Days out to impress your friends
A visit to the Isles of Scilly is not your average day trip to anywhere else in Britain. These tiny rocks off the coast of Cornwall are home to some 2,000 people, five of the 140 islands are inhabited and welcome visitors. Your island adventure starts the moment you board a ferry, plane or helicopter, taking anywhere from 15 minutes to just under 3 hours. If getting here doesn't tick the 'impress your friends' box, then maybe these five suggestions will.
Experience a wine-tasting experience in one of the most southernmost settlements of the UK! Take a self-guided tour through the wildflower-filled vineyard on the southern slopes of St. Martin's and learn about the vines, the wine making and what makes this coastal vineyard unique. Enjoy a tasting flight of white, rose and red wines which are all grown and produced on the vineyard. Linger over a glass or two of your favourites or take a bottle home from the cellar door. Their woodland and scenic walks explore the wilder parts of the vineyard with views out to the Daymark and Eastern Isles - picnics welcome!
On their self-guided tours, you can follow the vine-trail around the vineyard to learn about the viticulture and wine-making that happens on the vineyard. Wine tasting includes a flight of St. Martin's Vineyard wines. The self-guided tour and tasting combined costs £10 per person and £1 per child under 16. If you just want to explore the vineyard, or only have time for a tasting flight, these experience cost just £6 per person.
Book here | 01720 423118
.jpg)
If your intention is to stick with one island in one day, and golf is your one true love, then set your sights on this most southwesterly course in the UK which began life in 1904. The only challenge: the distracting island views will do nothing for your performance, but the bragging value is priceless! Situated on St. Mary’s northwest coastline, you’re cornered by stunning scenery and coastal views like no other. Whether you play 9 or 18 holes, depending on your day’s itinerary, the Clubhouse is open all-year-round to non-members for that necessary refreshment fix after your hard-earned performance.
Book here | 01720 422692
Catching the first flight of the day, collect a picnic lunch from Hugh Street Café or Tanglewood Kitchen, and board a privately hired RIB from St. Mary’s Quay around 9am to take you on a personalised tour of all the 5 inhabited islands, stopping off for swims, picnics and wildlife spotting.
If you want to island-hop and spend a bit of time on each island with family and friends, the Water Taxi run by Raptor Boating is the most cost effective option:
To privately charter your own Wildlife & Scenic tour with Raptor Boating with a group, a dedicated trip can be tailored to suit your needs at £190 per hour for up to 5 passengers and there after £35pp, 6+ passengers.
Book here | 07729 127877
To join others for a 50 minute blast down to one of the main seal colonies, experience a thrill-seeking ride with Endeavour Rib to view and enjoy Atlantic grey seals, perfect for those eager to see these fantastic creatures in their natural environment and ideal for families with little ones.
Adults £30pp | Under 12’s £24pp
Book here | 07471 932964
Make the most of your day on St. Mary's by taking the first flight of the day, pick up a cart from Scilly Cart Co at Porthmellon – seating fro 2,4,6 or 8 people - and head on a circuit of St. Mary’s, stopping off for dips at secluded beaches, spy breath-taking views and experience off-the-beaten track walks, finishing with a late lunch at Juliet’s. The perfect activity if you're with a group of family or friends.
Book here | 01720 422121
Fly aboard Skybus direct to St. Mary’s from Lands’ End.
Daytrip return 12+ from £127 and children from £44.50
Contact: www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk | 01736 334220
Fly to either St Mary’s or Tresco with Penzance Helicopters for a truly unique and memorable journey. Your 15-minute flight takes you to either St Mary’s or Tresco – and you can even fly into one island and back from another for a real island-hopping day out.
There are two options:
Contact: www.penzancehelicopters.co.uk/daytrips | 01736 780828
Board Scillonian III passenger ferry at Penzance Harbour for a 2hr 45min journey to St. Mary’s (available April – November)
Adult daytrip return is from £35 per person and children from £10 per person
Contact: www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk | 01736 334220
Isles of Scilly Travel give you the flexibility of making the most of your day on the islands with their fly and sail in a day return option. Fly from Lands' End Airport to St. Mary's with Skybus and return late afternoon aboard the Scillonian III, St. Mary's to Penzance.
Standard Daytrip adult return from £89.75 and children from £58.25
Contact: www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk | 01736 334220
Supported by
© Islands' Partnership
