled a lot and brought back to Scilly plants that thrived there because of the Gulf Stream, a micro-climate favorable to exotic gardens. The Scilly Islands are lined with pebbles that make navigation technical. The bottoms are mostly sandy, which allows for beautiful turquoise waters St Mary's was a fortified island from very early on, and still has re-staged remnants of that fortification. Put in place after the French Revolution, it was never used.
The entrance to the former fortification of the Star Castle Hotel on the west side of St Mary's. One can walk through the gardens where many birds are present in spring and where the vegetation is lush. In the past, the entrance was equipped with portcullis and reinforced wooden swing doors. The traditional houses of St Mary's with their bow windows and their typical gardens. An old red telephone box reminds us that Scilly is part of the United Kingdom. Next to it is a member of a ship that ran aground in Scilly in 1771. View of the main port of the island, Hug Town, in the immediate vicinity of the Mermaid, the essential pub of St Mary's where sailors come to quench their thirst after the crossing. We disembark directly on the beach with our dinghy before arriving at the Mermaid. The western rocks represent multiple dangers. They are found mainly in the southwest of the island and are marked by the Bishop Rock lighthouse, which can be seen more than 20 miles from the coast.
There are many fishermen in Scilly. It is a very good spot for pollock, but also for sea bass because of the current.
