St Martin's & the Isles of Scilly

St Martin's is the third largest island in the Isles of Scilly, a beautiful archipelago situated just 28 miles off the Cornish coast.
Scilly has a population of around 2000 people and our climate benefits from the warmth of the gulf stream.
There are miles of golden white sandy beaches and our isolation has maintained a relaxed, friendly way of life making Scilly the perfect get away destination.
St Martin's is the first island you see, with its distinguishing red and white Daymark, when crossing from the mainland by air or sea. For the visitor who wants a quiet holiday we have much to offer but there's plenty to do for those who are wanting to do more than relax on the beach. 
There is a choice of some of the finest sandy beaches with safe bathing and secluded coves, many interesting walks along the coastal paths and downs where purple heather and golden gorse grow in profusion or walk along our self built roadway along the island.
The folk of St Martin's are industrious people and there are plenty of arts, crafts and things to do throughout your holiday. There are several places to eat and drink and the well stocked St Martin's Stores has everything you could need.
Throughout the spring the island is covered in beautiful narcissi and daffodils and the weather is often mild. At the start of May Scilly hosts the World Pilot Gig Championships which is a spectacular sight and a great fun weekend.
The summer is, of course,  the peak tourism season for St Martin's but even then the beaches remain uncrowded and you can often find a secluded cove all to yourself.  Although we are not immune to the vagaries of the great British weather, Scilly can boast the highest number of hours of sunshine in the UK.  When the sun is shining and the sea is glistening there's nowhere better to be. 
St Martin's is all about enjoying life's simple pleasures, the feel of the sparkly Scilly sand between your toes as you spend the day on the beach, messing about in boats, hunting for the perfect shell, rock pooling and enjoying an ice cream. If all this relaxing gets too much then you can always hop on a boat and explore another island.  
As the Autumn approaches St Martin's begins to wind down and enjoy an even more relaxed pace of life. September and October are popular months with bird watchers and those who are simply wanting a peaceful and relaxed getaway. The quiet, unspoilt beaches are a perfect place to rest and unwind or experience a stunning sunset as the days draw to a close. September sees one of the lowest tides of the year and the Scilly Sea Swim Challenge allows the brave at heart to walk/swim between the islands. We are usually lucky enough to still be basking in sunshine but for those more wild days the sight of the waves crashing against the shores can be quite spectacular. Come prepared for all weathers and you will be sure to make the most of an Autumn break. 
At some point in October we normally have our first 'big blow' this storm marks the start of winter.  Life on St Martin's certainly doesn't grind to a halt in the winter months. From October the flowers Scilly is famous for, scented narcissi, start to be picked and sent to the mainland. Although there are few visitors at  this time those that do come are made very welcome.  This is a perfect time of year to enjoy breezy walks and the cosy fire at the pub.