Hugh Town

Hugh Town, Isles of Scilly, England

Hugh Town, village and capital of the Isles of Scilly, historic county of Cornwall, England. Located on a sandy peninsula on the southwestern side of St. Mary’s Island, the village has a harbor and a roadstead where large vessels can lie at anchor. Hugh Town gave shelter to Prince Charles (later Charles II) until his escape to Jersey in 1646. The economy is centered on fishing and tourism. Star Castle, built in 1593 by Francis Godolphin, who leased the islands from Queen Elizabeth I in 1571, is now a hotel. Pop. (2021) 948.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Mindy Johnston.