UK & Ireland

Lying 30 miles off the tip of the Cornish Coast, the Isles of Scilly are an island paradise providing stunning white sand beaches, azure waters and a wonderful climate where sub-tropical plants thrive in a truly unique environment.

Whether you choose to travel by plane, helicopter or take the passenger ferry, just getting to the Isles of Scilly is a unique experience with wonderful views of the western tip of the British Isles.

So much to explore

Once you arrive, there are five inhabited Islands (St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martins, St Agnes and Bryher) and over a hundred uninhabited islands waiting to be discovered along with a wide range of things to do from hiring bikes, or horse riding to setting off on one of the many foot paths that cross the Islands, or taking one of the many boat trips to the other Islands or simply find one of the Islands café’s, pub or restaurants and enjoy the stunning views the Islands are famous for.

A slower pace of life

One of the best things you can do on the Isles of Scilly is discover your own favourite bay or stretch of sand, sit back, relax and enjoy the slower pace of life, unique landscape and the warm gulf-stream climate.

Traffic free zones

Given that the Islands (apart from the capital St Mary’s) are virtually traffic free, apart from the odd tractor, the Isles of Scilly not only make a fantastic getaway for people looking for life’s simple pleasures, but the peace and tranquillity also make a unique destination to discover - particularly for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day life.

What to Do?

Activities on the Isles of Scilly tend to revolve around the great outdoors. One of the best experiences is to simply explore the Islands on foot – whether that’s the main Island St Mary’s or by taking a short boat trip to one of the other inhabited Islands or one of the many uninhabited islands.

With its shops, restaurants and pubs, there is plenty to see and do on St Mary’s. Give your feet a rest on a sight-seeing bus trip or take a leisurely stroll around the fortified Garrison Walls.

Let your feet do the walking

Nature plays a major role in life on Scilly - during the big spring tides of the Equinox, the sea retreats from the channel between Tresco and Bryher enabling you to take a unique journey on foot from one island to the other.

Kew with the roof off

One of the Islands jewels is the internationally renowned Tresco Abbey Garden - dubbed Kew with the roof off - a botanical paradise created around the ruins of a Benedictine Priory in 1834. The garden contains exotic plants many of which couldn't survive outdoors in any other part of the UK, with hundreds of the 20,000 subtropical species collected by Scillonian sea captains on their travels in New Zealand, South Africa, the Canary Islands Australia and South America.

www.tresco.co.uk/what-to-do/abbey-garden/default.aspx

Explore at your own pace

The 60+ miles of coastal footpaths, provide some of the most fantastic views anywhere in the UK. Whether you want to explore on your own or have one of the Islands guides point out the features, history and places of interest, walking on Scilly is a wonderful experience.

For a spot of sightseeing on the water, try one of the regular trips that head to the uninhabited Islands of Tean, St Helens and the Eastern Isles and Annet, where you can train your binoculars on the likes of puffins, seals, guillemots and storm petrels.

Launches leave St Mary’s harbour many times during the day starting at 9.45am and offer a variety of choices between direct sailings, circular tours and more specialised trips to look at historic sites, seals and seabirds or to go fishing.

An underwater world

There is also a lot to see under the surface of Scilly, on glass-bottomed boats where you can peer at seals, star fish and sea sponges. Or for the more adventurous you can swim with the seals on a guided snorkelling tour, which also gives you the opportunity to see fantastic sea life up close including two spot and sand gobies, pipe fish, prawns, shore crabs, wrasse, and the occasional jellyfish! And if you are really lucky baby plaice – thanks to the wonderful clarity of the water.

www.scillydiving.com

The islands' history

To delve into the history of the Islands, head to the museum in Hugh Town (St Mary’s), where captivating displays include relics salvaged from sunken ships, the Iron Age Bryher Sword and an illustrated account of the islands’ role in the English Civil War can be seen. The Islands are also home to some of the best-preserved Bronze Age tombs and archaeological sites anywhere in the UK, such as the remains of an ancient village on Halangy Down and a chamber tomb at Bant’s Carn.

For a chance to find your own bit of history, simply roll up your trouser legs and hunt for beads at Beady Pool on St. Agnes – where tiny terracotta and glass beads from a 17th century shipwreck that foundered on the Islands whilst en-route from Amsterdam to Lisbon can still be found. While doing so the shrimps are attracted to the heat radiated from your feet and dance on your toes.

Recapture your childhood

Shrimping season begins at the start of July and finishes at the end of September. The best time to go shrimping is on a low tide.

The lack of traffic on the islands and the crime free environment means that they are perfect for families who can enjoy the opportunity to roam, play and discover what the Isles of Scilly are all about.

Local crafts

Aside from an abundance of natural and historical treasures, the Islands are also a hive of artistic activity, from paintings and pottery to stained glass and abstract art, bold seascapes and hand made silver jewellery – all produced and sold on the Islands.

For further information on the Isles of Scilly visit: www.simplyscilly.co.uk