Exploring St. Martin’s, Isles of Scilly
St. Martin’s (the third biggest island) is undoubtedly my favourite island out of them all.
It has everything; iridescently luminous waters, excellent walking trails, beautiful countryside and who could ignore the Seven Stones Inn?
The beaches on St. Martin’s are second to none and I’d spend all day, every day on them if I could. The most popular beach is probably Great Bay, it takes a little bit of a walk to get here but once you do, you could easily mistake yourself for being in the Caribbean. I say popular, but even on the busiest of summer days, you’ll be hard-pressed not to find a spot away from other tourists, for some reason it always seems empty, even though it definitely isn’t.
Other beaches include Lawrence’s Bay, Par Beach, Bread and Cheese Cove, and Little Bay.
The island has three main towns (Higher Town, Middle Town and Lower Town), two quays (Higher Town Quay and Hotel Quay in Lower Town) plus a number of charming farms and cottages dotted about.
As you stroll through the towns you’ll notice the local post office and although that doesn’t sound very adventurous, it’s actually worth a visit. There’s also a bakery full of delicious treats, an art gallery, churches and of course, a vineyard.
Things to do on St. Martin’s
Swimming
The beaches! Oh lord, the beaches, please take advantage of the beautiful beaches on St Martin’s and you never know, you could be the one grinning madly like a Cheshire cat. Although on a slightly less positive note, the sun might be shining and the water looks inviting but it’s still bloody freezing.
Scuba Diving
As a well-seasoned diver, I’m a fool for not doing this but yes, you can go scuba diving around St. Martin’s! I’ve been told that the visibility is exceptionally crystal-clear so if you’re up for seeing a different side to Scilly (literally) you need to do this.
I can’t seem to find a direct link for this so you may need to do a bit of digging click here
Need more water sports activities? Rent a kayak or paddle board!
Walking
This is a given really. The island is only 2 miles in length but there are plenty of trails around and within the island to explore.
Where to eat on St. Martin’s
Substantial and delicious pub food, locally caught lobster, beer on tap, idyllic views… what else do you need?
This beautiful little bakery is worth the stop and is a winner with locals and tourists alike. Every day there is freshly baked bread, traditional cornish pasties, homemade cake and other savoury treats.
This restaurant is part of Karma St. Martin’s Hotel, located in Lower Town. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner you can expect local and freshly caught seafood and gourmet dishes. Or if you’d rather have a lighter option they have afternoon tea and Cornish pasties too.
There’s quite a fair bit to do on St. Martin’s and I’m well aware I haven’t noted them all, so for more information and tips on how to plan your itinerary click here
And that’s my take on St. Martin’s - now on to St. Agnes!
