Beach campsites in Isles of Scilly AONB with horseback riding
Sandy paths, wrap-around Atlantic views, and empty beaches make distant Scilly a back-to-nature beauty off the coast of Cornwall.
- Isles of Scilly AONB
Popular camping styles for Isles of Scilly AONB
Beach campsites in Isles of Scilly AONB with horseback riding guide
Overview
Hopping across to the go-slow Isles of Scilly off southwest Cornwall feels like leaving England far behind, though the mainland is under 30 miles away. Some 140 islands make up this wildly beautiful and historically fascinating archipelago, and only five are inhabited. It’s a world of secluded coves, lonely lighthouses, wonderfully scenic coastal footpaths, and beachy strands that appear like magic at low tide, and there are just a few camping spots and glamping lodges sprinkled around. Outdoor adventurers delight in hiking, swimming, diving, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and seal-spotting, not to mention sleeping under blissfully clear skies.
Where to go
St. Mary’s & Tresco
The liveliest and largest island in Scilly—with all the transport links, restaurants, and shops—St. Mary’s unveils far-flung bays, windswept headlands, and meandering paths running along the coast and across the wide-open countryside. Excellent swimming, snorkelling, diving, and birdwatching opportunities abound, while boats zip over to neighbouring Tresco, with its subtropical, 19th-century gardens and powdery, Caribbean-worthy beaches.
St. Martin’s
Famous for hosting some of England’s outstanding blonde-sand beaches, the northernmost of the inhabited Scilly Isles is a delight to explore, and it even has its own tiny winery. Hike between sandy strands; go swimming, snorkelling, and diving off the sweeping bays; get the campfire going under the stars; and feast on super-fresh seafood plucked from the surrounding Atlantic.
Bryher
Tiny, rugged, and remote Bryher feels worlds away from everything, even its sister Scillies. The fun here is all about wandering the coast-hugging paths, clambering up to superb viewpoints, wandering past rustic-charm cottages, enjoying the secluded sweeping beaches and rocky coves, and stocking up on fresh local produce at street-side stalls.
St. Agnes
If camping with impossibly beautiful views across a deserted white-sand beach and rustling up meals with ingredients fresh from local farms sounds like exactly your thing, seek out the southernmost of the populated Scilly Isles. As well as secluded coves, aquamarine views, and flower-filled fields, isolated St. Agnes is known for prehistoric burial sites and the dreamy low-tide sandbar running across to the even more isolated Gugh island.
