September 25th 2024.
St. Martins Beach, Isles of Scilly
When it comes to planning the perfect holiday, many people dream of sparkling turquoise waters and sprawling white-sand beaches. And while the Caribbean may come to mind, there's no need to travel that far when you can find an equally stunning destination just a short trip from Cornwall. Welcome to the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago of 140 isles that rivals any tropical getaway with its pristine beaches and sunny weather.
Dubbed the "Sunshine Islands," the Isles of Scilly are known for their high temperatures and breathtaking beaches, making it a popular destination for tourists. Despite being a part of the United Kingdom, the Isles of Scilly feel like a world of their own, offering a slower and easier way of life. As Lonely Planet puts it, visiting these islands is like looking through a window into a different world.
Accessible by ferry, plane, or helicopter, the Isles of Scilly are perfect for a day trip from the mainland. And with so much beauty to explore, it's no wonder that the tourism website describes them as a "natural wonder, like a cluster of precious ocean jewels, where nature thrives and the soul is inspired." If you're ready to pack your bags and experience this paradise for yourself, here's everything you need to know.
Where are the Isles of Scilly located?
Sitting just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are made up of 140 isles, with only five of them being inhabited. These include St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's, Bryher, and St Agnes, with a collective population of 2,200. The largest of the isles is St Mary's, often referred to as the "gateway to the islands" as it is where most visitors start their journey.
Hugh Town is the main center on St Mary's, offering a variety of shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and pubs for visitors to enjoy. But the beauty of the Isles of Scilly extends beyond St Mary's. Tresco, known as one of the gems of the archipelago, boasts a mix of dramatic rocky outcrops and romantic castle ruins. St Martin's Island, also known as the "Two-Mile Island," is home to some of the finest beaches in the British Isles. And the smallest of the islands, Bryher, offers a peaceful escape with its charming cottages, hills, and rugged cliffs. Lastly, St Agnes, located on the south-westerly edge of Scilly, is separated from the rest of the islands by a deep water channel and offers a bird sanctuary, flower fields, and a lighthouse at its highest point.
How do you travel to the Isles of Scilly?
One of the easiest ways to reach the Isles of Scilly is by taking a train to Penzance in Cornwall first. National Rail offers a service to and from Paddington, with a journey time of approximately five hours and prices starting from £49 one way. From Penzance, visitors can then board a ferry, plane, or helicopter to reach the islands. The Scillonian III Ferry is a short walk from Penzance station, or you can opt for a flight from Penzance Heliport to St Mary's or Tresco.
Isles of Scilly Travel also operates a ferry from Penzance to St Mary's, with a journey time of two hours and 45 minutes and standard tickets priced at £83.90. For those who prefer not to travel to Penzance, there are also flight options from Newquay, Exeter, and Land's End airports, with prices starting from £134 for a standard single Skybus flight.
In comparison, flights to popular Caribbean destinations like Barbados can cost up to £500 when flying with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways from London. So why not explore the Isles of Scilly, with its own unique beauty and charm, for a fraction of the price?
What are the best beaches on the Isles of Scilly?
With over 35 beaches to choose from, visitors to the Isles of Scilly are truly spoiled for choice. One of the top destinations is St Agnes, where Porth Loo Beach offers the perfect spot for rock pooling. St Mary's itself has nearly 10 miles of coastline, with Porthcressa, Town Beach, and Porthmellon being the most accessible. Whether you're looking for a peaceful escape or an adventurous day at the beach, the Isles of Scilly have something to offer for everyone.
So, did you guess where this paradise is located? It's not the Caribbean, Maldives, or Hawaii – it's England! Specifically, the stunning Isles of Scilly, located just off the coast of Cornwall. Don't miss out on this hidden gem and start planning your trip now.
St. Martins Beach, Isles of Scilly
Are you dreaming of a vacation filled with sparkling turquoise waters and sprawling white-sand beaches? Well, you don't have to jet off to the Caribbean for that. Just a short trip from Cornwall, you'll discover an archipelago that will rival any tropical getaway. Welcome to the Isles of Scilly.
Known as the "Sunshine Islands," the Isles of Scilly is a popular destination for its stunning beaches and pleasant weather, considered the best in the UK. Despite being easily accessible by ferry, plane, or helicopter, this cluster of 140 isles remains a hidden gem. Day trips from the mainland allow visitors to experience the island's beauty even on a tight schedule. And according to Lonely Planet, the Isles of Scilly offer a glimpse into a slower, more relaxed way of life.
Described as a "natural wonder," the Isles of Scilly are like a cluster of precious ocean jewels, where nature thrives and the soul is inspired. Are you ready to pack your bags and explore this enchanting destination? Here's everything you need to know.
Where exactly are the Isles of Scilly located? Just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, this archipelago is made up of 140 isles, with only five inhabited: St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's, Bryher, and St Agnes. The total population is only 2,200, making it a peaceful and tranquil place to visit. The largest of the isles, St Mary's, is known as the "gateway to the islands," as most people start their journey there. The main center of St Mary's is Hugh Town, where visitors can find a variety of shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and pubs.
Tresco is another gem of the Isles of Scilly. The island offers "a bit of everything," from dramatic rocky outcrops to romantic castle ruins. St Martins Island, which is two miles long, boasts some of the finest beaches in the British Isles. The smallest of the islands, Bryher, is dotted with charming cottages, hills, and rugged cliffs. Finally, St Agnes, on the southwest edge of Scilly, is separated from the rest of the islands by a deep water channel. Here, visitors can explore a bird sanctuary, flower fields, and a lighthouse at the island's highest point.
Wondering about the best way to travel to the Isles of Scilly? One option is to catch a train to Penzance in Cornwall first. National Rail runs a service to and from Paddington, with prices starting from £49 one way. The journey takes about five hours, and from Penzance, you can board a ferry, plane, or helicopter to the Isles of Scilly. The Scillonian III Ferry is a short walk from Penzance station, or you can fly to St Mary's and Tresco from Penzance Heliport.
Alternatively, Isles of Scilly Travel operates a ferry from Penzance to St. Mary's, which takes two hours and 45 minutes. Standard tickets are priced at £83.90. If you prefer flying, there are also options from Newquay, Exeter, and Land's End airports. A standard single Skybus flight from Land's End to St. Mary's costs £134, Newquay to St. Mary's is £188.85, and Exeter to St. Mary's is the most expensive at £273.15. In comparison, flights to the Caribbean island of Barbados can cost as much as £500 when flying with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways from London.
To fully experience the beauty of the Isles of Scilly, consider island hopping. There are several boat services that offer daily trips, including St Mary's Boatmen's Association and St Agnes Boating.
And of course, let's not forget about the stunning beaches on the Isles of Scilly. With over 35 to choose from, visitors are spoilt for choice. Porth Loo Beach on St. Mary's is perfect for rock pooling, while Porthcressa, Town Beach, and Porthmellon are the most accessible. So, are you ready to explore the wonders of the Isles of Scilly? Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.
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