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ScillyOnLine is a unique internet resource for the Isles of Scilly. It is run locally to provide access to information on all aspects of Scilly, for residents and visitors alike.
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Island Rover Tours - click here

    Things to do
    There are lots of things to do on Scilly, from sailing to bus tours, but don't forget that part of Scilly's charm is that you don't have to be busy all the time. You're sure to want to spend at least some of your time soaking up the relaxed atmosphere.
     
   

Exploring Scilly - tours, walks, boats and bike hire
Sporting and outdoor activities
Library and internet access
Museum
Evening activities
Eating out

    Bar point, St Mary's
   

Exploring Scilly

The one thing you are sure to want to do is to explore the islands, and there are lots of ways to chose from.

Of course, there are lots of boat trips to the various inhabited and uninhabited islands, including scheduled services from St Mary's Boatmans Association, and more personal trips by smaller providers such as The Crusader (Paul Hicks). For more information and contact details, go to our travel page.

To see the islands from a unique perspective try an exhilarating rib ride with Island Sea Safaris.

There are also bus tours of St Mary's, including Island Rover (01720 422131, operates daily at 10.15 & 13.30) and the classic tour bus 'Katie bus'. These include commentaries about local history and places of interest. Bus tours leave from the strand in the centre of Hugh Town.

For the more energetic, you can explore St Mary's at your leisure by hiring a bike. There are now two options for bike hire: either collect a bike once you are here from St Mary's Bike Hire on the Strand (contact them on 07796 638506) or reserve a bike through Book a bike on Scilly (new for 2011 - 01720 422786 or 07887 841033) and they will deliver it to your holiday accommodation for you for free.

Guided walking tours of the Islands are also available.
Resident ornithologist and naturalist Will Wagstaff runs Island Wildlife Tours (01720 422212), offering a daily walk either on St Mary's or one of the off-islands. For daily itinerary, see Will's board on the quay.
Archaeologist Katharine Sawyer (01720 423326) leads archaeological and historical guided walk around St Mary's on a regular basis throughout the season.

       
      However you chose to explore, make sure you pay a visit to Carreg Dhu Community Garden in the centre of St Mary's.
     

   

Sporting and outdoor activities

There are facilities for many sporting activities on the islands, including football, tennis, squash, badminton, judo and cricket. A new 4-court Sports Hall is currently under construction (Spring/Summer 2011), which will offer several sports on a 'pay and play' basis when it opens in the Autumn of 2011.

Swimming is available at Normandy Pool (now an indoor pool), and a fitness centre (gym) is available at Carn Thomas. Both services are run by the Council of the Isles of Scilly (01720 422537) and are available to visitors .

Horse-riding is available at St Mary's Riding Centre - a purpose built stable yard near Pelistry. There is a nine hole golf course on St. Mary's which has wonderful views of all the other islands. Check out their website, or call them on 01720 422692 for more information.

The main local spectator sport is gig racing.

Scilly's crystal clear waters and conditions make it ideal for sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts, and for diving and snorkelling. It is also good for fishing, whether from the shore or from boats. Alec Hicks offers a range of boat fishing trips, which are suitable for experienced anglers or comlete beginners, and come highly recommended.

Information about fishing on Scilly is also available here, but please be aware that this is archived information (site not currently updated).

Caneoing, climbing and abseiling tuition and trips are offered by qualified provider Murray Hodgson, Avalon, St Mary's (01720 422641)

Scilly is a haven for birdwatchers, particularly in October when migratory birds visit the islands. For more information, check out our birdfile page

       
     

Library and internet access

The Public Library is located at Buzza Street, St Mary's. Tel 01720 423394

The library has a wide selection of books for loan, and also a small selection of CDs, videos and audio tapes. Visitors can borrow books using their mainland library card. Public internet access is available in the library.

Opening hours:
Monday - Thursday: 09.30 - 12.00 and 15.30 - 18.00
Friday and Saturday: 09.30 - 12.00

Internet access is also available at the following places - the Tourist Information Centre (Hugh Street), The Deli (WIFI, Hugh Street), The Boat Shed Bistro (Porthmellon), Tregarthen's Hotel, The Airport, and Longstone Centre.

       
     

Museum

The Isles of Scilly Museum, situated in Church Street, St Mary's holds a comprehensive collection of maritime, social and natural history of the islands. Tel 01720 422337

Bronze age artefacts - Then and Now photographs - Wild flowers - Nautical knots - 16th Century artefacts - Cargo from the Cita - Musical instruments - Hollandia Coins - Flotsam and jetsam - Barrel organ - Domestic pottery - Katie's kitchen - Weights and measures - Royal visists - Cannon muskets swords - Ships' bells - A fully rigged pilot gig built in 1877.

Entrance fee - Adults £2, Senior Citizens £1, Students £1, Children (5-16years) 50p

Opening times:
Easter - 30th Sept: Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 16.30
1st October - Easter: Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 12.00

       
     

Evening activities

The schedule of evening activities varies from week to week. Our diary page has details of the main events, but for a full weekly schedule collect a 'What's On in Scilly this week' leaflet from the TIC when you arrive, and make sure you look out for notices and posters around town.

The possibilities are likely to include all or some of the following:

  • Gig racing - Wednesdays (women) and Fridays (men). Boats usually leave St Mary's quay at 7.45pm
  • Evening boat trips - from St Mary's, these are usually every night to St Agnes, and Monday and Thursday nights to St Martin's. Plus special birdwatching trips etc.
  • Theatre Club performances - fortnightly through the summer.
  • Scillonian Entertainers - a variety show.
  • Regular slide shows - for example 'Scilly Through the Year', 'Underwater Journey', 'Scilly Through the Ages', 'Scilly Snaps', and 'Treasure Wrecks of Scilly'
  • Bingo and whist drive - weekly at the Scillonian club
  • Choral Society performances
  • Live music - local and visiting bands, at the various pubs on St Mary's and the off-islands.
  • Cellar Disco - Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights at Porthcressa Inn.
  • Visiting theatre companies, opera etc
       
     

Eating out

NB - if phoning from the mainland use Scillonia code 01720
       

   

Licensed restaurants and cafes

The Boat Shed, Porthmellon, St Mary's - 423881
Dibble and Grub, Porthcressa, St Mary's - 423719
Chez Michel, St Mary's - 422871
Pilot's Gig, St Mary's - 422654
The Galley, St Mary's - 422602
Old Town Cafe, St Mary's - 422045
Golf Club, St Mary's - 422692
Tolman Cafe, St Mary's - 422242
Airport Buffet, St Mary's - 422232
Juliet's Garden Restaurant, Porthloo, St Mary's - 422845
Covean Cottage, St Agnes - 422620
Polreath, St Martin's - 422046
Round Island Bar and Bistro, St Martin's on the Isle, St Martin's - 422092

Public Houses
Bishop and Wolf, St Mary's - 422790
Atlantic Inn, St Mary's - 422323
The Mermaid, St Mary's - 422701
Porthcressa Inn, St Mary's - 422405
Fraggle Rock, Bryher - 422222
Turk's Head, St Agnes - 422434
The Seven Stones, St Martin's - 423560
The New Inn, Tresco - 422844

Hotels with cocktail bars and restaurants open to the public
Atlantic Hotel, St Mary's - 422417
Bell Rock Hotel, St Mary's - 422575
Hotel Godolphin, St Mary's - 422316
Star Castle Hotel, St Mary's - 422317
Harbourside Hotel, St Mary's - 422352
Tregarthen's Hotel, St Mary's - 422540
The Island Hotel, Tresco - 422883
Tean restuarant, St Martin's on the Isle, St Martin's - 422092
Hell Bay Hotel, Bryher - 422947

Unlicensed restaurants and cafes
Kavorna Bakery, St Mary's - 422660
Little Arthur's Farm, St Martin's - 422457
Vine Cafe, Bryher - 423168
The Quay shop and cafe, New Grimsby, Tresco - 423266
Tresco Abbey Gardens Cafe, Tresco - 424116

Licensed Clubs - temporary membership required
Scillonian Club, St Mary's - 422720

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