Eastern Isles

Island Group in Cornwall

England

Eastern Isles

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Trig pillar Credit: Alex McGregor

Eastern Isles is a group of small islands located off the coast of Cornwall, England. Comprising of five islands, namely Great Ganilly, Little Ganilly, Great Arthur, Little Arthur, and St. Helen's, this archipelago is a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

The largest island, Great Ganilly, boasts stunning sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, offering visitors breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Little Ganilly, located just south of Great Ganilly, is a haven for birdwatchers, as it is home to various species of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.

Great Arthur and Little Arthur, the two smallest islands, are privately owned and not accessible to the public. However, they are known for their historical significance, with remnants of ancient settlements and Bronze Age burial sites.

St. Helen's, the easternmost island of the group, is renowned for its diverse wildlife and rich marine ecosystem. The waters surrounding St. Helen's are a designated Marine Conservation Zone, providing protection for the numerous species of fish, seals, and dolphins that inhabit the area.

Access to the Eastern Isles is primarily by boat, with regular ferry services operating from nearby St. Mary's Island. Visitors can explore the islands on foot, taking in the picturesque landscapes and enjoying the tranquility of this remote location. It is important to note that certain areas of the islands may be restricted during bird nesting seasons to protect the local wildlife.

In conclusion, Eastern Isles in Cornwall offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of untouched nature, observe a variety of wildlife, and immerse oneself in the rich history of the region.

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Eastern Isles Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.949788/-6.2581016 or Grid Reference SV9414. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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A track on eastern St Martin’s The track runs uphill from the eastern end of Higher Town Bay to the Chapel Down and the Daymark.
A track on eastern St Martin’s
The track runs uphill from the eastern end of Higher Town Bay to the Chapel Down and the Daymark.
The Daymark From within the ruins of the Admiralty signal station of  1805.

The signal station is included in the Scheduled Monument comprising the whole of Chapel down and is described thus:

In 1804, an Admiralty signal station was built on northern Chapel Down to communicate with naval vessels by signal mast and to report on enemy shipping movements. It was decommissioned in 1815, superseded by semaphore operated from St Mary's. Its main building stands to 2.3m high in the north of a subrectangular enclosure 38m long, NNW-SSE, by up to 21m wide.

List Entry Number:1016508  <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016508?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1016508?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The Daymark is separately listed Grade II*

List Entry Number:1141204 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141204?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141204?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The Daymark
From within the ruins of the Admiralty signal station of 1805. The signal station is included in the Scheduled Monument comprising the whole of Chapel down and is described thus: In 1804, an Admiralty signal station was built on northern Chapel Down to communicate with naval vessels by signal mast and to report on enemy shipping movements. It was decommissioned in 1815, superseded by semaphore operated from St Mary's. Its main building stands to 2.3m high in the north of a subrectangular enclosure 38m long, NNW-SSE, by up to 21m wide. List Entry Number:1016508 LinkExternal link The Daymark is separately listed Grade II* List Entry Number:1141204 LinkExternal link
St Mary's Harbour Pilot Boat in Crow Sound
St Mary's Harbour Pilot Boat in Crow Sound
Isles of Scilly, Eastern Isles from Crow Sound The large island in the background is St Martin's.
Isles of Scilly, Eastern Isles from Crow Sound
The large island in the background is St Martin's.
Isles of Scilly. Little Ganinick One of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Part of the larger island of Great Ganinick (with more vegetation) can be seen behind (and slightly to the right of) Little Ganinick.
Isles of Scilly. Little Ganinick
One of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Part of the larger island of Great Ganinick (with more vegetation) can be seen behind (and slightly to the right of) Little Ganinick.
Isles of Scilly, Great Arthur Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three.
Isles of Scilly, Great Arthur
Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three.
Isles of Scilly, Rocky Ledge between Middle and Great Arthur Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three.
Isles of Scilly, Rocky Ledge between Middle and Great Arthur
Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three.
Isles of Scilly, Middle Arthur Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three.
Isles of Scilly, Middle Arthur
Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three.
Middle Arthur, Arthur Quay Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three.

The three rocky islands are joined by two beaches forming a crescent around Arthur Porth.
Middle Arthur, Arthur Quay
Great, Middle and Little Arthur are three of the Eastern Isles, a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great Arthur, as its name suggests, is the largest of the three. The three rocky islands are joined by two beaches forming a crescent around Arthur Porth.
Rocky Shore, Little Ganilly Little Ganilly (Cornish: Goonhyli Bian, little salt water down) lies just to the north of Little Arthur.
Rocky Shore, Little Ganilly
Little Ganilly (Cornish: Goonhyli Bian, little salt water down) lies just to the north of Little Arthur.
Great Ganilly, West Porth Great Ganilly (Cornish: Goonhyli Meur) is the largest of the Eastern Isles and consists of two hills joined together by a low sandy neck.
Great Ganilly, West Porth
Great Ganilly (Cornish: Goonhyli Meur) is the largest of the Eastern Isles and consists of two hills joined together by a low sandy neck.
Isles of Scilly, Nornour Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It lies to the north of Great Ganilly to which it is joined by a boulder causeway at low tide. There is a small area of heath on the hill with heather and bell heather.
Isles of Scilly, Nornour
Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It lies to the north of Great Ganilly to which it is joined by a boulder causeway at low tide. There is a small area of heath on the hill with heather and bell heather.
Rocky Ledge between Nornour and Great Ganilly Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It is connected to Great Ganilly by a boulder causeway during low tide. The pyramidal island in the background is Hanjague, which is approximately 1 kilometre away.
Rocky Ledge between Nornour and Great Ganilly
Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It is connected to Great Ganilly by a boulder causeway during low tide. The pyramidal island in the background is Hanjague, which is approximately 1 kilometre away.
The Eastern Isles, Nornour Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It lies to the north of Great Ganilly and is connected to it by a boulder causeway that is visible only during low tide. There is a small area of heath on the hill with heather and bell heather.
The Eastern Isles, Nornour
Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It lies to the north of Great Ganilly and is connected to it by a boulder causeway that is visible only during low tide. There is a small area of heath on the hill with heather and bell heather.
Isles of Scilly, Nornour Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It lies to the north of Great Ganilly to which it is joined by a boulder causeway at low tide.
Isles of Scilly, Nornour
Nornour (Cornish: Ar No) consists of one hill covered in bracken. It lies to the north of Great Ganilly to which it is joined by a boulder causeway at low tide.
Rocks on the North Coast of Nornour The Eastern Isles (Cornish: Enesow Goonhyli) are a group of twelve small uninhabited islands  located to the south–east of St Martin's. The islands lie within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, part of the Scilly Heritage Coast and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) first designated in 1971 for its flora and fauna (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Isles" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Isles">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Wikipedia).
Rocks on the North Coast of Nornour
The Eastern Isles (Cornish: Enesow Goonhyli) are a group of twelve small uninhabited islands located to the south–east of St Martin's. The islands lie within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, part of the Scilly Heritage Coast and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) first designated in 1971 for its flora and fauna (LinkExternal link Wikipedia).
Isles of Scilly, Nornour The Eastern Isles (Cornish: Enesow Goonhyli) are a group of twelve small uninhabited islands  located to the south–east of St Martin's. The islands lie within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, part of the Scilly Heritage Coast and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) first designated in 1971 for its flora and fauna (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Isles" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Isles">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Wikipedia).
Isles of Scilly, Nornour
The Eastern Isles (Cornish: Enesow Goonhyli) are a group of twelve small uninhabited islands located to the south–east of St Martin's. The islands lie within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, part of the Scilly Heritage Coast and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) first designated in 1971 for its flora and fauna (LinkExternal link Wikipedia).
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Eastern Isles is located at Grid Ref: SV9414 (Lat: 49.949788, Lng: -6.2581016)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///regulates.fermented.petrified. Near St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

Related Wikis

Great Ganilly

Great Ganilly ( gə-NIL-ee; Cornish: Goonhyli Veur, lit. 'great saltwater downs') is one of the Eastern Isles of the Isles of Scilly. It has a maximum total...

Eastern Isles

The Eastern Isles (Cornish: Enesow Goonhyli, islands of the salt water downs) are a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly...

PS Earl of Arran (1860)

PS Earl of Arran was a passenger vessel operated by the Ardrossan Steamboat Company from 1860 to 1871 and the West Cornwall Steam Ship Company from 1871...

Wheel Wreck

The Wheel Wreck is the remains of a shipwreck lying in Crow sound off Little Ganinick in the Isles of Scilly. The wreck site consists of a discrete mound...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.949788,-6.2581016
Eastern Isles
Place: island
Wikidata: Q1278198
Wikipedia: en:Eastern Isles
Lat/Long: 49.9495656/-6.2610838
Ladies' Ledge
Place: locality
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 49.9475121/-6.2625404
Ladies' Ledge Neck
Place: locality
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 49.9470984/-6.2614565
Ragged Island
Place: island
Lat/Long: 49.9463119/-6.2579511
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 49.9500643/-6.2561919
West Porth
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.9509187/-6.258246
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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