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Scilly Isles advice please

(38 Posts)
mumofmadboys Sun 03-Sept-23 17:15:36

We are wondering about going to the Scilly Islands next summer. Is it best to stay on St Mary's? We will hope to be in a self catering cottage. Anyone been recently and what advice would you have please. TIA.

Shill29 Tue 05-Sept-23 18:22:11

Definitely fly and would recommend Tresco! You can fly direct from Lands End airport

dizzygran Tue 05-Sept-23 18:41:42

it is nice - a bit swallows and amazons. we flew over and got the boat back - much better to fly. Not a lot to do there or much of a choice of cafes.

Ranworth1 Tue 05-Sept-23 20:18:33

Isles of Scilly, not Scilly Isles.

twiglet77 Tue 05-Sept-23 21:16:57

amp.theguardian.com/travel/2023/jun/03/walking-holiday-on-the-scilly-isles-cornwall

It’s on my bucket list.

Do immerse yourself in Raynor Winn’s wonderful books (before any trip to the West Country actually)!

mumofmadboys Tue 05-Sept-23 23:02:56

Thanks all. Your comments are encouraging me to book!
Thanks too for the Guardian artice Twiglet. Look forward to reading it.

21Tinkerbell Wed 06-Sept-23 07:17:38

We went a few years ago with our, as then, yc. We all loved it because the small scale meant everything was do-able by all. Only thing we found was fruit and veg very expensive as they had to be imported. Would love to go back again. Would fly if possible.

25Avalon Wed 06-Sept-23 08:58:00

We got the train from Bristol, with the dog, to Penzance station where a shuttle awaited to take us to the airport at St. Just. It was a 15 minute flight to St. Mary’s airport where another shuttle waited to take us into town to the quay. Everyone was very helpful and it was a smooth transition. If travelling on to another island the boatmen will happily carry your luggage on board for you.

Ps after all this we are now going to see if we can book Tregarthen Hotel in St. Mary’s for next June.

VB000 Wed 06-Sept-23 10:44:26

Went over to Tresco to see the stunning Abbey Gardens in the 1990s, by boat from Penzance. The crossing was very rough.

One of the crew told us that it's because it's where the English Channel meets the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic, so it's the swell. However he said the return wouldn't be so bad, and it wasn't.

Joseann Wed 06-Sept-23 11:19:47

Yes, the swell, and the fact a Scillonian is a flat bottomed vessel. So not only does it go up and down, but also from side to side.

25Avalon Wed 06-Sept-23 15:09:32

Scillonian 111 is due to be replaced by Scillonian IV in March 2026. It will be 3 tier and take 600 passengers and will be fitted with stabilisers which should stop it rolling. It looks very swish but I think I’ll still stick with the plane!!

Barmeyoldbat Wed 06-Sept-23 16:21:35

We went by boat many years ago and despite having sailed to Singapore and Sweden without being sick I was sick the whole way over. I was stood on the deck in the fresh air, ate a light breakfast and condition. We were told, we’re the best they had ever know Yet there was me the only one on the boat being really sick

Fleurpepper Wed 06-Sept-23 18:14:42

Looks like we will have to wait until 2026! But will dogs be allowed?