Isles of Scilly

[TheMumEdit]

Next year we will only be able to afford a UK break and thinking of Isles of Scilly . Has anyone been and can recommend a child friendly place to stay?

We previously stayed in a Haven in York which was lovely but weather variable. Looking for something similar.

The IoS is properly lovely but is NOT a budget break in terms of accommodation or getting there.

Neither is it a Haven holiday camp. There is very little to do apart from being out in nature - boat rides, bike hire, walks, swimming (the sea is much colder than it looks!) with a pub and a couple of cafes / restaurants on each island - plus a few shops and a small museum on St Mary's.

There are no child friendly "attractions" in the Haven holiday sense. If it rains, you're a bit f*cked, unless you don't mind getting wet or playing board games.

It is magnificently beautiful and a joy, but ...... not really for children unless they are just happy to do beach and boat trips.

We went just after COVID. If you've got kids that want to go a bit feral and enjoy beaches and coastal walks, perfect but if you are looking for softplay or themed attraction s you'll be out if luck.

Agree with @Cabbagesandcustard the Isles of Scilly are an expensive destination. Only around 2100 people live there and the islands small so there is limited choice of where to stay and no large facilities.

Tresco is an extremely expensive holiday venue.

We had a fabulous holiday on St Martin’s, took Ferry to Saint Mary’s (just under 4 hrs from Penzance), speedboat transfer to St Martin’s which has one road, one fish and chips shop (open twice a week), one pub, and a couple of tea shops. About 120 people live on the island. It is a stunningly beautiful place but absolutely nothing like a Haven Holiday Park!

We go over every summer with the in-laws and have done since the children were approximately 3yrs old. Itinery is basically walking to a different beach every day with a picnic. One day they will do an hour horse riding on the beach. We might go to a different island on a couple of days. Usually Bryher to buy some goodies from the bakery honesty box and maybe St Agnes. Maybe one evening supper boat trip to the Turks Head. Evening walks up to the garrison to watch the sun set. It’s not a cheap holiday in any way though.

It’s a fabulous holiday - and you’d easily find beaches to yourself etc - but it is as expensive as a foreign holiday & definitely has no Haven type entertainment. You can hire kayaks & also visit uninhabited islands for a picnic - it’s wonderful & unique - but not entertainment on tap.

For more budget accommodation try Longstone Lodge on St Mary’s.

But please do check this type of holiday will suit you.

Yes, agree with everyone. It’s a unique place with prices to match but nothing like a Haven holiday!

Have you looked at the prices? You need to own the Duchy of Cornwall or have been renting the same cottage for the same week for at leastv30 years.

There are similar holiday parks to Haven on the Isle of Wight. Far easier to get to as well.

It will be far cheaper to drive to France via the tunnel and find a holiday cottage in Normandy.

IoS are lovely, scenery is amazing but it is fundamentally a walking holiday. Kind of a beach holiday but I don't consider UK weather reliable enough to be confident of spending every day on the beach.

I'd recommend Isle of Wight as well. Much easier to get to, lots of options for accommodation, lots to do for families

Scillonian to IoS in Aug for a family of 4 for a week is in the region of £600 - £700. You can book a self catering cottage now for next Aug for £2 - 3k.

Red Funnel to the IoW for a week for a car is approx £150.

If you can afford Scilly, you can afford somewhere abroad. Even camping is pricey and it's definitely nothing like Haven! If it rains you either walk in the rain or stay in. Your children need to be semi feral and able to walk long distances to get the most out it. The sea is cold! Getting a cottage in school holidays is near impossible unless you have been booking in advance for years.

In the nicest possible way, you need to do a bit more research! IOS are very expensive. The whole place is child friendly, so long as you're not an anxious parent and are happy to let them have their freedom, in which case it's ideal.

It's one of my list of Bucket locations. Whenever I have looked at it - to do some type of Island Hopping, usually with walking is over £2k as Solo traveller. I wouldn't think of doing this with my children when they were young. Very little accommodation forces the cost of accommodation.

Ha ha, unless the type of 'abroad' that is out of budget this year is a swim up suite at Ikos, then the Isles of Scilly aren't ever going to be a cheaper alternative.

Where are you in the country? If you don't travel too far that will help limit the cost so look at other Caravan/lodge sites in Northumberland, East Anglia, Ayr & Galloway or Pembrokeshire depending on where's not too far but new to you?

Thanks all. I have looked at some accommodation and it’s within budget so not worried about that.

I an aware it’s not Haven! We don’t enjoy Haven entertainment but the park I referred to is next to a beach and lots of day activities. My kids are active and we’d need plenty of active opportunities during the day. Night time we tend to do movie nights etc so not fussed about evening entertainment.

Yes in theory we could afford abroad but the type of holiday abroad on budget don’t appeal to us.

Sounds bliss. We love those type of holidays

Well if you are looking at 2026 then maybe you will be ok. It does book well in advance. When we went we were lucky and got a place that had had a cancellation. Definitely not cheap.

Probably best to stay in St Mary's as that is the hub and you can get to all the other islands from there.

Travelling there from Penzance by the Scillonian can be lovely, if the sea is relatively calm. Again,we were lucky with this. But be aware it can also be a notoriously rough crossing.

Tis lovely though!