Great for

Couples

Duration

Full day

Activity

Food stops and views

Food and drink

Lunch at The Turks Head pub

Day trip

Scillonian

Transport

Sail to Scilly aboard Scillonian


Your journey begins at Penzance Quay, the early starts are well rewarded often with views of the sun rising over Scillonian, docked on Lighthouse Quay. Scillonian sails at 09:15 with check-in opening from 08:00, board early and enjoy coffee and bacon rolls from the on-board cafe before finding yourself a seat inside on the comfy seating or outside in the fresh sea air. The crossing takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, pods of dolphins and sea birds are often spotted from deck; keep an eye on the water and listen out for announcements.

Activity

Walking route and lunch stop


You'll arrive at St. Mary's Quay and need to take a transfer boat to St. Agnes with St. Agnes Boating. This trip is all about food and views, as you walk up the Quay on St. Agnes, take a left for the Turks Head pub. This is a great stop for hearty pub meals using fresh local ingredients and the views from the outside seating are some of the best on the islands. After lunch take a stroll to the sandbar 5 minutes walk from the pub, from here you can connect to the island of Gugh at low tide.

Lunch

Pub lunch


A stop at the islands only pub is a must, the food and drinks are homely and the service inviting, as well as the décor fascinating featuring a wealth of Isles of Scilly history adorning the walls. The view looks out across the bay to Gugh island and the vista towards the other cluster of islands that make up Scilly.

Highlights

Explore the sand bar


If the weathers fine, make time for a paddle or dip in either side of the sandbar, the waters calm and crystal clear – ideal for first time swimmers. Your next stop is a 15 minute stroll from the beach, take a left at the top of the hill and head for a cream tea at Coastguards cafe; the terrace looks out to the Western Rocks and the famous Bishop Rock Lighthouse in the distance. Your day ends with a cruise back to Penzance aboard Scillonian III, planning which island you'll visit on your next trip.

Sample itineraries

Itinerary

Itinerary

Discover Tresco's castles


Explore Cromwell's Castle on Tresco

Tresco is the second largest inhabited island on the Isles of Scilly and whilst it's home to the sub-tropical gardens, un-spoilt beaches and fine food it's also full of walking routes, ancient monuments and historic castles. Cromwell's Castle stands tall guarding the channel between Bryher and Tresco, it was built in 1651 and is one of the few surviving Cromwellian fortifications in Britain. Read on to find out more.

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Itinerary

Walk the coast - St Agnes


What to do on St Agnes island?

One of our favourite walks is to the back of the island and furthest westerly point, there’s only one quay on the island so once disembarked from the boat keep walking straight on and not to the left into town. We've pulled together a handy guide to help you catch a snippet of St Agnes in just a few short hours, read on to find out more.

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Itinerary

Itinerary

Lunch with a view -Bryher


What to do on Bryher Island?

In the summer, Bryher may look more like heaven – with Atlantic waves lapping the edges of the cove, and sandy beaches fringing the grass and wild flowers. But come here in a storm, when the breakers sweep in from the ocean and meet the first land for two thousand miles, and you’ll see Hell Bay is aptly named. And it’s one of the contrasts that makes Bryher so unique.

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Itinerary

Itinerary

Hire a golf buggy on St. Mary's


Fun Alternative to Car Hire

If walking and cycling seem a bit energetic, a golf buggy is a fun and easy way to explore the island in comfort. It’s something out of the ordinary for the whole family – and up to eight can ride – but be aware there are age limits on who can drive. What better way to see the best of St. Mary's then touring the sights in a golf buggy.

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Itinerary

Hire bikes and explore St. Mary's


Cycling Adventure on St Mary's

On St. Mary’s Island, you’ll be as close as the Isles of Scilly get to being busy. With beaches, shopping, countryside paths and coastal trails and with largely traffic-free roads and gentle slopes, the Isles of Scilly are perfect for exploring under pedal power.

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Itinerary

Walking route - St. Mary's


How long to walk around St Mary's Isles of Scilly?

St. Mary’s is criss-crossed by 30 miles of nature trails, paths and other walking routes. To see a snapshot of St. Mary’s, this walk will take you through tracks, lanes, woodland and across beaches. Read on for the full itinerary.

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Itinerary

Tresco Abbey Gardens


Tresco Abbey Gardens

A visit to the Isles of Scilly is not complete without appreciating the amazing flora and fauna, although this can be seen across the islands the best place to view thousands of tropical species is at the Tresco Abbey Gardens on Tresco island. The 19th century garden is home to some 20,000 sub-tropical plants.

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Itinerary

Walk the coast - Tresco


Top things to do on Tresco

Like anywhere on the Isles of Scilly, Tresco also has its share of beaches, panoramas and secluded spots. Pentle Bay is especially peaceful, the rugged north-east coast boasts historic forts named for both sides of the English Civil War. It’s possible to walk the length of Tresco in a few hours, read on for our guide to explore the cosmopolitan island.

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Snorkel with seals


Snorkelling with Seals on the Isles of Scilly

For nature lovers and water enthusiasts it doesn’t get any better than snorkelling with seals in their natural environment. Head to the island of St. Martin’s, and you'll find the Scilly Seal Snorkelling Co who offer excursions to the Eastern Isles to swim with the seals and make memories to cherish for a lifetime. This trip is suitable for families from age 8 upward and couples.

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Itinerary

Horse riding on the beach- St. Mary's


What to do on St Mary's Isles of Scilly?

Trotting across white sands, cantering along bridal paths and splashing in the bays – travelling on horseback is a wonderful way to experience the incredible coastal scenery around St Mary’s. And with the stables just a couple of miles from both the airport and the harbour, horse riding is the ideal activity if you’ve just arrived.

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