If you are lucky enough to get a fine day when you first step ashore on St Agnes, you will marvel at the fantastic range of colours in the sea in Per Conger. The first building you see overlooking this bay is the Turk’s Head pub and you may well choose to stop here for refreshment. Some visitors get no further than this on the island, but if you choose to walk on up the narrow concrete road you will look across the sea to Gugh (rhyming with pew), the smaller island connected to St Agnes by a sandbar. It is cut off at high tide, so check this before going over to explore.

Following the road takes you to Covean Café where you can get ice creams, lunches & cream teas, and you can sit looking over the Cove where visiting yachts anchor. Opposite this is the Bulb Shop where they sell a range of crafts, local bulbs and plants, and you can order flowers by post. A little track here will take you to St Agnes’ secret cove, generally the most sheltered beach on the island.

Further along the road you reach St Agnes Post Office Stores which offers a good range of groceries including vegetarian and organic produce, plus an off licence, gifts, books and beach toys. If you are staying on the island they will prepare and deliver an order for your arrival.

You then find, in the centre of the island, St Agnes’ most distinctive feature, its white-painted C17th disused lighthouse. Carrying straight on with this on your right you will come to a row of white cottages on your left and behind these is Coastguards café, with magnificent views to the Western Rocks, and offering much locally sourced fare.

The concrete road ends here, but walk on down the rough farm track with Bishop Rock lighthouse on the horizon and you will reach Troytown. It’s not a town at all, just our farmhouse and outbuildings and self-catering lets. Finally, when you think you have missed it, you’ll find Troytown campsite tucked away on the edge of the sea looking out towards the bird sanctuary island of Annet.

You can also reach us by turning right at the top of the quay at Per Conger, and this route takes you across the camomile scented meadow with its pool and where the island cricket pitch and tennis court can be found. On to the beautiful little church above Periglis harbour where the local boats are moored, and take the track above the church to reach the campsite.

Remember, on an island only a mile across, it’s not far to anywhere so you really can’t get lost! But with a wealth of coastal paths and tracks, you can take different routes on your walks every day.