Why visit Isles of Scilly?
Boat tours and watersports
With more than 900 shipwrecks around these islands populated with seals and native fish species, it should be no surprise that Isles of Scilly is a popular desination for adventures above and below the surface of the sea. You can cruise the waters on a charter boat, kayak or paddleboard, join boat tours that set out with the sole purpose of spotting seals, puffins and other wildlife, or set out on shipwreck dives for the particularly adventurous types.
Castles and historical sites
The Isles of Scilly’s shipwrecks aren’t the only historical sites scattered around the islands. There are 239 scheduled monuments here – more than any other area in the British Isles. Pack a picnic for the Iron Age village at the Bant's Carn Burial Chamber and Halangy, then continue to track down tudor defences, military sites, and Cromwell’s Castle at New Grimsby Harbour.
St. Mary’s
As the Isles of Scilly’s biggest island, St. Mary’s is one of the liveliest spots to visit, with a large quay, galleries and independent shops. At the same time, there’s a huge chunk of nature around here too, including over 30 miles of wildlife trails and footpaths, tracing the way past coves and ancient villages.
Tresco
The Isles of Scilly’s second-biggest island is Tresco. There are peaceful yet wild beaches like Pentle Bay, old forts built during the English Civil War and the 19th-century Abbey Garden, a subtropical haven with 20,000 plants. Galleries and cosy cafés provide fuel for times in between outings.
Bryher
If you’re after a peaceful island, and one that’s suited to painting, hiking or taking a digital detox, Bryher is the spot. Despite being the Isles of Scilly’s smallest island, it has a fine selection of rocky or sandy shores and gorgeous granite stacks and a seabird colony at Shipman Head. Tackle the less-trodden trails, stopping for fresh local produce on the route.
St Agnes
Small, rural and splendid, St Agnes has an excellent selection of country pubs, working farms and wilder trails. This is a great place for more rugged adventures, like searching for shells and shipwreck remains or taking a day-long walking tour of the coast.
Unexplored Isles of Scilly
Try gig rowing
The local speciality sport is pilot gig rowing, a six-man or -woman race across the archipelago. When the races are scheduled, find yourself a place in one of the spectator boats to chase the race. Visitors can also join up with gig clubs if they want to get behind the oars themselves.
Swim with seals
It’s possible to get up close and personal with some of the Isles of Scilly’s most playful residents by setting off for swimming and snorkelling with Atlantic grey seals in the wild. If you’re lucky, one of them might have a nibble on your fin.
Try stargazing
Surrounded by the water and with zero light pollution, the Isles of Scilly is a definite stargazing haven. Some of the best spots include Peninnis Head in St. Mary’s, Watch Hill in Bryher and King Charles’ Castle in Tresco. There’s very little to block your view, with no mountains and very few tall buildings, so constellation-counting should be nice and simple.
Here’s how
Choosing your accommodation type goes hand-in-hand with deciding exactly where to stay. Camping on the Isles of Scilly can mean anything from simple tent pitches to smart glamping sites – and we've also got options for motorhomes and caravans too.
Whichever accommodation you go for, our tick-box filters will help you narrow down the choices to find a place that suits your style and requirements – perhaps an adults-only site or somewhere that has a play area to keep the kids happy?
Click on the links below to browse some of our popular collections:
Prefer to do a Cornwall holiday that just includes a day trip to the Isles of Scilly? Expand your search to Britain’s most south westerly point, Land’s End, or Penzance and St Ives.
