tresco, isle of scilly - self-catering etc

[emmaij]

has anyone rented a house on the island? or stayed at the island hotel? I've heard that there are houses to rent through the hotel -that are time-share properties- and was wondering what they were like. Any feedback about tresco as a summer holiday destination gratefully received.

[codswallop]

Yes on tresco.

there is really NOTHOING there so if you like that you are ok. A long weekend was enought for us. Its quite ra ish too but undeniably beautiful - like the Princess of Wales!

[codswallop]

ps the places are really expensive. We stayed at the parsonage as my Dad was doing some vicar ing there. Dont forget to factor in the cost of the flights

[Bobsmum]

Emmaij - we stayed on Tresco for a week when I was 18 (erk - 9 years ago!). We had a self catering cottage with access to an outdoor swimming pool. It was absolutely gorgeous. The abbey gardens are fantastic. People are very friendly. Hiring bikes is well worth while.
We'd stayed in St Marys the previous year for a less isolated experience, but I much preferred Tresco.
We took the helicopter from Penzance.
The Island Hotel does lovely food if I remember rightly. I'll phone my mum to see if she remembers who we booked the cottages through. She still get the Tresco Times delivered as a previous "resident" of the island.

[Bobsmum]

cods - helicopter is extortionate, tiny plane is cheaper but more scary. Parents feeling very wealthy at the time! Had pretensions of ra !

[codswallop]

did you see lots of them BM?

[codswallop]

ps if it rains it really rains.. Nice playground at the school tho

[codswallop]

www.tresco.co.uk

[Bobsmum]

Codz - did I see lots of who? Parents? Ras?

[emmaij]

thanks cods and bobsmum. Could you find out who your Mum booked the cottage through, bobsmum. I might look in to it a bit more.

don't mind isolation and not a lot going on, but would be a bit appalled to find myself in fulham-by-the sea (if you get my drift)

[Janeway]

Stayed on St Mary's (main island in the Scilly Isles) for a week once when dp & I were first together (15 years ago now) and had a fine time - there are more ferries (if you can call the wee shuttle boats that) from St Mary's to the other isles than you'll get from Tresco and so is an easier base for island hopping, and there's also a small supermarket for getting your groceries plus a couple of pubs should you fancy an evening out. The main town on St Mary's is really only a tiny village and very picturesque with a harbour on one side and a little beach on the other - once you get outwith the village there's many isolated spots, but you're still only a cycle ride from the town should you need something.

We visited Tresco for one day - the gardens were beautiful, but I'd not want to be based there for a week as it's very quiet and a bit far from even basic amenities. dp used to be taken to the isles when he was a kid and I think there was very little to do other than fish for your tea, but provided your wee ones like walking, paddling and entertaining themselves it could be fun.

We went by boat from Penzance - provided it's not too choppy it's a good trip - you sea lots of wildlife and it doesn't take too long - however I'm biased, I think the only way to arrive at an island is by boat - it gives you a real feel of where you're going to.

[bettys]

emmaij - Isles of Scilly is absolutely our favourite place to holiday. I first stayed there in the 80's on St Mary's (single & pre-ds) and had a whale of a time. Last year took dp & ds to Bryher (Hell Bay Hotel), went back at Easter (Bryher self-catering) & are going back again in September (Hell Bay again).

It very much depends what you're after in a holiday. The islands are like stepping back in time ie there are very few cars on Bryher or St Agnes so you have to walk or cycle everywhere. But as a bucket & spade holiday with a bit of sailing/walking/mucking about in boats it can't be beaten. Tresco is very expensive, and a bit more Boden. The other islands are very unpretentious, and each has their own character. Bryher is our favourite, followed by St Martins's (also visited by Jude Law apparently), St Agnes, Tresco & St Mary's. There's lots to see & explore by island hopping on the launches, even when it rains. I've got there by plane, helicopter & boat, and the best way is easily the helicopter, though quite expensive.
Self-catering on the other islands is far cheaper, but often booked up years in advance. I tried to book for summer 2004 for the cottage we had & was told the same people come back year on year for the same weeks. There's more availibility on Tresco., but I read a report last year that in peak summer months it's a bit like Rock, with similar problems.

I could go on about it for ages. Actually no, it's a horrible place, you don't want to go......

[codswallop]

ras.

I went on the helicopter.

[Eeek]

If you do go the wildlife tours with Will Wagstaff are very good. The boat has a reputation for making you sick in even mildly poor weather although the view as you go past Longships is brilliant. If you can get someone to take you out to Nor Nor -there's a lovely prehistoric settlement there. Oh, and the gig racing is fab - get onto one of the ferries and follow the course.

[codswallop]

ps bet Jude and Sadie arnt going there any more...