Hugh Town: Harbour, Beaches and Island History

Most visitors arrive in Hugh Town. By the water, you’ll find cafés and cosy pubs, along with views across the harbour. If you’re considering the town as a destination for your trip, it offers both ways to enjoy a stay by the water and opportunities to explore its architecture and island history.

Arriving and Finding Your Way

During the summer months, the St. Mary's Community Bus runs several times a day from Hugh Town. As the service is seasonal, check the current timetable for the season before you travel. From St. Mary's Quay, you can easily walk through Hugh Town to the Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Centre. If you plan to take this route, check the latest access information before your visit. The Tourist Information Centre sells tickets for boats between the islands and offers advice on island-hopping—a helpful resource if you’d like to find out about travel options between the islands.

Two Beaches, Different Activities

Porthcressa is one of the most accessible beaches from Hugh Town. There, sunbathing, stand-up paddleboarding and wild swimming offer different ways to spend time at the beach. Sea conditions vary. Town Beach by the quay has a different character: you can beachcomb and watch the activity around you. Porthcressa therefore combines beach time with activities on the water, while Town Beach is also a place to watch and collect.

Architectural History in Hugh Town

Among the town’s notable structures is The Pier, a listed quay with a breakwater and Grade II status. Hugh Town’s Town Hall was built by J. Goodfellow in 1889. The Star Castle Hotel also contributes to the town’s architectural history: it dates from 1593 and includes alterations from the late 17th century. These different dates provide a timeframe for structures that each tell their own stories in Hugh Town.

Hugh House connects two chapters in the history of the garrison. The building was constructed in 1792 as the garrison officers’ mess and later became the first residence of Augustus Smith, the islands’ Lord Proprietor. The Post Office offers a different architectural note, with a style that appears unusual and almost Alpine. If you’re interested in historic buildings and their varied functions, Hugh Town offers both a former military use and buildings from later centuries.

Garrison History and Crafts

The defences of Garrison Walls on St. Mary's have a 350-year history. The Powder House at Garrison Walls houses an exhibition about the history of the garrison. These two details offer different insights into the subject: the walls represent the long history of the defences, while the exhibition explores the history of the garrison.

In the centre of Hugh Town, Tamarisk displays fused-glass work, paintings, ceramics, feltwork and jewellery by artists from Scilly and Cornwall. The range spans glasswork and pictures to ceramics, textile work and jewellery. As the artists taking part may change, check the current selection if you’re hoping to see specific work.

Discover more destinations: Tresco, St. Mary’s.

View the main travel overview: Isles of Scilly.