Sensational ISLES OF SCILLY
These islands provide exotic adventure surprisingly close to home
White-sand beaches, clear blue waters, subtropical gardens and gourmet food – sounds like a far-flung paradise, right? The thing is, you can find all this here in the
UK, if you head for the Isles of Scilly. This activity-packed archipelago just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall is living proof that you don’t have to travel far from home to expand your horizons in 2024.
The most south-westerly point of the UK, the Isles of Scilly are great for a short break that feels romantically exotic. Across five inhabited islands, you can connect with people and nature through small-scale tourism – there are no big crowds here – and enjoy the freedom of the great outdoors all year round. Whether you’re most drawn by beautiful beaches such as Great Bay or Pelistry, or the thriving local food scene, just hop on
Skybus and fly to the Isles of Scilly from Land’s End, Exeter or Newquay, or take the iconic passenger ferry Scillonian III from Penzance to St Mary’s.
Despite the relaxed atmosphere, there’s so much to do here, so days can be as full or quiet as you’d like. Tackle coastal path walks or relax on beaches, visit a quaint seafood shack or enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding in clear waters. There are vineyards to explore on the islands, a rum distillery and a place to make your own gin, and a golf course with panoramic water views. As for families visiting the Isles of Scilly, nothing beats a lazy day of rock-pool safaris or beachcombing, or more energetic coasteering if you have teens in tow.
And, of course, island-hopping is an activity in itself here. Jump on board an inter-island boat from St Mary’s harbour and you can see the famous Abbey Garden on Tresco – an enchanting sanctuary for 20,000 plants from around the world – the stargazing observatory on St Martin’s or art galleries on Bryher. You can even visit some of the 140 or so uninhabited islands in the Isles of Scilly, home to seabirds and Bronze Age ruins.
With everything to experience in the Isles of Scilly, it’s tempting to try to see it all when you visit in 2024. But it’s best to take it slow, get into the groove and feel the spirit of the islands. Because whether you visit on a one-day trip from Cornwall or for an entire week, one thing is certain: you’ll want to come back.