Visiting St Mary’s, United Kingdom: Top Sights on Foot

St Mary’s is the largest inhabited island of the Isles of Scilly, situated roughly 45 km south‑west of Land’s End in the Atlantic Ocean. The island blends prehistoric standing stones, a 16th‑century star fort, historic churches and the bustling harbour town of Hugh Town, giving visitors a mix of ancient heritage and relaxed coastal life. Neywo offers a free audio guide for St Mary’s with 12 narrated places, letting you discover each site at your own pace.

Discover the island’s highlights

The Long Rock

This solitary menhir rises from the open landscape as a prehistoric marker erected thousands of years ago. Its plain, unadorned form invites contemplation of the community that raised it and the purpose it once served.

Star Castle

Built in 1593 amid fears of a Spanish invasion, Star Castle is a star‑shaped fort that reflects the military concerns of the late Elizabethan era. Its thick walls and angular design were intended to defend the Isles of Scilly from seaborne threats.

Isles of Scilly Museum

As of 2025 the museum does not occupy a single building; instead, selected artefacts are displayed in various locations across the islands, allowing visitors to encounter the collection while exploring different villages and sites.

Porth Hellick Down Burial Chamber

This entrance grave dates back to the islands’ earliest settlers. Situated on the north‑western slopes of Porth Hellick Down, the chamber is surrounded by remnants of an ancient farming landscape, offering a glimpse into both burial practices and early agriculture.

Innisidgen

Perched on a steep hillside overlooking Crow Sound, Innisidgen comprises two Bronze Age entrance graves known as Upper and Lower Innisidgen. Each monument is distinct, and together they reveal details about the rituals and daily life of the island’s prehistoric inhabitants.

Coastguard’s Look Out Tower (Telegraph Tower)

The stone tower above Hugh Town’s harbour was erected between 1814 and 1816 and is Grade II listed. It once served as a signal station for the Admiralty, forming part of a coastal communication network that relayed messages across the surrounding seas.

Woolpack Battery

An 18th‑century artillery battery, Woolpack Battery illustrates the islands’ later coastal defences. The site provides a tangible sense of how soldiers once watched the horizon for approaching ships.

Church of St Mary (Methodist)

Located in Hugh Town, this modest place of worship has served the local Methodist community for generations. The building is Grade II listed, recognising its architectural and historic interest.

St Mary’s Church

Consecrated on 7 September 1838, this Church of England parish church replaced an older structure in Old Town to accommodate Hugh Town’s growing population and address the need for repairs.

St Mary’s Old Church

Nestled in Old Town, this ancient parish church offers a quiet, atmospheric setting worth a leisurely wander. It is also known as the Old Church of St Mary the Virgin or the Old Town Church, reflecting its long‑standing role in the community.

Hugh Town

The island’s main settlement sits on the isthmus linking the Garrison peninsula to the rest of St Mary’s. Hugh Town hosts shops, hotels, banks, pubs, a small hospital, beaches and a marina, with St Mary’s Airport a short distance away. Until 1949 the land was held by the Duchy of Cornwall, after which it was sold directly to residents; the harbour remains under Duchy control. Each May Day bank holiday weekend (the first weekend in May) the town welcomes the World Pilot Gig Championships, with crews basing themselves in the bays of St Mary’s Pool.

Explore with Neywo

Neywo provides one self‑guided walking tour in St Mary’s: “Fortress, Parish and Prehistoric Grave: Across St Mary’s”. The route covers 5.27 km, takes about 108 minutes and includes six narrated stops—Woolpack Battery, Star Castle, Church of St Mary (Methodist), St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Old Church and Porth Hellick Down Burial Chamber. In addition, the free audio guide features 12 narrated places across the island. As you reach each location, the app plays the relevant story, allowing you to move at your own pace without a group or a fixed schedule. The narration is available in 11 languages, making the experience accessible to a wide range of visitors.

To start your adventure, download the Neywo app, select the St Mary’s walking tour, and let the islands’ stories unfold as you walk.

For further reading about the region, see our guides to England and the United Kingdom, or explore nearby destinations such as Stamford, St Ives and Stratford-upon-Avon.