isles of scilly travel book

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Travel Guide to the Isles of Scilly: A Spiritual Journey Through a Place Where Nature's Beauty Abundances and Time Flies By Kindle Edition

• Print length 47 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publication date April 14, 2024
• File size 2094 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

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Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D1RXYFYX
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 14, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2094 KB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 47 pages

About the author

Maria dolores flores.

Maria Dolores Flores is not just a travel guide writer; she's a storyteller who weaves tales of adventure, culture, and discovery with her pen. Born with a compass in one hand and a notebook in the other. My career as a travel guide writer blossomed from my desire to share the magic of travel with others, empowering them to embark on their journeys of self-discovery and enlightenment. My meticulously researched guides, not only provide practical tips and recommendations but also invite readers to embrace the spontaneity and serendipity that come with exploration.

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Isles of Scilly Guidebook

New 11th edition.

The most popular and comprehensive guidebook to the Isles of Scilly. Covering the inhabited islands of St Mary's, St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco and St Martin's as well as the abandoned isles of Samson, Tean and St Helen's. Full of helpful advice on how to get to the islands and the best places and things to do when you arrive.   ISBN:  978-1-904645-34-4  Edition: 11th (2024) Format: Print 96 pages Size: 240mm x 140mm

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The Ultimate Isles Of Scilly Travel Guide | England

With sandy white beaches and swaying palm trees, you may think that you’ve arrived on some tropical paradise island. However, you haven’t landed in the Caribbean or Mediterranean but you’re actually in the Isles of Scilly in England! Want to know more? I’ve put together this Isles of Scilly travel guide so you can plan your own trip to this little gem tucked away in the corner of England.

I had heard about the Isles of Scilly before and we recently had the chance to visit them. It had always intrigued me how such a place could exist in England. Somehow, the islands still manage to keep their British charm. You may be on a sandy beach or be walking past palm trees but you almost feel like you’re at a British seaside town back on the mainland.

We had an amazing time on the Scilly Isles and now I want to share everything we learnt from our trip. Enjoy this Isles of Scilly travel guide and plan your own trip to this little slice of paradise in England.

Read More | The Ultimate UK Bucket List

Where Are The Isles Of Scilly?

The secret is out and more and more people are finding out the Isles of Scilly are located in… England! You may be forgiven for thinking that they are located in the Mediterranean but they’re located 45km (35 miles) from the tip of Land’s End, so they are still part of Cornwall in England’s southwest.

The 250-mile journey to Cornwall from London takes around 5 hours by car. Luckily for you, Cornwall is one of England’s most beautiful counties with plenty to do and see. With stunning beaches and beautiful little seaside towns, it’s well worth taking the time to explore this part of the country.

Weather On The Isles Of Scilly

You may have heard people calling the Isles of Scilly ‘the UK’s answer to the Caribbean’ or ‘England’s tropical hidden gem’ but the weather isn’t quite as warm as that. Sure some of the beaches may look like they’ve come straight out of a Caribbean postcard, but the islands are still part of England don’t forget!

The weather follows the typical seasons in the northern hemisphere. August is the warmest month to visit with an average temperature of 19-20°c. The islands are positioned on the end of the North Atlantic Current so temperatures may seem milder compared to the rest of England. There’s a high chance of rain from November to February while the driest month is May.

We visited in July and while we had some long sunny days we also had spots of rain. But I’ve spoken to others who have had nothing but sunshine during the summer months.

How To Get To The Isles Of Scilly

Getting to the Isles of Scilly is half the fun, and needs a bit of planning due to their location. First, you need to make your way to the town of Penzance in Cornwall. So if you’re staying in London for example, you would need to take a train or hire a car. From Penzance, you can make your way over to the island of St. Mary’s by air or by sea!

The Scillonian Ferry

Probably the most common way to get to the Scilly Isles is by ferry. The Scillonian III to be precise! Although a standard adult fare of £65.95 ($81/€76) is not cheap, it is still the most cost-effective way to get to the islands. You will need to purchase a return trip at the same cost!

The ferry journey takes around 2 hours 45 minutes and runs from April to November. It’s quite a nice relaxing journey with comfortable seats and a small cafe on board. If you’re lucky you may even see dolphins or seals on your trip. However, there is only one ferry to St. Mary’s in the morning and one returning in the afternoon. So don’t miss it!

For more information on the Scillonian, head to the website , where you can view an up-to-date timetable and prices.

Day Trip | You can purchase a day trip ticket for £35.00 ($43/€40). I would only recommend this if you’re really, really short on time as you would arrive at St. Mary’s at around 12:30pm and leave again at 16:30pm (average departure times.)

A more convenient way to travel to the Isles of Scilly is the Sky Bus. You can get flights to the Scilly Isles from Exeter, Newquay and Land’s End airports. Depending on the airport, the journey is much quicker – 60 mins from Exeter and only 20 mins from Land’s End!

It’s quite a cool experience on the Sky Bus. If you fly from Land’s End, you can pay for a transfer from Penzance to the tiny little airport. The planes are also very small with only around 8 passengers on board and you even see the pilots doing their thing in the cockpit!

A standard adult ticket starts at £105 ($130/€122) each way so it’s a more expensive option but you can’t put a price on time! There are multiple flights throughout the day, making a day trip (£127) to the Scilly Isles a more tempting option than on the Scillonian.

Check out the official website for timetables and booking.

Fly & Sail | A great option for those who are undecided is to fly one way and sail the other. This is what we did on our trip to the Scilly Isles. This way, you’ll get to experience the best of both worlds

Penzance Helicopters

For a truly grand entrance, why not arrive by helicopter and feel like an A-list celebrity? Penzance Helicopters offers journeys from Penzance to either St. Mary’s or Tresco in only 15 mins! Prices start at £134.50 ($165€156) off-peak and you can book on their website .

Isles Of Scilly Accommodation

The Isles of Scilly are not what you would call a budget travel destination. Although the prices are similar to the rest of the UK in terms of food and drink, accommodation is a little pricey for your typical hotel, B&B. A quick look on Booking.com shows properties for over £200 ($230) per night.

For those who want to travel on a budget, I recommend booking early on Airbnb and staying in Hugh Town, St. Mary’s. This is probably the best bet for cheaper accommodation and there are more options available compared to the other islands. We stayed in an Airbnb for under £100 ($115) per night and were able to explore the other islands using Hugh Town as our base.

Another option is camping. Many of the islands have camping grounds and this is a great option for those who love the outdoors. Prices range from £11 ($12.60) to £55 ($63) per night.

Getting Around The Isles Of Scilly

The Isles Of Scilly consists of 5 inhabited islands and all are well connected by boat. While most visited will be staying in St. Mary’s there are some accommodation options on the other islands.

The islands are only 5-20 minutes apart and are easily accessible from the quay. Times are usually posted on notice boards as well as each island’s own boat service Facebook pages.

Our plan of action was to take a walk to the quay the day before and check out the departure and return times. These may be different due to the tides. We would then buy our tickets (not timed) ready for our trip the next day.

Best Things To Do On The Isles Of Scilly

Eat fresh sea food.

The local farmers and fishermen will tell you that the Scilly Isles have some of the best food in the UK. The food is locally sourced and reared on or around the islands themselves so you know it’s going to be fresh and you’ll be doing the environment a favour by reducing the carbon footprint.

There are many award-winning restaurants and eateries dotted around the isles for you to sample. It goes without saying that seafood should be the top choice when exploring these islands. From fresh fish to lobster, you’ll find an amazing choice of fresh seafood all over the islands and you have to try the lobster roll… yum!

See St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s is the largest of the Scilly Isles and the gateway to the rest of the islands. It is where the airport is located and where the Scillonian arrives and departs. Hugh Town is the main hub where you’ll find shops, cafes, restaurants and the Scilly Isle’s only banks (so withdraw your cash here if you need it!)

St. Mary’s is the best place to base yourself if you want to explore the other islands. You’ll find more accommodation options and there is also plenty to see and do including gin distillery tours and riding around in golf carts.

Island Hopping

There are 5 inhabited islands in Scilly – St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martins, St. Agnes and Bryher. Each one is different and a visit to at least one other island is a must! From the gardens of Tresco to the beaches of St. Martins, it’s really worth taking the boat out to all the other islands in this region.

While most people are happy to visit the main islands, there are over 140 more scattered around the archipelago. Many are home to wildlife whilst others are worth exploring due to their uniqueness such as Bishop Rock where a lighthouse sits on the world’s smallest island!

Wildlife Spotting

As previously mentioned, the Scilly Isles are home to an array of marine and sea life. It’s not uncommon to spot dolphins and porpoises whilst out at sea and there are several seal colonies around the islands.

Boat trips are available from the quay but you may have to book in advance and these are very popular in high season. Popular boat trips include the seabird sanctuary island of Annet and the islands east of St. Martin’s where seals and seabirds love to hang out. Another popular option is the glass bottom boat trips from St. Mary and St. Martin’s.

Enjoy The Beaches At St. Martin’s

St Martin’s has some of the best beaches on the Isles of Scilly and it’s the island you want to be on if sunbathing is your thing.

It’s on St Martin’s that you’ll find Great Bay – an untouched, white sand beach with crystal clear waters considered to be the best in the Scilly Isles. You’ll feel like you’re spending the day in the Caribbean instead of England!!

You won’t find any shops or cafes on the beaches so it’s best to stock up on food and drink (take your rubbish/trash please!) The Island Bakery or convenience store are the best places to buy snacks.

Explore The Island Of Tresco

This subtropical island is classy yet chilled! Tresco is a Royal favourite with William and Kate visiting two summers in a row. We enjoyed a beer and snacks at the Ruin Beach Cafe where a local told us William had visited recently.

There are plenty of other things to do on Tresco besides following the Royals and a hike to Cromwell’s Castle is a particular highlight. There are also a few beaches on the island to explore and you can also play a round of golf, or enjoy a spa treatment or yoga session.

See The Tresco Abbey Gardens

The famous Tresco Abbey Gardens are a must-see when visiting the Isles of Scilly. Located on Tresco, there are around 4000 different specimens in the gardens from over 80 countries. Quite incredible if you consider that many of these plants wouldn’t survive anywhere else in the UK.

The entrance to these fabulous gardens costs £18 and there’s no need to book. There’s a cafe and shop there too so you can enjoy a tea or coffee and a sandwich in true Brit style! You can find out more about the gardens on their website .

Walk From Tresco To Bryher

Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited islands, is a contrast of rugged coastlines on the west and calm and sandy on the east. It’s a great place for walks, picnics and beach days. However, several times a year everyone wants to get to/from Bryher and not by boat!

The location, around 230 metres or so from Tresco, can be walked at very low tide! This can only be done a few times each year so it’s quite a popular event! Check out the dates & times when the tide is low if you want to time your visit with this unique event.

Walking On St. Agnes

The Isles of Scilly’s most south-westerly island is wild and untouched. The island is great for walking and you can walk the coast, through little villages and onto untamed beaches. Don’t miss the Gugh sandbar that’s only visible during low tide and if you like Troytown Farm ice cream, well the farm is found right here!

Don’t forget to grab a pint at the famous Turk’s Head pub – the Most South Westerly Pub in the British Isles!

Snorkel With Seals

One of the best things to do in the Scilly isles is to swim with some resident Atlantic grey seals. These cute critters live off the coast of St. Martin’s and you don’t need any experience to participate. The seals are friendly and inquisitive and you’ll be well looked after by Seal Snorkelling Adventures .

The experience costs £55 ($67/€64) and lasts for around 2.5 hours. There are only 2 sessions per day and a maximum of 10 people per group. This is so the seals don’t get too used to having people around. Make sure you book early, especially in the summer months.

I hope you enjoyed reading this Isles of Scilly travel guide. If you have any questions or suggestions then feel free to get in contact. Or just let me know in the comments below .

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Jeff Yip is the owner and author of Life of Y, a blog that helps travellers find adventure travel on a budget. As a travel expert, Jeff has explored over 50 countries (many as a solo traveller), been to 6 continents, and seen all 7 World Wonders. Jeff shares his tips and hacks on Life of Y so others can follow their dreams without breaking the bank.

Slow Travel Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly – the ‘A-book’

Our  Slow Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly is, we believe, the world’s first augmented travel guidebook on sale to the public. An augmented book, or ‘a-book’, is a printed book that has been enhanced in a standardised way with  additional content  that you can view or listen to while reading. This might be a guide to Slow travel, but it’s right at the cutting edge!

Below is information about how the ‘a-book’ came to be, and details of how you can access that additional content while you’re using the book. 

Next generation paper

Bradt has been working on an exciting  research project  led by academics at the University of Surrey. The ultimate aim is to develop what the researchers are calling  ‘next generation paper’  – paper with snazzy embedded electronics that trigger audio or video files to play on your phone, tablet or TV at relevant points when you are reading a book.

You could listen to the call of a bird while reading about the species or watch artisans at work while learning about regional crafts. It means digital content would seamlessly complement rather than replace the paper book.

Slow Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly  – the ‘a-book’

The third edition of  Slow Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly  is an important step on the journey towards next generation paper. While travelling around the region, author Kirsty Fergusson recorded some of its sights and sounds to  complement her descriptions  in the text. 

Icons  within the book indicate where such content is available, whether that’s an audio or video recording, a photograph or a live link to a transport timetable. While the electronic paper itself isn’t yet ready, the team has developed a  unique app  that allows you to access this content.

Once it identifies which page you are reading, the app will let you choose what content from that page you would like to play. It’s very clever, very  user-friendly  and  free of charge .

How can I access the additional content?

The app is now available on the Google Play store  here and the Apple App store here and a user manual can be downloaded from the University of Surrey  here . 

We hope this app will enhance your enjoyment of  Slow Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly . But it is a work in progress – a piece of ongoing research – and so we’d love to hear your feedback (good, bad or indifferent).

Please do email any comments you might have to  [email protected] , putting ‘Slow Cornwall feedback’ in the subject field.

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Prince William Visits Hospital on Isles of Scilly as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Arrive in Nigeria

The Prince of Wales' two-day tour of Cornwall continued on Friday, May 10

Press Association via AP Images

Prince William 's visit to Cornwall continued on Friday, May 10 with a stop at St. Mary's Harbor on the Isles of Scilly and a tour of a community hospital.

The Prince of Wales, 41, inherited the $1 billion Duchy of Cornwall estate, as well as the title of Duke of Cornwall, following Queen Elizabeth's death in September 2022. The Duchy of Cornwall is a large estate owned by the prince, which funds his family, as well as provides money to his charitable endeavors.

William kicked off his two-day visit on May 9 when he stopped by Nansledan to see the site of his housing project , which is designed to help people experiencing homelessness. From there, he headed to Fistral Beach, where he learned about water safety ahead of the summer season.

On Friday, William journeyed to the Isles of Scilly to spend time with the people who live and work around St. Mary's Harbor. The Harbor is a central hub of industry and tourism for the area, and the prince took time to speak with locals and business owners as they prepare for an influx of tourists — the islands see around 100,000 visitors every year — in the coming months.

Ben Birchall-WPA Pool/Getty

After spending time with the people at the Harbor, the prince headed to St. Mary's Hospital to hear about plans for a new integrated health and social care facility, which is set to be built on land owned by the Duchy. The proposed facility will add 12 residential care home beds, as well as a modern maternity suite to better serve the island communities that rely on the hospital for care.

During his visit, William met with representatives from the local council who are helping make the expansion a reality. He also made time to talk with the hospital's staff.

As the Prince of Wales was touring Cornwell, his brother Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Nigeria for their first visit to the West African country.

The couple was invited by Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, and they began their trip with a visit to a local school. From there, Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, met with the Chief of Defense staff before Harry visited with injured servicemembers at a military hospital.

Meghan and Harry's trip to Nigeria will continue throughout the weekend as they attend a training session for the organization, Nigeria: Unconquered and a reception hosted by the Chief of Defense Staff in honor of military families. The Duchess of Sussex is also scheduled to co-host the event Women in Leadership with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization on Saturday.

Then, on Sunday, Meghan and Harry will have a packed schedule as they attend a basketball clinic with Giants of Africa, a cultural reception and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.

The couple's trip to Nigeria comes after Harry spent a few days in London to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games . The prince extended invitations to several members of the royal family a Service of Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on May 8. PEOPLE understands that the Duke of Sussex invited his father,  King Charles , William and his sister-in-law,  Kate Middleton .

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty

Princess Kate has been out of the public eye as she undergoes treatment for cancer , while William was conducting investitures at Windsor Castle on the same day as Harry’s Invictus Games service. Meanwhile, the King and Queen Camilla hosted the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace a few miles away.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex had previously  confirmed Harry would not see his father during his visit due to the King's "full" schedule.

"In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program," the spokesperson said on May 7. "The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon."

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Why this Isles of Scilly hotel is heaven on earth for families

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Is there a more annoying phrase? It’s always said by people with an irritating abundance of personal freedom. You rarely hear it, for example, from those whose lives revolve exclusively around journeys to and from children’s schools, clubs and swimming lessons. In rush hour.

Still, our last family “journey” did give me pause. Hell Bay Hotel, on the island of Bryher in the Isles of Scilly , is England’s most westerly hotel. Those swimming in cash travel by helicopter. The strapped for time take a small plane. Their views over emerald fields and azure Atlantic are gorgeous, but the ease disconnects you from the distance you’re travelling, and thus the extraordinary, eccentric remoteness of where you’re heading. 

The ferry, of course, is cheaper – though, at £84 each way for adults, and £47 for children aged two to 11, it’s still a punchy price. Children under two are charged at £23; even a dog is £11. It is, though, a genuine adventure.

First you have to get to Penzance which, when you are travelling from darkest Norfolk in a highly capricious car, is an odyssey in itself. Next up, the Scillonian III: a big, white whale of a ferry that skirts the Cornish cliffs, churns across the big blue and disgorges its – by then slightly wobbly – passengers into the idyllic harbour at St Mary’s, the largest of the Isles of Scilly. 

Next you are scooped into a cheery little vessel, landed on a deserted beach at Tresco (Bryher’s neighbouring island), bumped across dunes by electric shuttle before, finally, a Popeye-sized boat putters across to Bryher, where the Hell Bay Hotel’s Land Rover waits on the sand. And all before lunch. 

Remember The Wizard of Oz , when the tornado lifts Dorothy from her mundane monochrome world, and drops her into a technicolour wonderland? Picture waves, not wind, and you have it. Because everything on Bryher and Tresco is brighter. The sea is luminescent. The sand actually glitters. Heather is tinselled in canary yellow and vivid violet buds. Red lobster pots glow in the sun.

Neither island has cars. But while Tresco is a pristine, chic paradise, Bryher is its smaller, wilder sibling. Where Tresco has smooth paths, Bryher is crossed by tracks and footpaths. Where Tresco has a boutique (shirts for £165), Bryher has honesty boxes stocking fudge, chilli jam and almost indecently large veg. 

In place of bougie beach restaurants, it has a white-washed tearoom and a bar that closely resembles a fisherman’s front room. The islands being so close, and the ferry so regular, you needn’t pick one character over another. Still… Bryher was an immediate perfect fit for our feral family. 

Knowing the island was paradise for children, Michael Morpurgo set many of his books here. While neighbouring Tresco is gentle and sandy, Hell Bay Hotel sits on the rocky, piratical shore, where waves crash against colossal sea stacks. The island is so small (half a square mile) you can often see both sides at once and we traipsed the lot in an afternoon, passing ruins, cattle and a chorus of sea birds. 

In summer, you can hire sailing boats. We picked up kayaks, paddling in water so clear it was almost like floating mid-air, past – because Bryher sits in the path of the Gulf Stream – improbable palm trees and giant succulents.

The hotel itself has an oddly Californian edge too. It has an outdoor pool (heated, thankfully), and like a motel, all 25 rooms are accessed individually from the outside – ideal for families splashing straight from beach to room. To one side, the hotel borders a sheltered beach. 

From our downstairs suite – one of four with two bedrooms, a large bathroom and a generous corridor for wellies, coats, wetsuits and more – we could just see its waters from bed. The children ran from the patio doors down to the sand. I swam. Someone had hung a makeshift hammock high in the rocks above.

Inside, the hotel has recently had a facelift. Interior designer Tania Streeter has given it a fashionable dusting of coral pink and coastal blue. A little rattan here, some tongue-and-grooving there. There remains, however, something charmingly old-school and uniquely British about the place. Our bathroom had a sensible bath-over-shower.

The owners are art collectors, and their influence too pervades. Taking your pre-prandial in the lounge, you are surrounded by landscapes fine enough to vie for attention with the waves through the window. In the bar, however, we lunched from a family-friendly menu of delectable burgers and fish and chips, beneath a hunky angel hurling a frisbee at a definitively worldly bikini-clad babe. Cue a lively theological debate with the 13-year-old boy. 

Later, in the dining room that is home to the Isles of Scilly’s only three-AA Rosette restaurant (delivering up traditional, delicate fish-focused dishes), we turned to our fellow guests for a conversational life-raft. Some had been returning for decades. One man had come to propose. She said yes. It’s that sort of place. People make pilgrimages, then become addicted. It’s about the journey and the destination both.

Hattie and her family travelled as guests of Isles of Scilly Travel ( islesofscilly-travel.co.uk ). Hell Bay Hotel offers stays for family of four from £290, including breakfast.

Bryher, Isles of Scilly TR23 0PR (01720 422947; hellbay.co.uk )

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Our winter flight schedule operating out of Land’s End Airport is now LIVE and ready for bookings!

How to Get to Isles of Scilly

Direct routes to the islands.

Travel from Penzance, Land’s End Airport, Cornwall Newquay Airport and Exeter International Airport to the Isles of Scilly. Enjoy Cornwall’s iconic coastline from a whole new perspective few others get to see. We’re experienced at flying and sailing people to and from the Islands, so whichever of our four departure points you choose, we’ll try to ensure your experience of Scilly starts before you’ve even arrived.

Fixed Wing Plane

Land’s End Airport – 20 minutes, year round Newquay Airport- 30 minutes, year round Exeter Airport- 60 minutes, from March to November .

Passenger Ferry

Scillonian iii.

Penzance Harbour to St. Mary’s Harbour- 2hrs 45 minutes journey time Scillonian operates from March – November .

Fixed Wing Plane and Ferry

Fly from Land’s End Airport on Skybus to St. Mary’s (20 mins). Return on Scillonian passenger ferry from St. Mary’s Harbour arriving into Penzance Harbour (2hrs 45 minutes) Fly + Sail tickets are available from March – November .