SAMPLE ITINERARY

If you stay on the main island of St Mary’s, and take day trips by boat to the smaller islands, you will have a variety of accommodation options - ranging from an Elizabethan castle to a charming old inn, quaint B&B or self-catering apartment. Your itinerary can be tailor-made to your exact requirements.

The most popular way of reaching the Isles of Scilly is by a 15 minute helicopter flight from Penzance, but be aware that your luggage will be limited to 20kg per person in one soft bag with no rigid frame, although it may have wheels and a handle (maximum size 70 x 39 x 31 cm). Hand luggage is limited to one small item up to 3 kg (30 x 15 x 15 cm).

Alternatively you can take the passenger-only Scillonian ferry from Penzance from March to October. This trip takes 2 hours 45 minutes, but be aware that the sea can sometimes be rough. Light aircraft flights also connect St Mary’s with Land’s End (15 min), Newquay (30 min) and Exeter (1 hour) every day except Sunday.

Enjoy exploring the clear turquoise waters and endless sandy beaches of this peaceful archipelago of over 50 small islands, situated off the south-west tip of England. Only five of these scenic islands are inhabited – St Mary’s, Tresco, Bryher, St Martin’s & St Agnes. The islands are a bird-watcher’s paradise, with over 435 different species including cormorants, gannets, oystercatchers, Manx shearwaters and puffins to name but a few. Atlantic grey seals can be spotted in these waters, and divers can explore a huge network of shipwrecks and magnificent marine life. You can also hire a boat to explore the coastline from the sea.

The largest island of St Mary’s has only nine miles of road, but over 30 miles of walking, cycling and horse riding trails. The capital Hugh Town, sits between two sandy beaches and has many shops, galleries, restaurants and pubs, as well as the impressive Garrison Walls, a system of defences with a history spanning 350 years. Harold Wilson’s grave can be seen in St Mary’s Old Church Churchyard. Day trips are available to the nearby islands and ‘Walk Scilly’ takes place in April and October, offering the opportunity to join guided walks to some of the uninhabited islands. A Folk Festival is held in May, a Comedy Festival in June and the Taste of Scilly food fair in September. Be sure to taste typical Cornish delicacies such as Scilly ice cream, Newlyn fish & Tresco beef. Inter-island pilot gig races, using 6-oared rowing boats, are held twice a week during the summer and are a lot of fun.

Tresco is the only privately owned island and is best known for its famous Abbey Gardens, with a collection of over 20,000 sub-tropical plants from over 80 countries. The Valhalla Museum displays shipwrecked figureheads, and the King Charles Castle is a coastal artillery fort dating back to the 16th century. Gallery Tresco showcases some of Cornwall’s finest art in a converted boatshed and the island has some long silver beaches.

Bryher is the smallest of the inhabited islands, offering wild beauty and tranquillity. It also has some excellent restaurants. At certain times of the year you can walk between Bryher and Tresco, when the retreating tide reveals a sandy pathway.

St Martin’s is the most northernmost inhabited island. It is just 2 miles long and has some of the finest beaches in the archipelago. Here you can visit a flower farm and a vineyard, and admire local Cornish art and silver jewellery designs. The dive school offers diving and snorkelling trips with seals.

St Agnes is the southernmost inhabited island. It is just a mile across and remarkably unspoilt. It is an island of stunning contrasts, from its dramatically exposed western side, to paradise beaches in sheltered coves. Troytown Farm makes delicious homemade ice cream and is the southernmost settlement in the UK.

Note: There is no car hire on St Mary’s but there are a limited number of golf carts that can be hired (pre-booking is essential to secure availability). Bikes can also be hired. Dogs are welcome at some hotels and on some beaches. They can also travel on flights from Land’s End and Newquay, and on the ferries.

We strongly recommend making dinner reservations online, in advance of travel, to ensure availability.

You cannot pre-book local tours, but your hotels will help with these. There are also plenty of ‘turn up and pay’ guided walks and visits from the quay each morning. Will Wagstaff, the islands’ leading ornithologist, offers guided birding walks.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed & breakfast or self catering basis. Return flights from Land’s End are included, with other regional departures on request. Hotel taxi transfers must be paid locally (about £7 pp each way). Car parking on the UK mainland can be organised on request.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Photographic ID is essential for travel (e.g. driving licence or passport).