Isles of Scilly holiday

[OctoberNovemberDecember]

We'd like to go on holiday for a week in mid-September and would like to ask you all about the Scilly Isles. There'll be just me and DH, no children.

We live in London. Is it worth flying there or should we get the train to Penzance and then a boat? We don't drive.

Please tell me everything you'd like me to know about the islands, for example your favourite place, the bits you shouldn't miss, where to stay (B&Bs or hotels) etc.

Lots of places are seasonal and end of September is close of season. So check what'll be open when you're there to avoid disappointment.

Shit, that's a good point. We were going to go from 15-22 September if possible.

I believe you used to be able to get a deal on helicopter and train tickets combined.

What a wonderful idea! It will all be open in September and you will hopefully have gorgeous weather and lots of blackberrying. Flying or the new helicopter is quicker: but worth knowing that maybe 25% of the time there is flight disruption due to weather. Part of the magic of a Scilly holiday is the uncertainty about when you will get there...

We do the train, overnight in Penzance and then boat the next morning. We view the holiday as starting in Paddington. On the way back we take the boat and then the sleeper train - magical! You may find availability for this - check ASAP! Do take sea sickness pills for the boat - not necessarily needed but there is a short patch which can be choppy.

Which island are you thinking of staying on? All lovely, all a bit different.

Sorry see you don’t know where you plan to stay. Most to do on St Marys but I have never stayed there, preferring the off islands which are more idyllic and unspoilt. What’s your budget? My ideal holiday would be split across two of Bryher, St Martins and Tresco. Hotels can be pricey but are very special. Are you taking a dog? What things do you like to do? Walk? sail? Fish? Bird watching? Art?

Everything will still be open in September. The season goes on until the end of October. September is still high season so accommationcould be hard to find but it’s a beautiful month to visit. Depending on your budget Tresco could be a good option as it packaged everything together. But all the off islands run good boat services so any of the islands are achievable. Have you decided on an island yet?

Sorry forgot recommendations

Staying? Anywhere on Tresco, never had a bad self catering place on Bryher, Hell Bay Hotel, star Castle, St Mary’s HallHotel

Eating? High Tide, The Galley, On the Quay, The Ruin Cafe

Visit? All the beaches, swimming with seals

We hadn't even decided on an island yet! We like gentle walks but not 15 mile hikes. Happy to have a relaxing holiday including a bit of walking, nice restaurants, maybe a small local museum.

I reckon Tresco or Bryher then.

We had a brilliant holiday there when I was a child. We took the sleeper from Paddington, had breakfast at a Wimpy, and took the Scillonian ferry after breakfast.

The seas around the Scillies are quite shallow, and if the tide is out the ferry has to take a different route. The harbour at St Mary's is quits shallow as well so the ferry has a shallow draught and can roll quite a lot if it is choppy. If you suffer from sea sickness I would fly.

We went the first 2 weeks of September and had mixed weather. The sea was very warm, and will be lovely after the summer we have just had.

There is a lot of exploring to do on St Mary's. You must visit Tresco and look round the gardens. You can get local boats and visit the other islands.

Going back to the Scillies is on my bucket list.

The flight from Exeter is magical!

Have you looked for accomodation?

I'd love to go, but I get the impression just about everything is booked up well in advance, eg there will be people booking now for next September.

You can still get some accommodation in September you just have to shop around.

I’ve stayed at Bryher twice and visited St Mary’s, Tresco and St Martins. They’re all very different. Bryher is a bit “blasted heath”, kind of high rugged land, and sometimes a mucky beach on the open side from the shipping lanes, Tresco is all about the gardens.. if I were to go back I’d stay on St Martins, it’s greener and more cosy somehow. However go anywhere!! It’s all awesome and the boat journeys are just wonderful. I’d love to visit the uninhabited islands, maybe next time.