Higher Ledge

Island in Cornwall

England

Higher Ledge

Bar Point at a low spring tide Looking across Crow Sound to the western end of St Martin’s, Tean, and St Helen’s. — Bar Point at a low spring tide Credit: David Lally

Higher Ledge is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of Cornwall, England. Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, it is part of the Isles of Scilly archipelago. The island covers an area of approximately 15 acres and is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain.

Higher Ledge is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, with steep cliffs that provide stunning views of the surrounding sea and neighboring islands. The island is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various seabirds and wildflowers. Visitors to Higher Ledge can expect to encounter species such as fulmars, gulls, and cormorants, as well as seals and dolphins in the waters around the island.

Access to Higher Ledge is limited due to its remote location and lack of amenities. There are no permanent structures or facilities on the island, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts seeking a peaceful and unspoiled environment. Visitors can enjoy activities such as birdwatching, hiking, and photography, but must be cautious of the steep and uneven terrain.

To reach Higher Ledge, visitors can take a boat or ferry from the mainland to one of the neighboring inhabited islands, such as St. Mary's or Tresco, and then arrange for a smaller boat or kayak to transport them to the island. It is important to note that the island is typically accessible only during certain times of the year, as weather conditions and tides can impact accessibility.

In summary, Higher Ledge is a picturesque and secluded island off the coast of Cornwall, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and enjoy a peaceful retreat from the bustle of everyday life.

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Higher Ledge Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.950755/-6.2998561 or Grid Reference SV9114. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bar Point at a low spring tide

Looking across Crow Sound to the western end of St Martin’s, Tean, and St Helen’s.

David Lally

Looking east from Bar Point

At a low spring tide.

David Lally

Entrance to the Innisidgen chambered cairn

Scheduled Monument including both burial cairn and other features: Two entrance graves, a prehistoric field system, and Civil War fieldworks and blockhouse on Innisidgen Hill and Helvear Down, St Mary's List Entry Number:1013271 Link

David Lally

Rope swing near Innisidgen

Hanging from a very high branch of a Monterey Pine.

David Lally

Tobaccomanâs Point and Green Island

With Tresco Abbey behind. Taken on the way back from St Martin’s.

David Lally

Lower Town Quay

The smaller of the two quays on St Martin’s. The larger quay at Higher Town is the one used for freight deliveries, but is inaccessible at a low tide. The island behind is the uninhabited Tean (pronounced tea-an).

David Lally

Isles of Scilly, Eastern Isles from Crow Sound

The large island in the background is St Martin's.

David Dixon

Hats South Cardinal Marker, Crow Sound

A cardinal mark is a sea mark (a buoy or other floating or fixed structure) used in maritime pilotage to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water. The direction of its two conical top marks indicates the safest side to pass. In this case, both cones are pointing down which indicates that shipping should pass on the south side of the buoy (to avoid the Hats shallows and an uncovering boiler structure from a wreck in the sound. Link

(Cardinal Mark, Wikipedia).

David Dixon

Crow Rock and Beacon

Crow Rock is an islet in the Isles of Scilly, situated near to Halangy Point on St Mary's. At high tide. only the central tip of the rock is visible above the water, hence the need for the beacon.

David Dixon

Isles of Scilly, Crow Rock and Halangy Down Transmitter Mast

Crow Rock is an islet in the Isles of Scilly, situated near Halangy Point on St Mary's. At high tide. only the central tip of the rock is visible above the water, hence the need for the beacon. The Halangy Down transmitter on St Mary's is a 500-watt FM radio and television transmitter with a 250 feet high steel lattice tower, surmounted by a main TV antenna. It was built by the BBC in 1969.

David Dixon