Tresco
Across from Bryher lies Tresco, arguably the most glamorous member of the archipelago. The island is privately owned by the Dorrien-Smith family, and it has some gorgeously luxe visitor accommodation.
The island is famous for Tresco Abbey Gardens, a subtropical treasure of a place. Exotic plants thrive in Tresco’s climate, which simply couldn’t grow anywhere else in the UK. Head to the north coast for the best walking; then there are some wonderful places to eat on this sophisticated island.
Uninhabited Islands
Scilly has five inhabited islands – which leaves us with around 140 people-free idylls. Many have been colonised by seabirds, providing them with a rare opportunity to live without humans. You can take boat trips around many of these wild and tiny islands, or even visit some yourself.
Samson was inhabited until the mid-19th century, and has an eerie collection of abandoned dwellings to explore. It also has some of Scilly’s most beautiful beaches. There are glorious views across the islands from Tean’s Great Hill (don’t get too excited: it’s about 40m high).
St Helen’s has the haunted-feeling remains of an 18th-century isolation hospital, where plague carriers where quarantined. Or, for some of the best seabird-spotting territory in the South West, try Annet, the “island of birds”. You’re welcome to visit; however, Annet is closed annually between mid-April and mid-August to let the birds enjoy their home in peace.
Getting to the Isles of Scilly from Penzance