Winter on Scilly? You bet!

Okay, so a winter break on Scilly probably isn’t for everyone, but for those who hanker after a true encounter with island life, or who need an escape to recharge, restore self or wish to hibernate with a good book or spend time honing a new skill - the short months provide that splendid isolation. It’s not for the faint hearted; blustery, fresh sea-salty days are greeted by warm nights by the fire, with little to do (island businesses take a break for the winter) apart from focus on you. Experience a winter like nowhere else in England.

Here are top 10 reasons to visit this winter...

1. Cosy-up winter retreat

Scilly is a wonderfully romantic place - and in the depths of an isolated winter, perhaps even more so. On Tresco winters are an intimate affair, a time to reconnect with the island, to discover at its salt-kissed natural best. The newly renovated New Inn is the perfect home-from-home; this warm and welcoming sanctuary is the cosy heart of island winters. Take timeout to reawaken the senses, hunker down in the warming bliss of cosy fires, luxury rooms, and hearty suppers. During the day explore the beauty of Abbey Garden or spend lazy long afternoons at Tresco Island Spa, along the harbour front. Choose from a 4-night break or a nightly rate here.

Image: View from Tresco Island

2. Visit a flower farm

Scilly is blessed with a year-round economy….tourism in the summer and flower farming in the winter. The islands have a well-deserved reputation for growing the highest quality scented narcissi. These very beautiful, dainty flowers, which are closely related to daffodils, flourish in tiny fields protected by hardy pittosporum hedges. Walk across St. Mary’s, St. Martins, or St. Agnes  any day in winter and in all weathers you’ll see pickers, often in their sturdy yellow waterproofs, busy in the fields.

Image: Scilly Flowers on St. Martin's

3. Blowy walks

You can’t beat a winter walk anywhere – all wrapped up against the elements, but with coast-to-coast frontiers, the elements open to the great expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, be prepared to get sea-kissed!  With milder climes than the rest of the UK, storms on Scilly is nothing short of refreshing, the light hypnotic and intense and the winter sun hues velvety - nothing quite beats it!

Image: (c) Tresco Island

4. Storm watching

For the same reason that blowy walks are best experienced on Scilly, so too are fantastic Atlantic storms. Get up high - Hell Bay on Bryher, the Garrison or Peninnis Head on St. Mary’s, or Wingletang on St. Agnes - to watch the angry skies and massive waves roll in and smash against the rocks. It’s awesome! If the storms coincide with high tides, then the quays can be topped by waves – spectacular to watch, but only from a safe distance.

5. Wondrous dark skies

With endless big skies and with little or virtually no light pollution makes Scilly top billing for stargazing; indeed, it could simply be the darkest place in the UK! On a clear night you’re in for a wonderful star-struck treat. If you’re on St. Martin’s, the new COSMOS observatory is open until October. Meet up with budding amateur astronomers here or at nearby Sevenstones Inn and savour the wondrous sky. Wherever you are on Scilly, you’ll be treated to a twinkly star-studded sky.

Image: (c) Steve Green, winner of the 2021 Isles of Scilly Annual Photography Competition

6. Artists at work

Just because the nights are drawing in doesn’t mean to say that the artists and creative folks kick back. On the contrary, they use the winter months to get out and enjoy the winter light, to come up with new designs and ideas, and some offer workshops for locals. Whilst some galleries and studios are open year-round, some are not, so make sure you visit them online for how, where and what to buy. Our website is a good start!

Image: Oriel Hicks at work at Phoenix Craft Studios, St. Mary's

7. Retreat to a pub!

It’s true to say that’s there’s not much doing of an evening on a winter’s night in Scilly. Many of the restaurants are closed for the season and there’s no cinema to speak of.  But there's a pub or two which remain a lively part of the Scilly community, with open mic night of folk and other live music - everyone is welcome!

8. Wild winter experiences

This is the perfect time of year to spot grey seals as the females come into pup and they gather together in groups to mate. The youngsters retain their white coats for around three weeks, before moulting into a mottled grey. You can see them bobbing in the water or hauled out on remote beaches. Watching through binoculars is the best way to minimise disturbance, and if you’re worried about an individual (it looks skinny, injured or too young to be alone), you can find out what to do here. 

For family and/or friends, head on a private rockpool safari and explore the marine wildlife we have right on our doorstep. Pop Scilly Rockpool Safaris a message and they'll make it happen - it's the perfect wild birthday experience, too!

Image: Scilly Rockpool Safaris

You could join the growing band of year-round wild sea swimmers enthusiasts. During winter, the peaceful waters and deserted beaches make for a special swimming experience. At its coldest, the water temperature usually falls to 8 °C, and being on an island means that despite the sometimes strong winds, there is always somewhere sheltered to swim. Wild and Scilly Mermaids tend to swim routes of no further than 2 km and always warm up with hot drinks and food which tastes all the sweeter for having braved the cooler seas! To arrange a swim between the end of October and beginning of April, drop them an email - they will try and accommodate you!

Or, take a coastal run and bracing swim in the sea with Adventure Scilly, followed by yoga and a hot chocolate. It will leave you feeling fully immersed in the beauty and nature of the islands - what better way to experience Scilly and rejuvenate at the same time?

9. Make new friends

You can of course come to Scilly in winter and not see another soul – it really is a true escape if that’s what you’d like it to be. But if you’re the sort of person who wants to embrace the islands and ensconce yourself in Scilly life, then you’ll find it an amazingly friendly place. Get involved with the local way of life and you’ll be richly rewarded – with new friends made in no time.

10. A festive break

For something a little more festive, escape the hustle and bustle of the mainland and retreat to Tresco for Christmas or New Year. From a picture-perfect beachfront cottage to the welcoming and newly renovated New Inn: stay from 5 nights to a week or longer! Book here.

Image: Christmas on Tresco

Our top travel tips!

The passenger ferry takes a winter break from early November to mid-March and flights from Exeter are also seasonal. The only way to get to Scilly during the winter months is from Lands' End Airport aboard the Twin Otter with Isles of Scilly Travel or with Penzance Helicopters from Penzance Heliport. Occasionally, high winds or low cloud can hamper flights so why not spend a night or two in Cornwall at either end of your stay and make a longer holiday of it? Check out our selection of Cornwall Stopovers.