village and capital of the Isles of Scilly (Scilly, Isles of), historic county of Cornwall, England. Located on a sandy peninsula on the southwestern side of St. Mary's Island, the village has a harbour 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 centred 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.