Harry's Walls

Harry's Walls is the unfinished beginning of a Tudor artillery fort on St Mary's, overlooking the harbour approaches near Hugh Town. Despite the name, work began in 1551 during Edward VI's reign, as the government strengthened the defence of the Isles of Scilly. Two angular bastions and a length of curtain wall survive, giving a sense of the intended scale even though the full fortress was never completed. The islands' main defensive focus later developed on the headland known as the Garrison. Reviewers describe this as a peaceful short stop with rewarding harbour views, particularly when exploring St Mary's on foot. The final approach climbs an uphill footpath, so allow for the gradient rather than expecting a roadside monument. Shops, toilets and food are available in Hugh Town. Arrange travel to Scilly separately and treat the harbour map pin as an island arrival point, not parking beside the walls.