Island 47 - Bryher, Isles of Scilly

Bryher is situated to the west of Tresco and is home to about 83 people.  At very low spring tides it is possible to walk across to Bryher from Tresco.  There is a 4 mile footpath running round the perimeter of most of the island.  There is a hotel on the island, a couple of guest houses, some self-catering properties, a campsite  and a couple of cafés.

Fraggle Rock Bar

Wall outside Fraggle Rock

Hell Bay - north west coast

 - not looking very hell-like - looking towards Shipman Head

Hell Bay on a windy day

Bryher from Tresco with Cromwell's Castle in the foreground

Stained glass window, All Saints Church 2003

Four new stained glass windows, designed by Oriel Hicks were been installed in the church in 2014 and this painted glass window is no longer there.

All Saints Church

Stained glass window by Oriel Hicks

Stained glass window by Oriel Hicks

Stained glass window by Oriel Hicks

Stained glass window by Oriel Hicks

There are numerous prehistoric sites on the island, including over 100 burial cairns at Shipman Head Down at the north end of the island, chambered tombs on Samson Hill, hut circles on Heathy Hill and ancient field boundary walls at  Green Bay.  There are ruins of a post medieval watch house and coastguard lookout on Watch Hill.

During the English Civil War the Isles of Scilly were captured by Parliamentary troops and several gun batteries were built on the east coast to protect New Grimsby Harbour on Tresco from possible attack by the Dutch Navy.  Admiral Blake is reputed to have hanged several mutineers on Hangman's Island between Bryher and Tresco during the Civil War.  

After the Civil War people made a living from farming, fishing, kelp burning (the soda and potash, which was produced was used in the manufacture of glass and soap), smuggling, flower growing and acting as sea pilots.  Today the economy of the island is mainly reliant on tourism.  

The west coast of the island and its surrounding offshore rocks is a breeding place for a variety of sea birds.

There are 2 quays, which are used at different states of the tides - Church Quay and Anneka's Quay. Anneka's Quay was originally built in 1990 as part of the Challenge Anneka TV programme.  It was rebuilt in 2007.