West Withan

Island in Cornwall

England

West Withan

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). — Lower Town Quay Credit: David Lally

West Withan is a small island located off the coast of Cornwall, England. It is situated in the Celtic Sea, approximately 10 kilometers southwest of Land's End, and covers an area of around 1.5 square kilometers. Despite its relatively small size, West Withan boasts a diverse range of natural features and a rich history.

The island is characterized by its rugged coastline, with imposing cliffs and rocky outcrops. The landscape is predominantly covered in grassland and heath, providing a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. The island is also home to a small population of seabirds, including puffins and gannets, which nest along the cliffs.

In terms of human habitation, West Withan has a long history dating back to prehistoric times. Archaeological evidence suggests that the island was inhabited by early settlers, and remnants of ancient stone structures can still be found today. During the Roman period, West Withan played a strategic role in maritime trade routes, and it is believed that a small settlement existed on the island at that time.

Today, West Withan is primarily a tourist destination, attracting visitors with its stunning natural beauty and historical significance. The island offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the ancient ruins. It is accessible by boat, with regular ferry services operating from the nearby town of Penzance.

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West Withan Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.981083/-6.2953773 or Grid Reference SV9217. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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

Great Bay panorama

On of the most beautiful spots on the islands.

David Lally

St Martins

The beautiful St Martin's Bay

Richard Knights

Lower Town, St. Martin's

Looking SW, Tresco in distance

Darren Smith

St Martin's - Scillies

The high street of Middle Town, St Martin's.

Richard Knights

Looking out from gardens of Seven Stones pub

View looking south from the pub

Nick Andrews

St Martin's coastal path, looking towards Great Bay

Mike Walpole

St Martin's bay from Scilly point

This is a beautiful beach of white sand.

Richard Knights

The tidal causeway to White Island, Scilly

White Island is a part of St Martin's. This is the only land based way onto the island.

Richard Knights

Lower Town quay, St Martin's - Scilly

A small quay - but very well used for loading and unloading all the things that are essential for island life.

Richard Knights

Round Island from St Helens, Isles of Scilly

St Helen's is an uninhabited Island. I had landed, with others, from a vessel taking visitors around uninhabited islands on the northern edge of the Scillies archipelago. I had been on St Helen's in (was it) 1999 for the eclipse - which we actually did see despite a certain amount of cloud.

John Davey

Seven Stones, St Martins, Scilly

For many years requests for real beer were met with "it doesn't travel across water". Now the seas have changed their character around Scilly, proper beer is now plentiful at the Seven Stones. Views are pretty good too.

al partington

The northern tip of St Martin's at low water.

Mike Walpole

Sandcastle on Great Bay, St Martins, Isles of Scilly

As we came upon it in the morning the neap tide must have left it unscathed from the day before!

John Davey

White Island viewed from Top Rock, St Martins, Isles of Scilly

White Island is attached to St Martins except at high tide.

John Davey

Distant view of Round Island lighthouse

Lighthouse viewed from Castle Down, Tresco.

Rib

Tean: deceptive lighthouse view

This picture represents something of an illusion, for the lighthouse is not where it appears to be. The island is Tean but the lighthouse is on Round Island, about a kilometre to the north. This is viewed from the ferry to Penzance, which returned to the mainland around the north of St. Mary's.

Chris Downer