A weekend in Isles of Scilly

Subtropical gardens and empty white beaches 28 miles off Cornwall

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

The Isles of Scilly are a group of small islands about 28 miles off the tip of Cornwall, with a mild climate, white sand beaches, turquoise water and subtropical gardens. Five of the islands are inhabited, and there are no big resorts.

Visitors come to walk the coast, watch birds and seals, explore ancient sites and enjoy a slow pace of life, with no cars on most of the islands.

Best forBeach days, Walkers, Wildlife lovers, Couples

Best time to goApril to October. Spring brings bulbs and puffins, and September is quiet, warm and good for walking.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting therePenzance: A ferry takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to St Mary's, or a flight from Land's End takes about 20 minutes.

Check prices for a weekend in Isles of Scilly

Plan your weekend in Isles of Scilly

Top attractions in Isles of Scilly

Tresco Abbey Garden

A subtropical garden of exotic plants from around the world, set among the ruins of an abbey.

Bryher and Hell Bay

A wild, rocky island with dramatic Atlantic scenery.

St Martin's beaches

Long white sandy beaches that feel like the Caribbean.

Hugh Town

The main town on St Mary's, with shops, cafes and a harbour.

Boat trips

Trips between islands, to see seals, seabirds and puffins.

Best things to do in Isles of Scilly

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Camel Trail cycling

The Camel Trail is a flat, traffic-free path along a former railway line beside the Camel Estuary, running from Padstow to Wadebridge and on towards Bodmin. Allow 2 to 4 hours.

Tintagel Castle visit

Tintagel Castle is a ruined fortress on a dramatic Cornish headland, linked by legend with King Arthur. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.

Seafood in Padstow

Padstow is one of Cornwall's best-known food towns, centred on a working fishing harbour. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.

More things to do near Isles of Scilly

Isles of Scilly boat trips Hugh Town, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Best areas to stay in Isles of Scilly

St Mary's

The largest island, with the most places to stay and eat.

Tresco

A private island with upmarket stays and gardens.

St Martin's or Bryher

Smaller islands with a quiet, remote feel.

Best hotels in Isles of Scilly

Prices for a double room in Isles of Scilly typically fall around £130–£220 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Isles of Scilly

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Isles of Scilly

April to October. Spring brings bulbs and puffins, and September is quiet, warm and good for walking.

Seasons that suit Isles of Scilly well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Isles of Scilly

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Isles of Scilly

From Penzance: A ferry takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to St Mary's, or a flight from Land's End takes about 20 minutes.
From Exeter: Flights to St Mary's take about 1 hour.
From London: About 5 hours by train to Penzance, then the ferry or a flight.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Isles of Scilly

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in St Mary's.
Saturday: Start with Tresco Abbey Garden, then Bryher and Hell Bay. In the afternoon, head to St Martin's beaches.
Sunday: Visit Hugh Town or Boat trips, then head home.

Packing list for Isles of Scilly

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Beach and coast gear Walking gear Wet-weather gear

Good to know

Weather can cancel ferries and flights, so allow slack in your plans.
It is a long way, so plan at least three nights.
Book accommodation and travel well ahead in summer.

Isles of Scilly weekend FAQs

Is Scilly good for a weekend?

It is better with three or more nights because of the journey, though a flight makes a short break possible.

Do I need a car?

No. Most islands are small, and you can walk or use boats and a minibus on St Mary's.

More weekend ideas

St IvesCornwall

Golden beaches, art galleries and a pretty Cornish harbour

PadstowCornwall

A Cornish fishing harbour famous for seafood and the Camel Trail

MouseholeCornwall

A tiny harbour village famous for its Christmas lights

NewquayCornwall

Cornwall's surf capital, with long golden beaches

Explore more: Best weekend breaks from London · Best coastal weekend breaks in the UK · Best dog-friendly weekend breaks in the UK · Best romantic weekend breaks in the UK

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.