Walk Scilly 2023

Now in its sixteeth year, the much loved annual walking festival ‘Walk Scilly’ returns for Walk Scilly 2023, running from Saturday the 15th to Friday the 21st of April 2023. Often considered the ‘opener’ for the islands main tourist season, the festival which celebrates the coastpaths, beaches, tracks, footpaths, fields, gardens and farmland of Scilly, offers visitors a chance to explore the archipelago through a series of carefully curated guided walks.

Of special note this year, the islands play host to Raynor Winn, author of the inspirational and moving book, ‘The Salt Path’, a story of resilience in the face of life-altering events. Despite her and husband Moth walking the entire South West Coast, the writer has never visited Scilly, so she will be exploting the ‘unwalked’ coast paths of the islands and hosting a book talk at Tregarthen’s hotel.

In addition, Molesworth & Bird, an independent Cornish-based business specialising in seaweed pressings, will be collaborating with St. Martin’s based organic seaweed skincare brand Phoenix & Providence, for foraging walks along the pristine shores, followed by pressing workshops.

As ever, reflecting the island’s intrinsic link to the natural world, wildlife and conservation feature prominently on the programme. Walks will include an informative stomp around St. Mary’s with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust’s CEO Juian Branscombe, resident ornithologist Will Wagstaff highlighting the abundance of widlife and nature on the tiny isle of Bryher, and the annual sell-out ‘Scilly Seabird and Seals’ – the walk with no technical footwear required. Board the MV Sapphire boat and join birder and academic Rob Lambert, in search of seals, dolphins, seabirds, waders and divers. Many of the established walks are so popular they return year after year, one such walk leader is resident Archeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer. Speaking on the historic significance of the islands’ bronze and iron age periods, these walks are particularly special given they offer access to several uninhabited islands, where visitors are not usually granted permission. Additionally, Head Gardener, Andrew Lawson and Garden Curator Mike Nelhams, of Tresco Abbey Garden, will be offering their expert knowledge at this world famous botanical island paradise.

The finale of the week is the much-loved Low-Tide event on the 20th April, between Tresco and Bryher. A truly unique experience, the sand bar revealed at low tide becomes the location for a short-term food and drink festival. Enjoy paella in crab shells and sipping on an island gin whilst the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Scilly Rockpool Safaris offer some educational family fun… before the tractor takes the tables, chairs and umbrellas away at the same time as the tide reclaims the ground underfoot.

For a 10% discount on travel to the islands for Walk Scilly Weekend, quote WALKSC2023 when booking www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk. Check in online at Visit Scilly for last-minute-availability on accommodation and other special offers between the 12th – 26th April.

View the Walk Scilly 2023 programme below.