St. Mary’s is the largest of the Isles of Scilly. It has a small population of just 1,800 and is the gateway to the rest of the islands, with the principal ferry link from the mainland port of Penzance. Though it’s the largest, it’s still tiny, with an area of less than 2.5 square miles.
Hugh Town is the main centre for shops, banks, churches, post office, cafés, galleries, restaurants and pubs. It also has an excellent museum. St. Mary’s has three lovely beaches in very close proximity – Porthcressa, with a children’s play area close by; Town Beach, a perfect spot to watch the comings and goings on the Quay; and Porthmellon, which also hosts the Sailing Centre.
The Quay is where the Scillonian III passenger ferry docks every day. It’s also where you'll find yourself travelling from if you’re staying on any of the “off islands” or if you’re taking any tripper boats for a day out from St. Mary’s.
Old Town is the other principal settlement on St. Mary’s, being closer to the airport and with its own beautiful beach and nature reserve, a children’s soft play zone, shop, pub and cafés.
Away from the relative hustle and bustle, St. Mary’s is an easy going safe haven of hidden treasures. The coastline features large stretches of deserted white sandy beaches, dramatic rocky coves, stunning seascapes, amazing archaeological sites, beautiful walks and scenery along the coastal and country paths and nature trails.
Getting there
By Sea
The journey from Penzance takes 2 hours 45 minutes and is a great experience in itself. As soon as you set sail aboard the Scillonian III, you’ll already sense the gentler pace of life. You can relax and enjoy the stunning sea views of Cornwall’s quaint villages, the world-renowned open air Minack Theatre and the Land’s End peninsula. Quite often, the ship will be joined and followed by pods of dolphins, a raft of seabirds and sometimes even basking sharks. So, by the time you arrive in at St. Mary’s, you’ll definitely be in a holiday mood.
The Scillonian III runs between March and November six days a week and, in high season, every day. Generally speaking (exceptionally low tides withstanding), it leaves Penzance at 9.15am, arriving in Scilly at 12 noon. It then leaves Scilly at 16.30, arriving in Penzance at 19.10pm. Cars are not allowed on the Scillonian III (except those that are craned on for residents), so if you're travelling down to Cornwall by car, you’ll have to park up in Penzance before you embark, in a public car park or at your hotel if you’ve got one booked there.
The Scillonian III was refurbished for the 2013 season and now offers comfortable reclining seats for 450 passengers, a café bar, café, platform lift, baby-changing facilities and open-air deck seating.
One-way fares start at £45 for adults, £23.50 for 2-15 year olds and £12 for infants under 2 years. You can visit the Isles of Scilly for a day at a special rate of £39.50 return, £23 return for children and £13 for infants, though bear in mind this only gives you about four hours on the island.
By Air
The Isles of Scilly Airport is located on the main island of St. Mary's. When you fly to St. Mary’s, you will travel either on an 8-seater Britten-Norman Islander aircraft or a 19-seater De Havilland Twin Otter. Flying to the Isles of Scilly is the antithesis of modern day air travel - a more personal and pleasurable experience from the moment you check in.
There are three departure points from the mainland – Exeter Airport which is 60-minute flight (March to October), Newquay Cornwall Airport which takes 30 minutes, and Land’s End which is just a 15-minute hop to the islands. Both Newquay and Land’s End flights operate all year round.
Secure car parking and car hire is available at all three airports, and if you are flying from Exeter, you can enjoy a 20% parking discount. If you are travelling by train to Exeter or Bodmin Parkway, you will need to taxi to the airports. A dedicated shuttle bus operates between Penzance station and Land’s End airport – book this at the time you arrange your flights.
Fares start from £75 one way, less for children and infants. You can also come to the Isles of Scilly for a day at a special rate from £105 return from Lands End or Newquay.
By Rail
The Great Western Rail service takes you to Penzance, where you will then connect either directly onto the Scillionian III passenger ferry or onto a flight from Land’s End to St. Mary’s via a shuttle service provided by Isles of Scilly Travel.
Title Image Credit: Tim Dobson (Image Cropped)