7 Museums in Isles of Scilly That You Shouldn't Miss

Exhibits of local interest from pre-history to the present day: the Romano-British brooches and coins from Nornour; the Bryher Sword and Mirror; the Civil War in Scilly; finds from many shipwrecks; model boats; collections of birds, shells and clay pipes; an old Scillonian kitchen and much, much more. The Museum is in Church Street, Hugh Town, St Mary's, half-way between the Town Hall and the Parish Church. We have an excellent reference library and a growing collection of family history records, accessible to the public by appointment with the Curator.

The sub-tropical Abbey Garden is a glorious exception; a perennial Kew without the glass, home to thousands of exotic plants from around the world flourishing right here on the Isles of Scilly... Here off the coast of Cornwall, spring comes early, autumn stays late and winter hardly exists at all. Truly a subtropical paradise, Tresco Abbey Garden is brimming with plants that would stand no chance at all just 30 miles away on the Cornish mainland. The beautiful garden, built in the 19th century around the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey, is home to species from across the world’s Mediterranean climate zones, from Brazil to New Zealand and Burma to South Africa. It’s quite easy to while away a day meandering among sheltered glades of tree ferns or strolling along sunny terraces, gazing out across the borders to the ocean views beyond. Even non-gardeners cannot fail but wonder at the array of scents, sights and sounds that await around every corner.

The Phoenix Craft Workshops comprise seven creative businesses under one roof. All the artists and craftspeople make their own, original work which they sell direct to the public. Any purchases are very well packed to take back to the mainland! Many of these artists also teach their skills to people visiting the studios, both adults and children. You can learn silk painting, stained glass, beaded jewellery or ceramic painting. Prices start from £8.50. It is advisable to phone beforehand if you would like to participate in a class, but it is sometimes possible to just drop in on the offchance. The workshops are only 10 minutes walk from the centre of town, or 15 from the quay. (You can use the Tripadvisor app to locate them.).

Glandore Gallery is a small beach side studio, gift shop and gallery on the Isles of Scilly offering work by artist, Stephen Morris.