A Guide to Walk Grades:
EASY
Easy stroll on road and path, generally level walking, no hills.
MODERATE
Fairly easy walk on paths but some will be uneven and narrow. There will also be some inclines; or some walking on beaches.
HARD
Fairly strenuous, several inclines/some hills and uneven, narrow paths (or when there is a beach landing off a boat); walking at a slightly faster pace. We estimate that most of the all-day walks (roughly 10.30am – 4.30pm with a lunch stop) are probably in the region of 5 or 6 miles.
TIC Assistance
If you have particular mobility issues, please contact the Tourist Information Centre and they will be happy to advise further.
T: 01720 620600 | info@visitislesofscilly.com Porthcressa Beach, St. Mary’s
Book Your Tickets Go to visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Friday 10th April
ST. AGNES
Shipwrecks of St. Agnes
Join local researcher Kate Hale on a half day walk around St. Agnes to hear the history of some of the island’s most noted shipwrecks dating back to the 1500s. Shipwrecks were a defining aspect of Scillonian life for hundreds of years and during this rare opportunity, Kate will point out the sites of the wrecks and tell you the sometimes sad, dramatic or heroic stories surrounding their demise. Poetry, artefacts and photographs animate the stories further. (Kate was previously Curator of the Isles of Scilly Museum).
Guide: Kate Hale
Time: 10.30am – 1.30pm. 3hr walk ends on St. Agnes
Participants to make their own way back to St. Mary’s
Meet: 9.45am St. Mary’s Quay Ticket Office or St. Agnes Quay 10.30am. Times might change due to tides
Max No People: 15
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Moderate (Includes a difficult/high style)
Cost: £20.00 (boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Saturday 11th April
TRESCO
Tresco
Through Time: A Half-Day
Heritage Walk
Explore Tresco’s rich past on this relaxed half-day walk across some of the island’s most evocative sites. We visit the Middle Down millstone, before heading to the Old Blockhouse, where coastal views and stories of island defence bring history to life. Crossing open downland, we pause at the site of a Bronze Age settlement, imagining life on Tresco thousands of years ago, and finish at the peaceful St Nicholas’ Church.
Blending archaeology, storytelling and classic island scenery, this gentle walk offers a rewarding journey through centuries of Tresco’s history.
Guides: Katharine Sawyer
Time: 10.45am - 1.15pm
Meet: New Grimsby Quay, Tresco at 10.45am (10.15am boat from St. Mary’s); the walk will finish at New Grimsby at about 1.15pm
Max No People: 30
Family Friendly: Yes Dogs Welcome: Yes, on leads
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: Adult £11.50 | Child (10-17yrs) £6.50 (boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Scilly at Dawn: A Five-Islands Odyssey
Join Scilly 60 Events for this multi-island experience. Your adventure begins in the quiet early hours at 05:30, setting off from St. Mary’s Quay under torchlight while the islands still sleep. You’ll loop the Garrison in darkness before hopefully witnessing a spectacular sunrise over the Eastern Isles as you round Peninnis Head.
After completing the full circumnavigation of St. Mary’s, the group will board a dedicated boat to continue the journey, exploring the coastal loops of St. Agnes, Bryher, Tresco, and St. Martin’s. Throughout the journey, Wez will guide the group, sharing stories from Scilly60 Events and insights from his many years of island adventures.
Guide: Wez Swain
Time: 5.30am
Meet: St. Mary’s Quay
Family Friendly: No
Dogs Welcome: No
Walk Grade: Hard
Cost: Check website for options
Booking: scilly60.co.uk
Sunday 12th April
SAMSON
Uninhabited Samson Uncovered:
From Bronze Age to Post-Mediaeval
Join island archaeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer for a fascinating journey into the history of Samson, the largest uninhabited island in the Isles of Scilly. You’ll explore evocative postmedieval houses and Bronze Age burial chambers, while enjoying stunning hilltop views across the islands.
Please note, there are no facilities on the island, and the visit involves a beach landing. Sturdy footwear is essential. Dog owners are responsible for getting their dog(s) from the boat to the dinghy and from the dinghy to the beach.
Guide: Katharine Sawyer
Time: 1.45pm – 4.45pm (arrive back at St. Mary’s approx. 5.15pm)
Meet: Meet at the Scilly Walks board on St. Mary’s Quay at 1.45pm to catch a 2pm boat
Max No People: 30
Family Friendly: Yes Dogs Welcome: Yes, on leads
Walk Grade: Hard - Includes beach landing off a boat
Cost: Adult £11.50 | Child (10-17yrs) £6.50 (boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
The Walk Scilly Festival provides a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set foot on these uninhabited, wildlife-filled islands and explore them on foot, as so few ever get to.
Sunday 12th April
BRYHER
Beyond Hell Bay: Bryher’s Shipwreck Tales
Join local researcher Kate Hale on a half day walk around Bryher to share the history of some of the island’s most noted shipwrecks, including the famous stranding of the SS Minnehaha beyond Hell Bay in 1910. Shipwrecks were a defining aspect of Scillonian life for hundreds of years and during this rare opportunity, Kate will point out the sites of wrecks, and relate the sometimes sad, dramatic or heroic stories associated with them. Poetry, artefacts, and photographs animate the stories further. (Kate was previously Curator of the Isles of Scilly Museum).
Guide: Kate Hale
Time: 10.30am – 1.30pm (3hrs) The walk will end on Bryher. Participants to make their own way back to St. Mary’s
Meet: 9.45am St. Mary’s Quay Ticket Office or Bar (Anneka’s) Quay, Bryher. Times subject to change due to tides
Max No People: 16
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: £20.00 (boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Sunday 12th April
Seals, Seabirds and People: A Journey into our Eco-Cultural Past
Join environmental historian Dr Rob Lambert plus a local SMBA skipper, on a marine meander inside the archipelago in search of Nature-People stories about breeding seabirds and Atlantic grey seals. This sea safari will focus on the seabird city of Mincarlo (Norrard Rocks) and the protected island of Annet. Dogs on leads welcome. Bring binoculars and a warm jacket. Trip will drop off on St. Agnes, with a ticket valid for return to St. Mary’s Quay later in the day on a SMBA boat.
Guide: Dr Rob Lambert
Time: 10.15am - 1pm
Meet: St. Mary’s Quay Ticket Office
Max No People: 50
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Easy - on a boat
Cost: Adult £24.00 | Child (under 16yrs) £12.00
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Monday 13th April
TEÄN
Secrets of Uninhabited Teän
A rare opportunity to explore this beautiful island with local archaeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer. Teän has a long history of occupation, and this walk will take in sites from the prehistoric period to the 20th century. You will visit a Bronze Age burial chamber, the early mediaeval chapel and cemetery and the remains of houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy the views from Great Hill. There are no facilities on the island and there will be a beach landing. Sturdy footwear is essential.
Guide: Katharine Sawyer
Time: 1.45pm to catch a 2pm boat. Return times to St. Mary’s approximately 5pm
Meet: Scilly Walks board on St. Mary’s Quay
Max No People: 30 Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes, on leads. Dog owners, be aware that you will be responsible for getting your dog(s) from the boat to the dinghy and from the dinghy to the beach
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: Adult £11.50 | Child (10-17yrs) £6.50 (boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Monday 13th April
Wild Bryher: A Naturalist’s Walk with Will Wagstaff
Join Will Wagstaff, Scilly’s resident naturalist, for a delightful walk exploring the wild beauty of Bryher. This gentle, all-day excursion takes you across the island’s diverse landscapes, searching for the nationally rare Dwarf Pansies that are found in the southern grasslands, to the migrant and resident birds that make the island their home. We’ll begin the day exploring the south end of Bryher in the morning, before heading to the northern half in the afternoon, taking time to enjoy the island’s scenery and wildlife along the way.
Guide: Will Wagstaff
Time: 10.30am - times subject to change due to tides
Meet: Bar (Anneka’s) Quay, Bryher
Max No People: 20
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes, on leads
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: £11.00 for half day | £22.00 for full day (lunch and boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Tuesday 14th April ST.
MARY’S
Restorative Sea & Sauna Experience with Adventure Scilly
Unwind after your walks as Bryony guides you through a reviving sea dip and wood-fired sauna session, enhanced with nourishing body scrubs and oils from Phoenix & Providence. The experience is perfectly rounded off with a cosy fire pit in the garden, soothing herbal teas or SC Dogs rum, and a selection of delightful sweet treats—the ultimate restorative escape.
Guide: Bryony Lishman
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Meet: Mincarlo
Max No People: 8
Family Friendly: No
Dogs Welcome: No
Walk Grade: N/A
Cost: £22.00
Booking: adventurescilly.as.me
Wednesday 15th April
ST. MARY’S
Through Time on St. Mary’s: Prehistoric to Historic
Sites
Join island archaeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer for a fascinating walk from Telegraph, visiting two of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in the islands: the Bant’s Carn entrance grave and the Halangy Down settlement. Along the way, you’ll explore additional prehistoric remains before returning to Hugh Town via the west coast of St. Mary’s, taking in later historical sites including an 18th-century kelp pit and the unfinished mid-16thcentury fort of Harry’s Walls.
Guide: Katharine Sawyer
Time: 10.15am - 1.15pm
Meet: Meet at Telegraph Hill (opposite Telegraph Tower) or
Bus Stop on Holgate’s Green to catch 10am bus
Max No People: 30
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: Adult £11.50 | Child (10-17yrs) £6.50 (bus fare not included)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Wednesday 15th April
ST. MARTIN’S
Shipwrecks of St.
Martin’s: Stories of Sea and Survival
Join local researcher Kate Hale on a half day walk around St. Martin’s to share the history of some of the island’s most noted shipwrecks, including the story of why the daymark was given its stripes. Shipwrecks were a defining aspect of Scillonian life for hundreds of years and during this rare opportunity, Kate will point out the sites of wrecks, and relate the sometimes sad, dramatic or heroic stories associated with them. Poetry, artefacts and photographs animate the stories further. (Kate was previously Curator of the Isles of Scilly Museum).
Guide: Kate Hale
Time: 10.15am St. Mary’s Quay Ticket Office or 10.45am at Lower town Quay, St. Martins
Meet: 10.45am – 1.45pm (3hrs). The walk will end on St. Martin’s.
Participants to make their own way back to St. Mary’s
Max No People: 16
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: £20.00 (boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Standing before the daymark on St. Martin’s, you can almost feel the history beneath your feet as it directs your gaze across the sparkling sea.
Wednesday 15th April TRESCO
Wild Tresco: Birds, Pools & Hidden Bays
Join Will Wagstaff, Scilly’s resident naturalist guide, for a full-day walk exploring the wildlife and landscapes of Tresco. In the morning, discover the waterfowl and flora around Great Pool and Abbey Pool. After a break at New Grimsby for lunch (not included), you’ll continue to the eastern side of the island, venturing through quiet fields and hidden bays in search of a variety of birds and other wildlife, guided by Will’s expert knowledge of the islands’ natural history.
Guide: Will Wagstaff
Time: Meet at Carn Near at 10:30am
Meet: 10:15am, St. Mary’s Quay. Boat times may change depending on tide
Max No People: 20
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes, on leads
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: £11.00 for half day | £22.00 for full day (lunch and boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Thursday 16th - Monday 20th
ST. MARY’S
Old Town Inn Beer and Cider Festival
Raise a glass at the Old Town Inn Beer and Cider Festival, celebrating the very best of locally crafted and Cornish drinks. Enjoy a wide selection of ales, ciders, and seasonal specials, alongside regular live music, entertainment, and events throughout the festival.
Whether you’re sampling new favourites or catching up with friends, this is the perfect opportunity to savour great drinks, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy a true island celebration.
Time: Open every day
Meet: Old Town Inn, Old Town Lane, Old Town
Cost: FREE
Booking and information: oldtowninn-scilly.co.uk
Thursday 16th April
TRESCO
Tresco Top to Toe
Join Head of Estate and Gardens Alasdair Moore for a day long tour of Scilly’s second largest isle. From the rich history of the island to the thriving flora, Alasdair will offer his expertise on Tresco life, its ongoing projects and plans for the future. Covering the south end of the island in the morning and the north end in the afternoon, you will certainly come away with a greater understanding of the island.
Please be aware that the walk covers steep, rocky and uneven ground so please wear suitable footwear and appropriate outdoor clothing.
Guide: Alasdair Moore
Time: 10am - approx 4pm
Meet: Meet at Carn Near
Max No People: 20
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: No
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: £35.00 - Includes sandwich/soup at The New Inn
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Thursday 16th April
ST. MARY’S
Voices from the Past
Join the island Churches and the Isles of Scilly Museum for a walking history tour, where they’ll share a fascinating selection of stories from Old Town Churchyard. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history of the area and uncover the stories behind the memorials that have stood for generations.
Thanks goes to Lindsay and Brian Sandford, whose dedicated research into the memorials of Old Town Churchyard has been invaluable in bringing these stories to life.
Locals and visitors alike will find this walk engaging and informative, with its deep connections to the heritage and community of the Isles of Scilly.
Guide: Lydia Bassett and Elizabeth Burke
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Meet: At the church door of Old Town Church
Max No People: 20
Family Friendly: Yes Dogs Welcome: Yes, on leads
Walk Grade: Easy - Short walk on paths with mild slopes and some uneven ground
Cost: FREE. Donations to the island churches much appreciated ioschurches.co.uk/donate
Booking: iosmuseumandculturalcentre.org
Friday 17th April
ST. MARY’S
Salakee Farmyard Fun & Easter Adventure
Get ready for a fun-filled family adventure at the Salakee Farm! Follow the trails around the farm, meet the friendly Salakee Farmers, and discover what life is really like on the farm. Take part in an exciting Easter Egg Hunt, meet a variety of animals, and get creative with craft activities in the Old Barn.
There’s plenty to enjoy for all ages, including cakes and drinks (bring a little money), plus lots of extra hands-on activities to keep the whole family entertained. It’s the perfect way to spend a day outdoors, connecting with nature, learning, and making memories together!
Come prepared with wellies and weather-appropriate clothing — the event will go ahead rain or shine!
Guide: Meriel Williams / Kylie Carter
Time: 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Meet: Salakee Farm, St. Mary’s - top of Salakee track (roadside)
Max No People: 40
Family Friendly: Yes Dogs Welcome: No
Walk Grade: Easy
Cost: £5.50 per family. (Up to 6 children per adult and people can bring one another’s children)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Friday 17th April
TRESCO
Tresco Low Tide Event: a celebration on the sand bar
Experience a truly unique Scillonian celebration, where nature and culture meet on a golden sandbar usually hidden beneath 20 feet of sea. These extraordinary low tide events between Tresco and Bryher transform the exposed sand into a pop-up festival playground, offering a chance to celebrate the islands, the sea, and the fleeting magic of the tides. Whether enjoying music, activities, or simply the awe-inspiring scenery, visitors take part in a rare and unforgettable connection with Scilly’s natural wonders. In addition to Friday’s festival, there are also walkable tides on Saturday 18th (1.20pm low tide) and Sunday 19th (2pm low tide) if you’d like to traverse the sand bar without the pop-up event.
Time: Low tide (12.40pm)
Meet: The channel between Tresco and Bryher
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Easy
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up! Go to tresco.co.uk for further info
Friday 17th April ST. MARY’S
Restorative Sea & Sauna Experience with Adventure Scilly
Unwind after your walks as Bryony guides you through a reviving sea dip and wood-fired sauna session, enhanced with nourishing body scrubs and oils from Phoenix & Providence. The experience is perfectly rounded off with a cosy fire pit in the garden, soothing herbal teas or SC Dogs rum, and a selection of delightful sweet treats—the ultimate restorative escape.
Guide: Bryony Lishman
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Meet: Mincarlo
Max No People: 8
Family Friendly: No
Dogs Welcome: No
Cost: £22.00
Booking: adventurescilly.as.me
Saturday 18th April
ST. MARY’S
Tides and Textures: A Seaweed Celebration
Talks, Art & Workshops:
Artist Abigail Reynolds – shares an update on creating glass for the new Museum and Cultural Centre from sand and seaweed.
Historian Jess Vian – explores the impact of the 19th-century kelping industry on the islands.
Ella McLachlan (Phoenix & Providence) – discusses her seaweed-based skincare, made locally on St. Martin’s.
Artist Grace Pehlivanova (Island Press) – leads a seaweed pressing workshop, allowing participants to create their own seaweed art.
A perfect mix of art, history, craft, and hands-on creativity celebrating Scilly’s seaweed heritage.
Guide: Isles of Scilly Museum and Cultural Centre
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Meet: The Lantern, Old Town Inn
Max No People: 50
Family Friendly: Yes Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: N/A
Cost: FREE, donations to Isles of Scilly Museum very welcome
Booking: Booking not required but information at iosmuseumandculturalcentre.org/arts-events
Through the Eyes of an Islander
Join Anna Browne, owner of St. Martin’s Watersports and local resident for over 25 years to explore her favourite paths and vantage points across St. Martin’s on this half day walk. You’ll cover Top Rock, flower fields and some of Europe’s finest beaches, as she shares her stories of what it’s like living as an islander on a remote archipelago. The walk will also include a visit to the Community Observatory and finishes with a light lunch at the Sevenstones Inn (extra). To extend your day even further, from 2.30pm, join owner Andrew for a Distillery Tour of SC Dogs. Anna can take you to your venue before you depart for the boat back to St. Mary’s.
Guide: Anna Browne
Time: 10.45am - 1.45pm
Meet: 10.45 Lower Town Quay, St. Martin’s
Max No People: 20
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Moderate
Cost: £15.00 (boat and lunch not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Saturday 18th April
ST. MARY’S
Scilly’s Maritime Memories: A Guided Walk on St. Mary’s
Join local researcher Kate Hale on a 3-hour walk around Hugh Town and the coast of St. Mary’s to explore Scilly’s social history through its shipwrecks. Wrecks shaped Scillonian life for centuries, and Kate will highlight key sites, memorials, and buildings tied to the islands’ maritime past. Starting at the Star Castle Hotel, the walk follows the coast to Peninnis Lighthouse, the medieval Old Town Church, and ends at Porth Hellick to see Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s memorial after the 1707 Association disaster. Poetry, artefacts, and photographs bring the stories to life. This walk is dedicated to Richard Larn OBE, Kate’s mentor.
Guide: Kate Hale
Time: 10am, the walk ends at Porth Hellick, where you will be free to continue your walk, or return to Hugh Town under your own steam
Meet: Outside Star Castle Hotel
Max No People: 16
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Easy/Moderate (a couple of standard styles and some short steep inclines)
Cost: £20.00
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Saturday 18th April
ST. MARY’S
Walk Scilly Street Food Pop-up
Join us for a laid-back evening street food pop-up as part of Walk Scilly. Savour a hand-picked selection of local vendors serving fresh, flavour-packed dishes and drinks, ideal for refuelling after a day of island adventures. With delicious food, stunning coastal views, and a warm, friendly community atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to unwind and celebrate a day spent exploring the beauty of the Isles of Scilly.
Time: 5pm - 7:30pm
Meet: Holgates Green
Family Friendly: Yes
Dogs Welcome: Yes, on leads
Cost: Just turn up!
Sunday 19th April
TRESCO
The Beehive Tour and Taster
Met by island Beekeeper Jilly Halliday, you’ll explore the lives of the Scilly Bees. Starting in the nectar rich gardens, learn about the hives that thrive amidst the flora there. Jilly will inform you about the Scilly Bee Project and wider bee community and you will finish with a taste of the fine golden honey and a Q&A at Tresco Abbey Garden.
Guide: Jilly Halliday
Time: 11am - 1pm
Meet: Tresco Abbey Garden entrance
Max No People: 12
Family Friendly: Yes (up to 6 children)
Dogs Welcome: Yes
Walk Grade: Easy
Cost: £28 (boat ticket not included - buy your tripper boat tickets at the Tourist Information Centre)
Booking: visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
