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 across 134 hectares (1.34 km2). The apparently larger population of 177 in 2021 is misleading - the census captures numbers sleeping on the island on a given date, and in 2021 this date fell during the tourist season and numbers therefore included visitors. Bryher exhibits a procession of prominent hills connected by low-lying necks and sandy bars. Landmarks include Hell Bay, famous for shipwrecks in the 18th and 19th centuries, Shipman Head, which was fortified in the Iron Age and where the tumbled ramparts of an Iron Age castle remain, and All Saints' Church, originally constructed in 1742. The island has two quays, Church Quay and Bar Quay. With a rich natural history, Bryher is home to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that host diverse flora and fauna, contributing to its allure for visitors interested in boating, walking, and wildlife observation. The island has also played a role in film and television productions, featuring in adaptations like The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and When the Whales Came. Bryher was the setting for works by authors like Michael Morpurgo and Sam Llewellyn. The pen name Bryher was adopted by Annie Winifred Ellerman in the early 20th century.