Discover Isles of Scilly

Beach at Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tresco.jpg
Author: Roantrum


The Isles of Scilly is a small archipelago off the southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula. The archipelago comprises five inhabited islands and numerous smaller rocky islets and jugged outcrops.

Covering a total land area of 16.03 sq km (6.189 sq mi), the Isles of Scilly is part of the ceremonial county of Cornwall. It is 45 km (28 mi) away from Land's End. The total population of the Isles of Scilly is just 2,100 (2008 estimate).

Beach at Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tresco_-_aerial_photo6_edit.jpg
Author: Tom Corser


The Isles of Scilly experiences a temperate Oceanic climate. The average annual temperature here is 11.6°C (53°F). Although their summers are not as warm as on mainland England, they are one of the sunniest places in the country. The warmest months are July and August, when temperature may reach 19°C (66°F) while January and February are the coldest months, with temperatures of 6°C (43°F). November, December and January are the wettest months, especially November, when total precipitation may reach 96 mm (3.78 in).

St Martin's Bay, seen from Scilly Point
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Martin%27s_bay_from_Scilly_point_-_geograph.org.uk_-_215314.jpg
Author: Richard Knights

Visiting the Isles of Scilly

There is a ferry service, the MV Scillonian III, which plies the route between Penzance in Cornwall mainland with Hugh Town on St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. It leaves Penzance in the early morning and returns in the late afternoon. A return day-trip costs £25.

Alternatively, you can take the scheduled helicopter service between Penzance and St Mary's. There are ten flights per day costing about £170 for a return ticket.