Things to see and do on St. Mary's

Hire a bike


With largely traffic-free roads and gentle slopes, the Isles of Scilly are perfect for exploring under pedal power. Choose from a selection of bikes, cycling is suitable for all ages and the perfect way to enjoy St Mary’s at a leisurely or faster pace.

Take a boat trip


No visit to the islands is complete without a trip on the boats, whether it’s a wildlife tour or journey to one of the other islands; the thrill of island hopping is a huge part of the island experience. There are literally dozens of boat trips to choose from.

Walk the coast


St. Mary’s is criss-crossed by 30 miles of nature trails, paths and other walking routes. Discover hidden coves, ancient villages and archaeology as well as wildlife to view on the way. Simply follow the coast or book onto a guided tour.

Golf with a view


Said to be one of the best views from a golf course in the world, St. Mary’s golf course, at the Isles of Scilly Golf Club, is a challenging, 5,942-yard beauty. With its nine-hole layout, the St Mary’s golf club is easily playable on a day trip.

Local wine


Nestling in the middle of the island, St. Mary’s own vineyard and winery opens its doors from April until September for tours, lobster lunches… and wine tasting. The vineyard is a family run business, featuring a vast collection of wines from around the world as well as the locally grown Holy Vale wine. Booking is essential.

Phoenix arts


The popular Phoenix craft studios give you a chance to try your hand at a craft – it might be stained glass painting, lino printing, jewellery making or painting. The workshops are very popular with children, but everyone’s welcome. The Phoenix workshop is a co-operative made up of seven local artists.

Horse riding


For beginners or for the more experienced, the riding centre on St. Mary’s caters to all and is a great way to see the islands from a whole new perspective. The centre is approved by the British Horse Society and ran by friendly instructors, who can’t wait to show you what the Isles of Scilly has to offer from horseback.

Island history


Following the severe gales in 1962, residents on the islands found some remarkable Romano-British finds, the residents came together to establish a local museum. Today, the museum is full of curiosities, pictures and finds, giving you a glimpse of daily life on the islands from Roman times to the present day.

Sample itineraries

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Hire a golf buggy on St. Mary's


Fun Alternative to Car Hire

If walking and cycling seem a bit energetic, a golf buggy is a fun and easy way to explore the island in comfort. It’s something out of the ordinary for the whole family – and up to eight can ride – but be aware there are age limits on who can drive. What better way to see the best of St. Mary's then touring the sights in a golf buggy.

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Hire bikes and explore St. Mary's


Cycling Adventure on St Mary's

On St. Mary’s Island, you’ll be as close as the Isles of Scilly get to being busy. With beaches, shopping, countryside paths and coastal trails and with largely traffic-free roads and gentle slopes, the Isles of Scilly are perfect for exploring under pedal power.

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Walking route - St. Mary's


How long to walk around St Mary's Isles of Scilly?

St. Mary’s is criss-crossed by 30 miles of nature trails, paths and other walking routes. To see a snapshot of St. Mary’s, this walk will take you through tracks, lanes, woodland and across beaches. Read on for the full itinerary.

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Horse riding on the beach- St. Mary's


What to do on St Mary's Isles of Scilly?

Trotting across white sands, cantering along bridal paths and splashing in the bays – travelling on horseback is a wonderful way to experience the incredible coastal scenery around St Mary’s. And with the stables just a couple of miles from both the airport and the harbour, horse riding is the ideal activity if you’ve just arrived.

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Inspire me St. Mary's

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