Situated a mere 28 miles off the rocky coast of Cornwall’s Land’s End is the UK’s largest archipelago.
Rich with natural, untouched beauty, the Isles Of Scilly comprises more than 140 islands, yet only five of those are inhabited, with a total of about 2,200 residents.
Travel to Scilly and you’d be forgiven for believing you’ve escaped onto a Mediterranean island, with pretty scenery as far as the eye can see and a quieter, more relaxed way of life.
Here are six reasons why you should visit Scilly’s picturesque isles.
1. It’s a haven for wildlife and vegetation
The Isles of Scilly are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with a large part of the island maintained by local charity the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
The pleasant landscape and surrounding water is a sanctuary for birds, marine life, flora and fauna.
If you’re lucky, you stand a chance of spotting puffins and Atlantic grey seals too.
2. The climate is mild
Scilly is well known for its temperate weather and is considered to have the warmest climate in the UK.
It’s nicknamed the ‘sunshine isles’ and has very little air pollution – the perfect antidote to city living.
3. It’s bliss for ramblers
The best way to explore Scilly is by foot.
Don your walking boots and navigate by map, or take a guided tour around one of the islands.
There are even speciality trips centered around different aspects of the islands such as the wildlife, maritime history and archeology.
4. The annual events and festivals
Time your visit right and it’ll coincide with one of the many events and celebrations that take place across the year on the islands.
In May there’s the annual Scilly Folk Festival, while the whole of September is dedicated to the Taste Of Scilly food festival.
For those who like to be active, the isles also host walking and swimming events in spring and autumn.
5. The islands’ history
The Isles Of Scilly might be small but they have some fascinating ancient archeological and maritime history.
Tours of the island will unearth shipwrecks, burial grounds, Bronze Age monuments and the remains of settlements.
Further heritage and history can be found at The Isles Of Scilly Museum, on Scilly’s largest island, St Mary’s.
6. There’s plenty to see and do
You definitely won’t be stuck for things to see or places to visit in Scilly.
From water sports and wine tasting to galleries and world-renowned gardens, there’s an activity and attraction for everyone.
Whether you’re island hopping or soaking up the genteel atmosphere on one of the many gorgeous beaches, you’re likely to fall in love with this tranquil archipelago.
How to get there
Flying is the fastest way to travel to and from the Isles Of Scilly.
The Skybus flight service, where you travel in an eight- or 19-seater plane, runs year-round from both Land’s End (15 minutes travel time, adult fare from £80) and Newquay (30 minutes, adult fare from £102.50).
Flights from Exeter run between March and November (60 minutes, adult fare from £152.50).
Alternatively, take the seasonal Scillonian passenger ferry from Penzance to St Mary’s Harbour, which takes about two hours, 45 minutes. A standard single fare is £49.50. Be prepared for a bumpy crossing though when the seas are rough; seasickness is not uncommon on the boat.
If you really want to splash out, a new helicopter service is launching in May 2018, with return fares starting from £215. This though has fuelled a row on the island between proposed rival services.
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