Travelling to the Isles of Scilly
The islands are easily accessed by helicopter or passenger boat from Penzance and fixed wing aircraft from Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Newquay and Lands End.
Travel Arrangements
To Penzance:
By train or car. The car may be left at Penzance Heliport, Lands End Airport or at the car park by the British Rail station and harbour.
Penzance to St. Mary's:
(a) By British International Helicopters Ltd. to St. Mary's Airport. The journey takes 20 minutes.
(b) By the scheduled Isles of Scilly Skybus service from Lands End, Newquay, Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton Airports using fixed wing Otter and Islander aircraft. (Booking Office Tel: 0845 710 5555). (c) By sea, on board the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company's vessel "Scillonian III". The voyage takes about two and a half hours.
(Steamship Company Tel: 01736 362009 or 0845 710 5555)
It is advisable to book on the ship during July and August. During the summer months the ship travels to and from Penzance and the Isles of Scilly daily, Monday to Saturday.
(d) There is an inexpensive Taxi service available for the short journey from the airport to The Guard House and also for St Mary's harbour for transfer to Bryher.
NOTES
(1) All helicopter, Skybus and Steamship Company bookings can be made through appointed travel agents.
(2) Visitors should be prepared for interruptions in air travel due to bad weather or breakdown, resulting in an overnight stay in Penzance or an extra night on Scilly.
(3) There are no air or sea services between Scilly and the mainland on Sundays.
(4) The Duchy is not able to make travel or hotel bookings for visitors.
The Duchy of Cornwall strongly recommend that visitors travelling to the Isles of Scilly take out travel insurance, as regrettably, the Duchy cannot be held responsible for any loss or expense incurred as a result of the holiday cottage becoming unavailable. The Duchy are unable to refund travel costs.
The Isles of Scilly are some twenty-eight miles South-West of Lands End and consist of more than a hundred islands, of which only five are inhabited. The whole of this beautiful archipelago is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a wealth of archaeological interest under the supervision of English Heritage. The main industries of the Islands are tourism, flower farming and fishing.
Passenger launch services operate between the main off-islands twice daily throughout the season and fishing trips can also be arranged with local boatmen. Apart from swimming and sailing, various other activities are open to visitors during their stay including horse riding, diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, tennis, squash, cycling and golfing – St. Mary’s boasts a nine-hole golf course. Several hotels and a number of restaurants welcome visitors to the island and the museum offers an alternative for those whose interests lie in archaeology or natural history. The Islands are home to many artists and craftsmen and women with studios providing activities such as stained glass making, basket weaving and pottery as well as art galleries.
The Guard House and Little House contain a comprehensive information file on year round activities and attractions.You will find in the cottage information pack, Ordnance Survey maps and recommended walks plus advice on the best beaches which are never crowded
There is very little traffic on the Islands with numerous trails to explore, ideal for walking or biking.
The Guard House garden terrace
All islands have excellent visitor facilities with good food available from pubs and hotels.
Please click on the images below for some views of the Isles of Scilly:
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Tresco – visit the Abbey Gardens - a perennial Kew without the glass, shrugging off salt spray and Atlantic gales to host 20,000 exotic plants.
The garden is home to species from 80 countries, ranging from Brazil to New Zealand and Burma to South Africa. Beautiful walks, stunning beaches, harbour, excellent pub and hotel and English Civil war defences.
St Martins – Rugged North coastline with rocky outcrops and sandy beaches, the South Coast has superb sandy beaches. Wander the length of the island, visit a flower farm and local craft shops. A stunning tranquil island with panoramic views over the other islands.
Bryher - The smallest community of the inhabited islands of the Scillies The West coast faces the full force of the Atlantic rollers with the aptly named Hell bay. A rugged island with a character of its own, cliff top walks and perhaps the best panoramic view on the islands can be experienced from the top of Watch Hill.
St Agnes - The most South-Westerly of the Islands, St Agnes is enchanting and tranquil, where the silence is disturbed only by birdsong and the murmur of the sea. Here you’ll find secluded sandy coves, weathered granite tors, a 17th-century lighthouse, and impressive views across the Western Rocks.
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