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Merrick Island of Stony Porth

Island in Cornwall

England

Merrick Island of Stony Porth

Plum Island Tresco View Across New Grimsby Harbour to Plum island with the island of Bryher in the background and King Henry's Castle on the extreme right.
Plum Island Tresco Credit: Nigel Mykura

Merrick Island, also known as Stony Porth Island, is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Cornwall, England. Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, the island measures approximately 1.5 acres and is accessible by foot during low tide via a rocky causeway from the mainland.

The island is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs and picturesque views of the surrounding coastline. It is known for its abundance of diverse flora and fauna, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The island is home to various seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, as well as occasional sightings of seals and dolphins in the surrounding waters.

Merrick Island's history can be traced back to ancient times, with evidence of Bronze Age settlements found in the form of stone circles and burial mounds. In more recent history, the island was used for grazing livestock and as a fishing spot by local communities.

Today, Merrick Island remains largely untouched and serves as a peaceful sanctuary away from the bustling mainland. It is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ensuring its preservation and protection for future generations to enjoy.

Visitors to Merrick Island can explore its rugged coastline, take in the stunning views, and observe the diverse wildlife that calls this small island home. However, it is important to note that access to the island is dependent on the tides, so careful planning is required to ensure a safe visit.

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Merrick Island of Stony Porth Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.944687/-6.3600823 or Grid Reference SV8714. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Plum Island Tresco View Across New Grimsby Harbour to Plum island with the island of Bryher in the background and King Henry's Castle on the extreme right.
Plum Island Tresco
View Across New Grimsby Harbour to Plum island with the island of Bryher in the background and King Henry's Castle on the extreme right.
A misty day on Bryher Not such a good day, weather wise as the mist was down over the island most of the day. This dull view is looking towards Hell Bay Hotel.
A misty day on Bryher
Not such a good day, weather wise as the mist was down over the island most of the day. This dull view is looking towards Hell Bay Hotel.
Red Squirrel at Tresco Abbey Gardens This squirrel seems delighted to have "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role. A mixture of twenty male and female red squirrels was released into Tresco’s woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s relative isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island; ten years on, without competition from the greys, the population of red squirrels on Tresco is booming.
Red Squirrel at Tresco Abbey Gardens
This squirrel seems delighted to have "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role. A mixture of twenty male and female red squirrels was released into Tresco’s woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s relative isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island; ten years on, without competition from the greys, the population of red squirrels on Tresco is booming.
Sciurus vulgaris. Tresco Abbey Garden A squirrel pauses whilst scampering up a tree, looking like he has been startled to see the group of visitors pointing their cameras at him. Close to one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The Sciurus vulgaris, commonly known as the red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel, is a tree-dwelling rodent with an omnivorous diet. The decrease in the red squirrel population in Britain is frequently attributed to the arrival of the eastern grey squirrel from North America during the late 1800s. However, the destruction and division of its natural forest habitat have also contributed to this decline. In September 2013, a group of twenty male and female red squirrels were introduced to the woodland area of Tresco. Since the island is relatively isolated, there are no grey squirrels present, which has allowed the red squirrel population to thrive without competition. Ten years later, the red squirrel population on Tresco is flourishing.
Sciurus vulgaris. Tresco Abbey Garden
A squirrel pauses whilst scampering up a tree, looking like he has been startled to see the group of visitors pointing their cameras at him. Close to one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The Sciurus vulgaris, commonly known as the red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel, is a tree-dwelling rodent with an omnivorous diet. The decrease in the red squirrel population in Britain is frequently attributed to the arrival of the eastern grey squirrel from North America during the late 1800s. However, the destruction and division of its natural forest habitat have also contributed to this decline. In September 2013, a group of twenty male and female red squirrels were introduced to the woodland area of Tresco. Since the island is relatively isolated, there are no grey squirrels present, which has allowed the red squirrel population to thrive without competition. Ten years later, the red squirrel population on Tresco is flourishing.
Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Blue Footbridge near the Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Blue Footbridge near the Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) A squirrel pauses having "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role. A group of twenty red squirrels, consisting of a mixture of males and females, was released into Tresco's woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island. As a result, the red squirrel population on Tresco is thriving.
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
A squirrel pauses having "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role. A group of twenty red squirrels, consisting of a mixture of males and females, was released into Tresco's woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island. As a result, the red squirrel population on Tresco is thriving.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Path in Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Path in Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail) A closer look at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7590931">SV8914 : The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden</a> showing part of the intricate mosaic created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith.
Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail)
A closer look at SV8914 : The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden showing part of the intricate mosaic created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith.
The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden Set within the Mediterranean garden, the shell house is a hexagonal structure with a gabled roof and open front; it was created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith. It provides an excellent spot to shelter from the sun (or the wind or the rain!) or to simply admire its intricate mosaic. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7590926">SV8914 : Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail)</a> for a more detailed look at the mosaic.
The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden
Set within the Mediterranean garden, the shell house is a hexagonal structure with a gabled roof and open front; it was created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith. It provides an excellent spot to shelter from the sun (or the wind or the rain!) or to simply admire its intricate mosaic. See SV8914 : Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail) for a more detailed look at the mosaic.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden. the Valhalla Figurehead Collection The Valhalla Museum within Tresco Abbey Garden features the Valhalla Collection containing some 30 figureheads, as well as name-boards and other decorative carvings. The collection was started in ca1840 by Augustus Smith, Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly, who began collecting figureheads and other relics from the many shipwrecks on or around the islands. He later constructed a building to house his growing collection and called it his ‘figurehead Valhalla’ after the hall of gods in Norse mythology. His family continued to add further items to the collection after his death in 1872. Most of the figureheads on display date from the middle and end of the 19th century and come from merchant sailing vessels or early steamships that were wrecked on the Isles of Scilly.
Tresco Abbey Garden. the Valhalla Figurehead Collection
The Valhalla Museum within Tresco Abbey Garden features the Valhalla Collection containing some 30 figureheads, as well as name-boards and other decorative carvings. The collection was started in ca1840 by Augustus Smith, Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly, who began collecting figureheads and other relics from the many shipwrecks on or around the islands. He later constructed a building to house his growing collection and called it his ‘figurehead Valhalla’ after the hall of gods in Norse mythology. His family continued to add further items to the collection after his death in 1872. Most of the figureheads on display date from the middle and end of the 19th century and come from merchant sailing vessels or early steamships that were wrecked on the Isles of Scilly.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Alighting on Samson Firethorn dropping off visitors to Samson.
Alighting on Samson
Firethorn dropping off visitors to Samson.
Stonewall on Samson At the uninhabited settlement on Samson
Stonewall on Samson
At the uninhabited settlement on Samson
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Merrick Island of Stony Porth is located at Grid Ref: SV8714 (Lat: 49.944687, Lng: -6.3600823)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///alike.explores.gain. Near Bryher, Isles of Scilly

Nearby Locations

Works Carn Sheep Ledges Pool Stoneship Porth Silver Carn Merrick Island Neck

Related Wikis

Bryher
Bryher

Bryher (Cornish: Breyer, lit. 'place of hills') is one of the smallest inhabited islands of the Isles of Scilly, with a population of 84 in 2011, spread...

All Saints' Church, Bryher
All Saints' Church, Bryher

All Saints' Church is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England located in Bryher, Isles of Scilly. == History == Bryher is the most westerly...

Gweal, Isles of Scilly
Gweal, Isles of Scilly

Gweal ( GWEEL; Cornish: Gwydhyel, lit. 'place of trees') is one of the Isles of Scilly. It is the largest of the seven Norrard Rocks due west of Bryher...

Norrard Rocks
Norrard Rocks

The Norrard (Northern) Rocks are a group of small uninhabited granite rocks in the north–western part of the Isles of Scilly, to the west of Bryher and...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.944687,-6.3600823
Rushy Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.9447494/-6.3553407
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9472667/-6.3575153
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9472063/-6.3574818
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Heathy Hill
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 49.9466436/-6.3604121
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Droppy Nose Point
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 49.9453851/-6.3636149
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Stony Porth
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.9454858/-6.3602024
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Stoneship Porth
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 49.9476225/-6.3621398
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Informal: yes
Leisure: playground
Lat/Long: 49.9466083/-6.3589966
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Great High Rock Cornwall
Carn of Bars Cornwall

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