Description St Agnes, Isles of Scilly

the sandbar st. agnes gugh

st agnes joins island of gugh tombolo, kind of sandbar, called gugh bar, exposed @ low tide. gugh inhabited, 3 residents. 2 islands of st agnes , gugh have population of 85 residents recorded in 2011 census (73 recorded in 2001 census) , landmass of 366 acres (148 ha). without gugh included, st agnes marginally smaller bryher in either population or area; if gugh included st agnes, bryher marginally smaller in area , population.

in earlier times many men st agnes earned living pilots, guiding transatlantic liners , other vessels through english channel. mainstay of economy tourism, bulb farming. accommodation limited, , st agnes populated island in isles of scilly has no hotel. however, has few b&bs , self-catering cottages, ice cream shop, campsite, small post office & general store , gift shop. has pub (the turk s head) , cafe, although these closed in winter.

the main population centre in north , middle of island. southern end of island covered heather moorland of wingletang down.

lighthouse

the island s notable landmark lighthouse, has been converted living accommodation , tower no longer contains light. in 1680 trinity house began survey of coasts of england known contemporary charts inaccurate; isles of scilly plotted ten miles north. trinity house given permission erect , maintain 1 or more lighthouses on islands. st agnes chosen westerly of inhabitable islands , close collection of rocks, tidal flows , currents, known western rocks. built in 1680 , coal fired until 1790, when converted oil, copper lamps , twenty-one revolving reflectors. plaque records original construction captains hugh hill , simon bayly, builders of 1676 lowestoft lighthouse. there 2 protests against building of st agnes light. officials isle of wight complained lose revenue harbour dues , victualling shipping prefer use isles of scilly, , governor of scilly on grounds lose money wrecks!

the lighthouse of 1680



the turk s head, pub on st. agnes



a rock formation on south west side of st. agnes looks elephant



periglis cottage, home of hilda m. quick

the st. agnes lighthouse second built in western approaches (after lizard lighthouse of 1619). stands 74 above ground, , 138 above mean high water. superseded in 1911 peninnis lighthouse , st agnes lighthouse serves daymark shipping. peninnis lighthouse 17 metre tall black , white steel lattice tower situated on southern extremity of st. mary s island. range reduced 17nm 9nm under trinity house 2010 aids navigation review. light source employed led.

other landmarks

other landmarks include standing stone known nag s head (probably natural formation) , so-called troytown maze pebble maze thought of medieval date. in 1707, many of sailors had drowned in great naval disaster off isles of scilly reputedly buried on st agnes playing field.