White sands, turquoise waters, tropical plants and beach BBQs. You don’t need to whisk your family to the other side of the world to enjoy an authentic island experience. In fact, the Isles of Scilly have the postcard-perfect scenery, the relaxing island lifestyle and so much more…
If you’re craving an island escape, but don’t fancy spending a day in the air with the kids, the Isles of Scilly could be the perfect Easter holiday destination. Sitting just off the coast of Cornwall, the islands are perfectly placed for families wanting to make the most of their precious time together.
Travel local and make the most of every moment…
Whether it’s island hopping on the Firethorn, following sandy paths down to deserted beaches, hiring bikes and weaving down country lanes, or finding the perfect spot to watch the sunset; Scilly offers plenty of opportunities to create wonderful family memories together.
In addition to exploring the spectacular coastal scenery, there are whole host of unique activities that will give you a better feel for the islands’ coastal culture. You could paddle around the bays in a glass-bottomed kayak, walk between two islands during the extraordinary low spring tides, visit a flower farm filled with yellow narcissi, or book a boat tour and seek out puffins on the uninhabited islands.
With flower-filled subtropical gardens to explore, artist workshops to get messy in and whole host of harbour-side restaurants offering locally-sourced treats – your family will soon find themselves slipping into the idyllic rhythm of island life. They might not ever want to leave!
The journey is part of the experience…
Your island adventure begins by air or sea and we go to great lengths to make sure that the journey (though short!) feels part of the island experience.
Sailing from Penzance Harbour on the Scillonian III is a wonderful introduction to your coastal holiday. The kids can stretch their legs on the deck and you can enjoy sprawling seascapes, views of the Minack Theatre and St Michael’s Mount. It’s well worth keeping a close eye on the waves, as the ferry is occasionally joined by a pod of dolphins – what an introduction to island life! Of course, the real thrill of the journey is spotting the green tufts of Scilly on the horizon and choosing your must-visit beaches with the kids before you arrive.
Flying by Skybus is the fastest way to reach the islands, with daily departures from Exeter, Newquay and Land’s End taking an hour or less. You’ll feel like an island explorer from the off, flying to Scilly in an eight or nineteen seat aircraft. You’ll gaze out over golden sands as you soar above the Cornish mainland and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the islands as you arrive into St Mary’s.
If you’ve been dreaming about living the island life with your family, make sure Scilly’s at the top of your ‘book-it’ list.
www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk