The Vanishing Labyrinths of the Isles of Scilly
Thank-you for your curiosity into Scilly’s unique pebble maze heritage. If you’ve reached this page you have scanned one of the QR code plaques beside one of Scilly’s iconic labyrinths.
Scilly has four main labyrinth sites: Troy Town on St Agnes is Scilly’s original labyrinth, dating back at least 300 years but possibly originally viking, and a protected historic site. The White Island Bar Mazes on St Martin’s are the largest concentration of labyrinths on the islands. Popplestones on Bryher is the most mysterious. Giant’s Castle Maze on St Mary’s has become very overgrown and we are hoping to restore this maze as part of our project.
This project - Vanishing Labyrinths of the Isles of Scilly - is a not-for-profit public art project with the goal of invigorating and uplifting the unique culture surrounding pebble mazes on the Isles of Scilly.
With a series of conversations and events scheduled through the spring and summer of 2025, we hope to find out as much as we can about the history of Scilly’s labyrinths and the stories, memories and folklore associated with them. We hope to raise awareness for their importance - particularly of Troy Town Maze, which is ancient and unique in the British Isles - and so ensure they are protected and enjoyed for generations to come.
We are working with the support of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Scilly Arts and Heritage, with funding from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
If you have any stories, photos or memories to share about Scilly labyrinths we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch via the Feedback page or email scilly.labyrinth.project@gmail.com or join our Facebook Group to stay updated.
An important part of this project will be the sensitive restoration of Giant’s Castle Maze on St. Mary’s. Dating from around the 1950’s, this beautiful site, beloved by generations of islanders and visitors alike, has become quite overgrown and difficult to discern. Unmaintained and eroded by many wandering feet, it is at risk of vanishing entirely.
For this restoration, we are partnering with: Scilly’s premier archaeologist; experienced ecologists and wildlife conservationists; a digital surveyor and technologist; and expert dowsers, to survey this unique site - considering artistic, archaeological, ecological and mythological perspectives.
These results, along with our own research, will be presented to the community during a sharing event on the 27th and 29th of April 2025 at the Old Town Inn, St. Mary’s, and online via Zoom on the 12th May 2025. For more information, visit our What’s On page. This will be open to all, and there will be opportunity for anyone to share their views to inform a community-led restoration of Giant’s Castle Maze.
If you have any opinions, thoughts, or concerns regarding this restoration, we would also love to hear from you. Again, please get in touch via the Feedback page or email scilly.labyrinth.project@gmail.com or join our Facebook Group to stay updated.