Wanderlust UK – September 2019

106 wanderlust.co.uk September 2019

Footnotes

Isles of Scilly

Map Illustration Scott Jessop; Rob Lea; Phil Nicholls; Dreamstime; Visit Isles of Scilly

THETRIP

Theauthortravelledcourtesy

oftheIslands’Partnership,

theorganisationresponsible

forpromotingtheIslesof

ScillyandtheVisitIslesof

Scillybrand(visitislesofscilly.

com),withtravelprovided

byIslesofScillyTravel

(islesofscilly-travel.co.uk)

andaccommodation

providedbyLongstone

LodgeandHellBayHotel.

When to go
May to September: The islands
have a very mild climate. However,
in winter there can be storms and
businesses may shut. Spring arrives
early and is the best time to visit.
October is good for birdwatching.
To sample the region’s best food
and drink visit in September for the
Taste of Scilly festival.
Walkers should aim for The Walk
Scilly Autumn Weekend from 10‚14
October 2019 or Walk Scilly 2020
from 1‚10 April 2020 (visitislesofscilly.
com). Or, cross the channel between
Tresco and Bryher at The Low Tide
Event on 1 September.

Getting there
The Isles of Scilly are situated 45km
o‡ the coast of Cornwall. Isles of
Scilly Travel provide options by
sea or air (Islesofscilly-travel.co.uk).
Fly to St Mary’s with Skybus from
Newquay (30 minutes), Land’s
End (20 minutes) or Exeter (60
minutes). The planes are either 8- or
19-seaters (from £90.50 one-way).
Shuttle service transfers cost £4.50.

Or take the Scillonian ferry from

Penzance to St Mary’s. The journey

takes two hours 45 minutes and

costs £55 each way. Dolphins and

sea birds are regularly seen enroute.

Allow for possible disruption to

travel plans due to adverse weather.

Getting around

Boat services run between all

the islands, with timings posted

on noticeboards and in hotels. Boat

taxis and charters can be arranged

too, and do take a sea safari.

St Mary’s has taxis and a bus,

and golf buggies and bicycles can

be hired. Bikes can also be hired

on Tresco. However, on foot is the

most common way to explore.

Accommodation

Longstone Lodge, St Mary’s

(longstonecafe.co.uk) o‡ers

great value hostel accommodation

’Tis a Scilly place

(clockwise from top)

Gigs and boathouses at

Porth Mellon on St

Mary’s; a silvermsith on

St Martin’s; a narcissi (not

a daodil); the view from

the terrace at the Ruin

Beach Cafe in Tresco