{"id":363698,"date":"2026-08-02T14:30:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T14:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/hidden-gems-beaches-best-things-to-do\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T14:30:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T14:30:21","slug":"hidden-gems-beaches-best-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=363698","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Gems, Beaches &#038; Best Things to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><input class=\"jpibfi\" type=\"hidden\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"post-modified-info\">Last Updated on 31st July 2026 by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"last-modified-author\">Sophie Nadeau<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- [element-47063] --><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/privacy-policy\/?customize_changeset_uuid=52ac4159-0c03-46d5-a044-da2738dcc7df&amp;customize_autosaved=on&amp;customize_messenger_channel=preview-1\">privacy policy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/privacy-policy\/?customize_changeset_uuid=52ac4159-0c03-46d5-a044-da2738dcc7df&amp;customize_autosaved=on&amp;customize_messenger_channel=preview-1\">disclosure<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.solosophie.com%2Fbest-things-to-do-in-the-french-riviera%2F&amp;t=Best%20Things%20to%20Do%20in%20the%20French%20Riviera%20%26amp%3B%20Top%20Travel%20Tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\/><\/p>\n<p><!-- [\/element-47063] --><\/p>\n<p><strong>St Mary\u2019s <\/strong>is the largest and most inhabited of the <strong>isles in Scilly<\/strong>, a natural haven of wildlife, subtropical plants, and fascinating rock formations. Surrounded by azure waters, the enchanting island is addictive for those interested in natural history, hiking and a diverse display of flora and fauna. Here\u2019s your guide to<strong> the best things to do in St Mary\u2019s, home to the capital of the Isles of Scilly!<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"st marys sunset isles of scilly\" class=\"wp-image-51474\" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/st-marys-the-isles-of-scilly\/\" data-jpibfi-post-title=\"St Mary\u2019s, Isles of Scilly: Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do\" data-jpibfi-src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-sunset-from-the-garrison-isles-of-scilly-683x1024.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-sunset-from-the-garrison-isles-of-scilly-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-sunset-from-the-garrison-isles-of-scilly-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-sunset-from-the-garrison-isles-of-scilly-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-sunset-from-the-garrison-isles-of-scilly-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-sunset-from-the-garrison-isles-of-scilly-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-sunset-from-the-garrison-isles-of-scilly-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"st mary's port isles of scilly\" class=\"wp-image-51473\" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/st-marys-the-isles-of-scilly\/\" data-jpibfi-post-title=\"St Mary\u2019s, Isles of Scilly: Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do\" data-jpibfi-src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-port-isles-of-scilly-683x1024.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-port-isles-of-scilly-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-port-isles-of-scilly-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-port-isles-of-scilly-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-port-isles-of-scilly-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-port-isles-of-scilly-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-port-isles-of-scilly-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"A_brief_introduction_to_the_Isles_of_Scilly\"><strong>A <em>brief<\/em> introduction to the Isles of Scilly<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Isles of Scilly are the UK\u2019s largest group of islands, an archipelago that lies just 28 miles from the coast of Cornwall in England. An area of outstanding beauty, there are around 140 or so islets, but only five of them are inhabited: <em>St Mary\u2019s, Tresco, St Martin\u2019s, St Agnes and Bryher.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Isles of Scilly are characterised by their turquoise waters, pale fine, sanded beaches and tropical foliage, all of which provide a haven for wildlife and those who love to be immersed in nature.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"st marys isles of scilly sophie nadeau\" class=\"wp-image-55740\" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/st-marys-the-isles-of-scilly\/\" data-jpibfi-post-title=\"St Mary\u2019s, Isles of Scilly: Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do\" data-jpibfi-src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-1024x683.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"What_is_St_Mary8217s_known_for\"><strong>What is St Mary\u2019s known for?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>St Mary\u2019s is the largest and most populous of the Scilly Isles, it\u2019s also where the airport is located and where the Scillonians dock from the mainland. Like many of the islets in the archipelago, St Mary\u2019s is renowned for its stunning white sandy beaches, thriving wildlife and intriguing archaeological sites.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"sophie nadeau st mary's\" class=\"wp-image-55737\" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/st-marys-the-isles-of-scilly\/\" data-jpibfi-post-title=\"St Mary\u2019s, Isles of Scilly: Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do\" data-jpibfi-src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hire-golf-cart-sophie-nadeau-683x1024.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hire-golf-cart-sophie-nadeau-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hire-golf-cart-sophie-nadeau-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hire-golf-cart-sophie-nadeau-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hire-golf-cart-sophie-nadeau-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hire-golf-cart-sophie-nadeau-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hire-golf-cart-sophie-nadeau-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"hiking in the heather st marys isles of scilly\" class=\"wp-image-55739\" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/st-marys-the-isles-of-scilly\/\" data-jpibfi-post-title=\"St Mary\u2019s, Isles of Scilly: Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do\" data-jpibfi-src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-heather-hiking-sophie-nadeau-683x1024.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-heather-hiking-sophie-nadeau-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-heather-hiking-sophie-nadeau-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-heather-hiking-sophie-nadeau-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-heather-hiking-sophie-nadeau-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-heather-hiking-sophie-nadeau-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-isles-of-scilly-heather-hiking-sophie-nadeau-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Best_things_to_do\"><strong>Best things to do<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Explore_Hugh_Town\"><strong>Explore Hugh Town<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hugh Town is the beating heart and capital of the Isles of Scilly. This town rose to particular importance during the Tudor times thanks to its sheltered harbour area. Today, Hugh Town remains extremely important as it is the main point for the Scillonians to reach the mainland and vice versa. <\/p>\n<p>Aside from eateries, cosy cafes and a couple of pubs, Hugh Town is also the only spot in the Scilly\u2019s isles where you can find a mainstream supermarket and bank.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id49197_016082-88 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\">\n<div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kt-inner-column-height-full\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column49197_76c2c6-40\">\n<div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h5 class=\"kt-adv-heading49197_51895e-5c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading49197_51895e-5c\">All the best food spot suggestions!<\/h5>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading49197_cb08a4-51 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading49197_cb08a4-51\"><span id=\"Where_to_eat_on_St_Mary8217s\"><strong>Where to eat on St Mary\u2019s?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>When it comes to eating out in St Mary\u2019s you\u2019re pretty spoilt for choice Here are a few of our favourite places to eat on the island:<\/em><\/h5>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dibble and Grub<\/strong> <strong>\u2013<\/strong> specialising in tapas &amp; Mediterranean cuisine<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hugh Street Cafe \u2013<\/strong> a great breakfast spot!<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Atlantic Inn \u2013<\/strong> pub classics, including a delicious vegan version of fish &amp; chips<\/li>\n<li><strong>Longstone Lodge \u2013 <\/strong>sandwiches and light bites in a cosy setting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"The_Garrison\"><strong>The Garrison<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Isles of Scilly were a weak point in England\u2019s defence system. The Garrison is an area in St Mary\u2019s, that was at one time one of England\u2019s most remarkable and impressive coastal defence systems.<\/p>\n<p>Today, you can still wander around and see the well-preserved fortifications and walk the length of the Garrison walls which, from the top, boast amazing views onto Hugh Town Harbour and the rest of the town. <\/p>\n<p>Star Castle, which stands on the fortified Garrison Hill, was built in 1593. The 16th-century fortress has since been transformed into a beautiful 4-star hotel, where visitors can enjoy a luxury experience in a place steeped in history.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Visit_Old_Town\"><strong>Visit Old Town<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Just around the corner from Hugh Town is the former administrative capital of the Isles of Scilly. This town was of great importance in Norman times, however, little of the original architecture remains today. <\/p>\n<p>As its name suggests, the Old Town is thought to be the oldest settlement on the island, and it remains a popular tourist destination, as well as being the closest of the towns to the airport.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a cafe, quaint pub, small church, and a few holiday lets that make up most of the town, with a beautiful natural harbour that links the village with the open sea.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Halangy_Down_Village_Bant8217s_Carn_Burial_Chamber\"><strong>Halangy Down Village &amp; Bant\u2019s Carn Burial Chamber <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Halangy Down is a prehistoric village where you can see the stone remains of at least eleven houses. It\u2019s believed that the settlement occupied the site from the later Iron Age, 300 BC to the early Middle Ages, 600 AD. <\/p>\n<p>Bant\u2019s Carn Burial Chamber is much older than the village, dating back to the Bronze Age, 2,500 BCE. This stone and earth tomb sits above the ancient village and was a communal burial chamber.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"The_Long_Rock\"><strong>The Long Rock<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Nearby Halangy Down Village is a 2-metre-tall prehistoric standing stone located on Long Rock Down. Very little is known about this monument. However, it is covered in crusty lichen, which stands a testament to how fresh and clean the air of the Scilly Isles is.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Carreg_Dhu_Gardens\"><strong>Carreg Dhu Gardens<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The gardens take its name from the Cornish words for \u2018Black Rocks\u2019 and can be found in the heart of St Mary\u2019s. This subtropical paradise was created in 1986 by Richard and June Lethbridge, who started their labour of love on the site of a disused quarry and managed to bring it together thanks to donations from local birdwatchers and the Council of the Isles of Scilly.<\/p>\n<p>The exotic and foreign plants, some of which were gifted by the world-famous Tresco Abbey Gardens, thrive in this peaceful and quiet spot. The quarry site offers a very sheltered environment compared to that of the rest of the island.<\/p>\n<p>In 2006, the addition of a Narcissus Garden was made; Narcissi are a historic variety of daffodils that can be traced back to the early years of the flower industry.<\/p>\n<p>Carreg Dhu Gardens is community-led and maintained by volunteers; it\u2019s open and free for visitors to wander around and admire the wonderful 11.5 acres of verdant foliage!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Innisdigen_Burial_Chamber\"><strong>Innisdigen Burial Chamber<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Isles of Scilly were first visited by hunter-gatherers thousands of years ago. During the Bronze Age, the islands became occupied by several Burial Chambers and other monuments as the Neolithic inhabitants settled here.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s thought that there are around 80 of these kinds of chambers on the Isles of Scilly. The name \u2018burial\u2019 is slightly misleading as these chambers weren\u2019t solely used for that purpose, but also for ceremonies. Today, they remain well preserved and its fascinating to imaging how these spaces might have been used, almost 3,500 years ago!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Pelistry_Bay\"><strong>Pelistry Bay<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful spots of St Mary\u2019s, Pelistry Bay is a secluded beach on the eastern shore of the island and is only reachable by foot. Even if you have a bicycle, there\u2019s quite a steep rocky track to reach the beach area.<\/p>\n<p>Once there, you\u2019ll be greeted by a large stretch of fine white sand and, at low tide, you can walk out to the small tidal island known as Toll\u2019s Island.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Toll8217s_Island\"><strong>Toll\u2019s Island<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Toll\u2019s Island is the largest of four small tidal islets which can be reached by foot from St Mary\u2019s shore. The island is 300 meters long and 175 meters wide, and once there, you can see Civil War battery remains.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"The_Loaded_Camel\"><strong>The Loaded Camel<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the most fascinating natural wonders of the island stands in the form of a camel. This natural formation of granite stones piled upon one another resembles that of a camel carrying a heavy load. It has become a popular landmark thanks to its unique appearance (and makes for a great photograph!)<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Go_hiking\"><strong>Go hiking<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>St Mary\u2019s has over 30 miles of hiking trails that crisscross throughout the island. Here are some of the best trails you can undertake while on the island:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>St Mary\u2019s Island Coastal Loop (15.5\u201316 km \/ 9.8 miles)<\/strong> \u2013 The classic full-day hike circumnavigates the island, taking in dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, prehistoric sites, and panoramic sea views. Allow around 4\u20135 hours without long stops. <\/li>\n<li><strong>The Garrison Circular Walk (3.5\u20134 km \/ 2.3 miles)<\/strong> \u2013 One of the island\u2019s easiest and most rewarding walks, following the historic Elizabethan Garrison Walls. Expect fantastic views over Hugh Town, neighbouring islands, and the harbour, as well as Star Castle and coastal fortifications. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Harry\u2019s Walls &amp; Porth Mellon Loop (9 km \/ 5.7 miles)<\/strong> \u2013 A varied route combining Tudor ruins at Harry\u2019s Walls, Iron Age remains, peaceful countryside and the sandy shores of Porth Mellon Beach. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Halangy Down &amp; Bant\u2019s Carn<\/strong> \u2013 A shorter heritage walk to one of Britain\u2019s best-preserved Iron Age villages and the nearby Bronze Age entrance grave of Bant\u2019s Carn. It\u2019s ideal if you\u2019re interested in archaeology alongside coastal scenery. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Peninnis Head Walk<\/strong> \u2013 Follow the paths around Peninnis Head to discover granite tors, a lighthouse, rocky coves and some of the island\u2019s most dramatic Atlantic views. Sunset is particularly beautiful from here. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Old Town to Porth Hellick Coastal Walk<\/strong> \u2013 A gentle coastal stroll linking Old Town Bay with Porth Hellick, passing secluded beaches, wildflowers, and the island\u2019s quieter eastern coastline. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Bar Point &amp; Watermill Cove<\/strong> \u2013 Head north from Hugh Town to discover Bar Point, Watermill Cove, and hidden beaches with excellent opportunities for birdwatching and spotting seals. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Innisidgen Hill &amp; Giant\u2019s Castle<\/strong> \u2013 A rewarding inland detour to twin Bronze Age burial chambers with sweeping views across St Mary\u2019s and the surrounding islands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"hiking st marys\" class=\"wp-image-55736\" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/st-marys-the-isles-of-scilly\/\" data-jpibfi-post-title=\"St Mary\u2019s, Isles of Scilly: Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do\" data-jpibfi-src=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hiking-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-1024x683.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hiking-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hiking-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hiking-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hiking-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.solosophie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/st-marys-hiking-isles-of-scilly-sophie-nadeau-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"Getting_around_the_island\"><strong>Getting around the island<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>St Mary\u2019s is the largest of the Isles in Scilly and stretches around 6 square miles in total. There are several ways you can explore the island, by foot, by community bus, by taxi or, as we chose to do- by Scilly Carts! (golf-buggies)<\/p>\n<p>Not only is exploring the island via a buggy really fun, but it also means you can cover quite a lot of ground and sites within a short amount of time. Of course, there are parts where you\u2019ll need to park and walk, but for the most part you can reach most of the island. <\/p>\n<p>We opted to rent a Scilly Cart for one day, which cost \u00a360, so it\u2019s not necessarily the cheapest way to explore, but well worth doing if you have the opportunity! <em>Please note, as you are travelling on motorised roads, you\u2019ll need a full driver\u2019s license to rent a Scilly Cart.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated on 31st July 2026 by Sophie Nadeau This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my\u00a0privacy policy\u00a0and\u00a0disclosure\u00a0for more information. St Mary\u2019s is the largest and most inhabited of the isles in Scilly, a natural haven of wildlife, subtropical plants, and fascinating rock formations. Surrounded by azure waters, the enchanting island is addictive [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":363699,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[102378],"tags":[6434,1392,6320],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-363698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-england","tag-beaches","tag-gems","tag-hidden"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=363698\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hidden Gems, Beaches &amp; Best Things to Do - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Last Updated on 31st July 2026 by Sophie Nadeau This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my\u00a0privacy policy\u00a0and\u00a0disclosure\u00a0for more information. St Mary\u2019s is the largest and most inhabited of the isles in Scilly, a natural haven of wildlife, subtropical plants, and fascinating rock formations. 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