Things to do in St Agnes

St Agnes, the southernmost inhabited island in the Scilly Isles, offers a diverse range of activities that promise to enchant visitors. A haven for nature enthusiasts and history lovers alike, St Agnes boasts rugged coastlines, stunning coves, and charming villages. Explore the pristine beauty of the island on foot, discovering its tranquil beaches and hidden gems, or delve into its past by visiting historic sites such as the lighthouse. For food lovers, sample local delicacies at cafes and pubs, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the Troytown Farm, known for its artisanal ice cream. This guide covers St Agnes’s must-see attractions, ensuring an unforgettable island adventure.

Walk around St Agnes, Scilly

A generally easy graded seven-kilometre coast path that takes in most of the island’s highlights. It starts at the Quay, where the inter-island boat arrives, passes The Bar across to Gugh then takes in the wind-pruned heath of Wingletang Down at the southern tip of St Agnes and the fantastical granite outcrops, including Nags Head. The wild west coast feels within touching distance of the fearsomely jagged Western Rocks and the swirling bird colonies of Annet. Troytown Farm and Campsite provides a great opportunity for refreshments before a walk out to tidal Burnt Island and then on around the north part of St Agnes to return. The walk around St Agnes, Scilly, takes 3 hours, so there is plenty of time to do it in a day trip from St Mary’s.

Ice cream from one of the smallest dairy herds in the country

One of the joys of life is swinging gently from the fishing net-hammock strung between two rocks above the shoreline on Troytown Farm and deciding which ice cream from among the thirty flavours to try next – rose geranium, Baileys or chocolate and cherry? Troytown Farm is the only dairy farm in Scilly and, with only nine milking Jersey and Ayrshire cows, it may also be the smallest in the country. Grazing on the island’s lush grasslands full of birdlife, butterflies and flowers, the milk they produce must be good for you. Butter, clotted cream and deliciously creamy yoghurt are also available. www.troytown.co.uk

Camp and watch the sun go down

Troytown Campsite is beachside camping about as wild as it gets but within easy walking distance of The Turks Head for good food and beer, local cafes and restaurants and a farm shop on-site that sells home-grown vegetables. Pitch up freestyle with your own tent or rent one of the site’s bell tents and rest your head on the last inhabited land before the Atlantic Ocean – although this isn’t for the faint-hearted on a stormy night. In the evening sit on the campsite beach and gaze out at the Western Rocks and the lighthouse at Bishop Rock; with incredible sunsets and starry nights you won’t want to be anywhere else in the world.

Protected coves in St Agnes

Snorkel in St Agnes in The Cove

This magical hidden cove, just south of The Bar across to Gugh, is fringed by fragrant trees and shrubs. The talc-white sand beach gives way to rocks of the seabed and makes a perfect spot for snorkelling and rockpooling at low tide. For refreshments The Turks Head is just a short walk away.

Devils Punchbowl – a granite formation on Wingletang Down

Walk around Wingletang Down

This wild southern headland is a fascinating boulder-strewn landscape held together by wind-pruned heather dotted with plant life that can be found nowhere else in the UK. The weathered granite outcrops form weird and wonderful shapes that animate the landscape, with Nags Head (grid reference: SV 877 078) probably the most remarkable. Standing at 4.5 metres tall this ancient stone has an extremity that looks like an old horse’s head.

Explore St Warna’s Well

To the north-west of Wingletang Down, above Porth Warna, a stone-lined well (grid reference: SV 880 078) dedicated to St Warna is the only holy well on the Isles of Scilly. St Warna was a saint from Ireland whose role was thought to direct ships away from the rocks. Occasionally, during hard times, islanders were thought to have made offerings to the well in the hope that her protection would fail and the goods from the wrecked ships could be plundered. 

Troy Town Maze

South of the campsite, on Long Point, the seven-ring turf and stone maze is thought to have been originally made on the shore to protect sailors by sending them fair winds; its structure is a common occurrence throughout Europe. The current maze is thought to be the work of Amor Clarke, a lighthouse keeper on the island in the 1790s, but excavations in the 1980s uncovered a much older maze on the site. It is a magical place for a full moon foray and impossible to get lost, as there are no dead ends.

An island murder mystery

St Agnes’ squat lighthouse is visible from most points on the island. The light, originally a coal fire in an open casket, is one of Britain’s earliest lights but the building holds a dark secret. Two squabbling keepers tended the light but one disappeared without explanation one night. He was found forty years later buried beneath the foundations of the lighthouse buildings, identified only by his teeth. It is also said that this light was deliberately involved in wrecking, so there may be more than one ghost.

The Turks Head Inn

A characterful pub inside with a terraced garden offering beautiful views across the small harbour of Porth Conger to the island of Gugh. The inn is a destination in itself – evening boat trips are often run to the inn from St Mary’s – as well as being a great pitstop for a refreshing pint while you wait for the ferry or simply sit and watch the island’s comings and goings.

Walk from St Agnes to Gugh

A walk across the sandbar from St Agnes to Gugh is a highlight of Scilly. Only attempt crossing 2 hours either side of low tide, and never cross The Bar if any water covers it as the currents are fierce. Check the tide times for Gugh here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/10/1

Old man of Gugh