Tourist guide to cheap hotels in The Isles of Scilly

Isles of Scilly

SummaryThe 140 or so islands that make up the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles off the coast of Land’s End in Cornwall, are an ideal holiday destination for anyone wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. All apart from half a dozen of the islands are uninhabited, and only one, St Mary’s, is inhabited by more than 200 people.
The warm climate means the islands are home to a variety of interesting flora and fauna. Tourism accounts for approximately 85 per cent of the islands’ economy; most visitors stay on the main island, St Mary’s. There are many bargain hotels in the Scilly Isles.

Getting there/getting around the Isles of ScillyIt is possible to reach the islands by sea or by air. The Isles of Scilly Skybus offers flights to St Mary’s Airport, the only airport on the islands, from Land’s End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton. A helicopter service is also in place, with flights from Penzance Heliport to St Mary’s Airport and Tresco Heliport.
Every day from April to October every year, the islands are connected by a boat service. Taxis run from outside the town hall on St Mary’s, which is the only island with any kind of extensive road network. Bicycles can also be hired on this island. Also cheap guest houses.
Beaches on the Isles of ScillyThe Isles of Scilly’s mild climate makes the beaches a very attractive proposition for tourists. The beaches at Rushy Bay and Hell Bay, on the island of Bryher, are great places to catch a few rays of sun. The island of Samson, meanwhile, has a number of sandy beaches, as does St Martin’s.
Par Beach, which is considered to be the best beach on St Martin’s, is home to a diving centre – and there are a number of sunken wrecks worth exploring. The clear beaches on this island provide some excellent opportunities for swimming, diving or simply bathing.
Sightseeing on the Isles of ScillyIt is worth hiring a horse or a bike to see the sights, including the Garrison Hill on St Mary’s or Gweal Hill on Bryher, which both afford some stunning views. Or take a sightseeing cruise around the uninhabited Eastern Isles, where you can see the Atlantic grey seal, plus different species of seabirds.
A Wizard jet boat, which takes about an hour to speed round the islands, offers some stunning views and photo opportunities. And for a little slice of history, the Iron Age village at Halangy Down, on St Mary’s, provides an interesting insight into how people used to live on the island.
Family attractions on the Isles of ScillyThe mild climate has led to an abundance of subtropical plants on the islands. The Abbey Gardens on Tresco are home to some exotic plants that benefit from the long hours of sunshine the islands get in the summer, as is Carreg Dhu Garden, on St Mary’s.

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Kids will also enjoy seeing St Agnes Lighthouse and the Bishop, Britain’s highest lighthouse, plus Cromwell’s Castle on Tresco. The Isles of Scilly Museum, on St Mary’s, contains material from sunken ships, stuffed birds and examples of local art.
Day trips around the Isles of ScillyWhile you’re in the area it’s worth exploring some of the Isles of Scilly’s uninhabited islands, which are accessible by boat. With its sandy beaches and deserted cottages, the island of Samson, for instance, is a popular draw.
St Agnes’s bulb fields provide some lovely views, and if the tide is low take a walk over to the island of Gugh, inhabited by only three people.
Shopping on the Isles of ScillyUnsurprisingly, there isn’t a great deal to buy on the islands, though you’ll be all right if you’re looking for sailing equipment. A few galleries sell sculptures and paintings by local artists and pottery and stained-glass items are on sale.
St Mary’s is the best place in the islands for shopping – there are a few little shops on the island that sell souvenirs with a local flavour, such as maritime goods. You should also be able to pick up some quality clothing, such as jumpers.
Eating out on the Isles of ScillyThere are several excellent restaurants on the islands, especially if you’re a fan of seafood. The Boat Shed, which has great views of the harbour of St Mary’s, gives local flavours a Mediterranean taste, while the grilled gevrik (local goat’s cheese) ratatouille at the Round Island Bar and Bistro is recommended.
The Teän Restaurant, on St Martin’s, has some tasty dishes, such as Scillonian sea bass or Cornish turbot. If you’re not quite in the mood for a full meal, try a crab sandwich or a delicious Cornish pasty in one of the several pubs on the islands.
Nightlife on the Isles of ScillyFor a place with such a small population, it’s no surprise that there isn’t much in the way of evening entertainment, though the local pubs are very welcoming and some put on entertainment at times, especially in the summer.
St Mary’s hosts a variety show three nights a week every fortnight, and you can watch plays performed by the local amateur dramatic society. The Boatman’s Association also runs evening trips, out into the wild or to some of the smaller islands.

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