There are few places in the UK where walking feels quite so elemental as it does on the Isles of Scilly. Set 28 miles off the Cornish coast, this scattering of low-lying islands offers something rare: big skies, white-sand beaches, and a pace of life that rewards those who explore on foot.
A walking holiday here isn’t about ticking off peaks or chasing distance. It’s about salt air, shifting light, and discovering a different cove, ruin or viewpoint around every headland.
St Mary’s: The Perfect Base
Most visitors arrive on St Mary’s, the largest island, and it’s an ideal starting point. The circular coastal path around the island covers roughly nine miles, manageable in a day, but better enjoyed in sections.
From Hugh Town, the path curves north toward The Garrison, where ramparts and star-shaped fortifications hint at centuries of coastal defence. Continue towards Porth Hellick Down and you’ll find ancient burial chambers and wide, empty bays that feel closer to the Caribbean than Cornwall.
The joy of walking here lies in variety. One moment you’re tracing heather-covered downs with panoramic sea views; the next you’re descending to a sheltered beach where the only footprints might be your own.
Tresco: Subtropical Surprises
A short boat hop brings you to Tresco, home to the celebrated Tresco Abbey Garden. Even if you’re focused on walking, this subtropical garden is worth lingering in, where palms, succulents and exotic blooms flourish thanks to the Gulf Stream.
Beyond the gardens, Tresco’s flat terrain makes for easy, leisurely walks. Follow the coastal paths north to Cromwell’s Castle and King Charles’s Castle, where views stretch across the archipelago. The light here shifts constantly, turning the sea from deep Atlantic blue to translucent turquoise within minutes.
St Martin’s and Bryher: Quiet and Wild
For those seeking solitude, St Martin’s delivers. A simple walk from Higher Town to the Daymark tower at the island’s northern tip offers sweeping views across the Eastern Isles. The beaches here are dazzling, long crescents of pale sand edged by marram grass and clear water.
Bryher, by contrast, is small but dramatic. On its Atlantic-facing side, Hell Bay lives up to its name when the swell rolls in. Crossing the island on foot takes less than half an hour, yet the contrast between its wild west coast and calm eastern shores is remarkable.
Practical Pleasures
One of the delights of a Scilly walking holiday is its simplicity. There’s no need for a car; in fact, you’ll quickly realise you don’t want one. Boats shuttle between the islands, timetables dictated as much by tide as by clock. Good boots, a light waterproof and a camera are your main essentials.
Why Choose Scilly for Walking?
Because it feels different. The air is softer. The horizon wider. Distances are modest, yet the sense of escape is immense. You can walk an entire island in a day and still feel you’ve only scratched the surface.
