St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

St Martin's Cornish: Brechiek
Cornwall
Aerial photo of St Martins
Location
Grid reference:	SV924341
Data
Population:	142

St Martin's is the northernmost populated island of the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall. Its name in Cornish was Brechiek, meaning "dappled island".

There are three main villages on the island, Higher Town, Middle Town and Lower Town, in addition to a number of scattered farms and cottages, with a total population (2001 census) of 142.

The island has one hotel, St Martin's On The Isle, and one pub, The Seven Stones, in Lower Town. Polreath guesthouse is located in Higher Town, and one campsite, between Lower Town and Middle Town is also present. There are quays at Higher Town (the Higher Town Quay, used at high tide) and at Lower Town (the Hotel Quay, used at low tide). A bakery, St. Martins Bakery, is located at Higher Town.

To the north, St Martin's is joined by a tidal causeway to White Island.

Daymark

The Daymark

At the northeast corner of the island is a large red-and-white daymark. It was erected in 1683 by Thomas Ekins, first steward of the Godophin Family to live on the islands.

It is a rendered granite circular tower 15' 9" in diameter and 21 feet high, set back to conical termination. The blocked arched entrance door contains an incorrect date of 1637. It was painted white until 1822 but by 1833 had been painted red, and is now painted in bands of red and white.

Church

There are two churches on St Martin's:

• St Martin's Church of England
• Methodist church

The Methodist church dates from around 1845 and is part of the Isles of Scilly Methodist Circuit.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about St Martin's, Isles of Scilly)

• Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust