Isles of Scilly - worth it?

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For some reason I've been hankering after a trip to Isles of Scilly for a few years. OH has now agreed and last night I was looking at booking something for late spring next year.

It's what I'd consider very expensive for what is essentially a UK trip - obviously costs for transfers and accommodation are higher as they are island communities so lots of goods need to be brought in. I appreciate that. Plus I do like a decent standard of accommodation. It was coming out at £3k+ for a 4 night break. Plus there would be dinner expenses etc so likely more than that in practice.

I'd really like to know from someone who has been if they think it's worth it? We're not really one for nature watching or rambling but appreciate decent food and a nice relaxing break

Absolutely!
Stunning beaches , clear water felt like we were abroad. Tresco is beautiful, worth island hopping.
Juliets Garden , St Mary's for amazing seafood inc smoked mackerel pate ....
GO !

Thank you I will! I've no idea where the initial hankering to visit came from now and I've only heard good things but I did baulk a bit when I costed it up last night

It is pricey but quite unique within UK - we added it late on and could only find a 1 night stay by time we booked but was worth it. We flew from Penzance on the helicopter over, something like £500 for 4 of us over but magnificent views and first helicopter trip and kids were so excited. Then we stayed 1 night on Tresco, that I think was £400 for 2 rooms B&B, lovely breakfast and views and enabled us to do more - it also includes a transfer to and from hotel by golf buggy which was nice. We went round Tresco to the Abbey Gardens they are wonderful and like a tropical garden abroad and that was also included in our stay. Red squirrels were lovely. Beautiful coastal walks around island and went kayaking. We did not have time to use spa but that was also included.

Then we got a boat, hired it for £50 back to St Marys, that was well worth it as boat to ourselves and saw the islands. Then small plane back, again around £500 one way to Lands End but loved it and the kids first time on a small plane.

I would strongly recommend it, with the price of things you just need to research and think about the value to you but there are lots of special things to do there. Wonderful food there as well.

I have been on day drips - taking the helicopter or ferry from Penzance. It is beautiful and you can visit different islands. I think you need good weather to really enjoy your stay. I would say 4 days is enough and 3k plus is too expensive - unless it is a package with meals.

Thank you all - that's super helpful. We were looking at June so hopefully weather would be kind and avoid school holidays

I would agree with the good weather is best, we had a beautiful day and lots of the things are outdoors. We went in summer. It is nice to visit different islands though be careful no issue with boats running between them due to weather etc. Some of the places get booked up with people returning each year and don't go on open market we found. Also sometimes a week can be cheaper than 4 nights as some places are for week stays only.

This is the view from the small plane as we flew back. The planes are small, seats 19 and its lovely, helicopter similar, we were lucky to be in front row.

Yes, it's absurdly lovely - if the weather is lovely.

But if you're unlucky with the weather, there is almost nothing to do indoors apart from eat.... i can only think of one small museum on St Mary's and a handful of shops / craft workshops.

I love it there but if you're not into walking or being in nature, I'm not sure it's really the place for you. You have to go geared up for rain and drizzle and be prepared to get out and about in all weathers otherwise you could waste your (very expensive) holiday holed up sheltering from the drizzle.

The sea looks tropical but definitely doesn't feel it (very cold all year round!).

There is no car transport (apart from locally owned vehicles) - you can get cabs on St Mary's if you need to, but on the other islands I think you're limited to walking or hiring bikes. Hiring a golf buggy on St Mary's was fun for the day but not cheap and the distances aren't really worth it.

Food on St Mary's (main island) is pretty good, but fairly simple - pub food, tea gardens etc - not really high-end, fine dining. There is one posh hotel - Star Castle which probably has a good dining room.

There are upmarket hotels on St Martin's and Bryher but then very little other choice of evening dining options (boats do not run regularly in the evenings so you need to make sure you get the last one back to where you're staying). St Martin's has a pub but don't think there is anywhere else open in the evenings. Even less on tiny Bryher.

Tresco might be a better bet for you; the whole island is run as a resort so it's more geared up for relaxing holidays. The scenery is beautiful but it does feel like very upmarket Centreparcs holiday camp and is also extremely expensive to stay on (even more so than the others).

We went at Easter with PIL. It is beautiful, lovely views, very relaxing because there is nothing to do - but if you don't like walking I don't know why you would spend the money. Especially as the weather could be awful and visibility zero in which case you could be anywhere!

If you are going to sit and look at the sea view where you are, or get a boat to another island and sit where they drop you off, you'll come home wondering why on earth you've just spent £4k imo.

Why do you think you’ve been hankering to go there? If you can say what you’re expecting, it’s easier to say if that can be met!

I go with the kids every year and we love it, but you do need to be realistic about the weather - you may get amazing sunshine or torrential rain, often in the same day, so the less time you’re there the less chance of the weather being decent.

The “stock” of accommodation is very limited, which makes booking somewhere quite difficult. They’re also suffering massively with staff shortages too, so some restaurants aren’t able to provide their usual opening times, and it’s quite hard to book.

None of this bothers us - we pack waterproofs and are self-catering so we can work around it. But I’m not sure it will tick your boxes.

True story though - one year DH came over to join us partway through the week, and when he got off the boat he didn’t recognise me because I looked so much more relaxed. For me, it’s a magic place

It's absolutely worth it if you like walking, boat trips, water sports and relaxing. You do need to be prepared for any weather though and as a previous poster says there is very little to do indoors. Tresco might suit you better as there is a spa and swimming pools. It was our least favourite island when we first started going but now that we're older and don't feel the need to be on the main island, we really like it.
We enjoyed several family holidays on St Mary's and we camped to keep the cost down. It can be very expensive for a family and we traveled down from NE England.
Now our DC are grown up, we've bought an island share on Tresco for a week in September for the next 15 years. Looking forward to our trip in 5 weeks time - it's impossible not to feel better there and because it's a bit tricky to get to, you really feel as though you've gone away.

I love Scilly, but I think if you're not an outdoorsy type, you might be slightly disappointed given the costs you've mentioned. How do you like to relax?

@choirmumoftwo We are about to stay on Tresco for a week. I realise it will be pretty expensive but we are used to London prices. Do you have any tips or recommendations? Just DH and I. TIA.

We had the most fabulous break there last year. We stayed on Tresco which was beautiful, but Bryher was my favourite island. We got the helicopter from Penzance which was over and done with in 15 minutes - I flatly refuse to go on the ferry, it's notorious for causing terrible sickness.

Be aware, the sea is ICE cold. We went in July but couldn't go in without a wetsuit. I live in Cornwall so you wouldn't think it'd be radically different but it is.

My favourite aspects:

Doing the circular route of Tresco at dusk. We set up camp in one of the castles to watch the sunset. It was very magical.

A wildlife spotting boat trip. Hundreds of dolphins all around the boat, it was insane. Seals in the distance and of course heaps of sea birds

Exploring Bryher, feeling like a character from a Michael Morpurgo story.

Kayaking across from Brhyer to Samson, checking out the old ruins. There really isn't much to see and when I went it was a total wilderness, no proper paths up to them, but it felt more authentic that way.

The icecream. God knows what they put in it but it's the most divine stuff.

The chips at the pub on Tresco. Proper nice. Pizza at the other restaurant was v good too.

The stunning view of the islands from the helicopter. In fact the breathtaking views from walks around Tresco and Brhyer generally.

The chap at the bike hire shop on Tresco. He was really kind and came to my rescue, despite having plenty he needed to be doing!

The sand. It's white and soft, and has all these crushed pearlescent shells in it so it sparkles in the sun.

The feeling of trust. Everyone just leaving their doors open and bikes everywhere.

My LEAST favourite aspects:

The chips at the pub on St Agnes. They tasted like urinals smell!

St Agnes in general. I wouldn't be in a rush to go back there. I just felt bored.

The rats. Not their fault of course but it wasn't great seeing them round about the buildings on Tresco. Some idiots were feeding them!

The feeling of being stuck if you get a ferry over and miss the last one back. I had a lovely guy give me a free ride on his boat when I missed the last ferry.

The expense! Of course it's understandable but it was staggering how much even basic things set you back, never mind souvenirs etc

The dodgy quality of the fresh produce. I guess because it's done so much travelling. I did feel kind of scurvied by the time I was done though!

That's about it I think! It was a once in a lifetime type trip for me, I'm so happy I went.

@LadyLapsang I don't have any specific recommendations other than to just enjoy the islands. Visit them all on boat trips and decide which you like best. Bryher has always been my favourite but they all have something different to offer. Plan to eat out at lunchtime when you're 'off island' for a bit of variety. We had a lovely meal at On The Quay on St Mary's and the sandwiches from the bakery on St Martins are legendary. It is undeniably expensive but more manageable when there are only two of you.
It's worth getting a spectator boat to watch the gig racing on a nice evening and a trip out to Bishop Rock is awe inspiring. Enjoy!!

www.mincarloscilly.com is a lovely place to stay

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