The Isles of Scilly are waiting to be discovered right on your doorstep – so grab your camera and come aboard for a day trip like no other.
Beautiful countryside, lovely pubs and mile-long beaches – with so much to enjoy right here in the UK, it’s no wonder that short trips are becoming increasingly popular. If you’re one of the many people hoping to make the most of the British spring, the extraordinary Isles of Scilly are closer than you might think.
Make the most of every moment…
Sailing to the Isles of Scilly takes just under three hours and is a fantastic way to escape the every day. With a crossing first thing in the morning and a return journey in the late afternoon, you’ll be able to enjoy around four hours exploring on land. Alternatively, you can fly over to the islands by Skybus in just 15 minutes from Land’s End – giving you up to four hours extra time on the islands.
Travellers often pay extra for a sea view, but when you sail on the Scillonian passenger ferry, everyone can head onto the deck to breathe in the sea air and enjoy the beauty of Cornwall’s famous coastline. The journey is punctuated with iconic landmarks, incredible seascapes and even the occasional pod of dolphins.
Time to explore…
St Mary’s Harbour is bustling and picturesque. Filled with colourful boats and maritime pubs, it’s easy to spend an afternoon watching the world go by. Visit The Slip Inn or The Mermaid Inn for delicious food, real ales, a warm welcome and views over the harbour.
After lunch, we recommend wandering through Hugh Street to find the Garrison Wall. You can walk the length of the wall in just a couple of hours and the panoramic views from the southerly tip of St Mary’s are incredible. Plus it’s an opportunity to peek at the other islands; so you could begin planning your next visit.
If you can’t wait to begin exploring, hop straight onto an inter-island boat as soon you arrive into St Mary’s and visit one of the off-islands. You’ll find local boatmen waiting in the quay, as well as boards advertising the day’s sailing times.
Tresco
Head to Tresco and you can wander for a good few hours through the sub-tropical Abbey Garden. With exotic flowers from all corners of the planet, red squirrels and towering palm trees, it’s a little piece of paradise.
Bryher
This is the smallest of the inhabited isles and you only need around an hour or so to walk around the entire island. Afterwards, you could pop into the Vine Café for a tasty lunch or Fraggle Rock Bar if you fancy something stronger!
St Martin’s
If you’re dreaming of pristine beaches and azure waters, head to St Martin’s. Kick back and relax, build sandcastles, delve into rock pools and enjoy a cream tea at Polreath Tea Rooms – bliss!
St Agnes
If you’re able to make it to St Agnes during low tide, you can walk across the sand bar that joins the island to Gugh, an uninhabited island. Be sure to take the kids to Troytown Farm to tuck into a tub of their homemade ice cream.
Whether you live locally and want to experience a day out with a difference, or you’re travelling from further afield and would like to make Scilly part of your Cornish holiday; we can’t wait to welcome you aboard.