I love exploring every corner of the UK, and there’s one destination that’s been at the top of my bucket list for years. The Isles of Scilly are a group of islands off the coast of Cornwall, and last year I finally went for the first time! While I sadly only visited for a day, I know this is a destination I’ll be coming back to in order to explore properly. If you’re in Cornwall and looking for adventure, here’s your guide on a day trip to the Isles of Scilly!

Where are the Isles of Scilly?

The Isles of Scilly are 28 miles off the coast of southwest England in Cornwall. There are five main inhabited islands, and over 140 other small, uninhabited islands.

The inhabited islands are St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, Bryher, and St. Agnes. St. Mary’s is the largest of the Scilly Isles.

How to Get to the Isles of Scilly

There are two ways to reach the Isles of Scilly: ferry or flight. The main harbor and airport are on St. Mary’s island, with ferries connecting the rest of the main Scilly islands. Whether you travel by plane or ferry will likely depend on your budget and how much time you have. The ferry, Scillonian III, leaves from Penzance and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes each way, running between March and November. It cost me just £35 for a return day ticket on the ferry! I was really surprised at how affordable it was.

If I’d had more money, I definitely would have flown, at least for one of the legs. It’s just a 20-minute flight from Land’s End Airport (or 30 minutes from Newquay Airport). Flights cost roughly £70-75 one-way, so expect to pay £140-150 for round-trip flights. Another option is to mix transport options and fly and sail, or sail and fly. This is significantly cheaper than flying both ways, and you’d get a lot more time on the island. A mixed transport day trip will be about £85-95.

What to See on St. Mary’s

If you’re taking the ferry from/to Penzance, you’ll really only have about 4 hours to explore the Isles of Scilly. Unfortunately, this means you don’t really have time to explore any of the other islands besides St. Mary’s. I would have absolutely loved to have visited Tresco in particular! And you likely won’t have enough time to do a circuit hike of the island (which is about 10 miles). You could hire a bike and ride around the island – St. Mary’s Bike Hire have rentals that start at £11.50 for up to 4 hours. I managed to do a 6-mile walk around some of the main attractions. Here are the best things to see on St. Mary’s!

Garrison Walls

The Garrison Walls were built in the 1590s, and were built as a defense system around the vulnerable island. Walk along the stone walls and see the historic cannons as you enjoy great views of the sea. It’s easy to understand why the defenses were necessary.

Viewpoint from Upper Benham Battery

There’s a pin on GoogleMaps for Upper Benham Battery, and there is a fantastic viewpoint over the beach and Hugh Town from close by here. I sadly visited on a cloudy day, but I can only imagine just how stunning the coastline would be here if the sky was reflecting the bright blue, Caribbean-like water!

Porthcressa Beach

This is the most popular beach for swimming and sunbathing on St. Mary’s. It’s on the other side of the bay from the harbor, and the water is so clear here! I loved going for a dip, even though it was an overcast day.

Isles of Scilly Museum

The Town Hall and Cultural Center on St. Mary’s is set to be the permanent home of the Isles of Scilly Museum, following the closure of the Museum on Church Street in 2019. Check their website to stay up-to-date and visit the new space to learn about the history of the Scilly Isles!

Hugh Town

Hugh Town is the main village on St. Mary’s – it’s where the harbor is located, and where most of the shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and businesses are. Dibble and Grub (located on Porthcressa Beach), Kavorna Cafe, Hugh Street Cafe, and the Atlantic Inn are some of the popular places to eat and drink.

Porthmellon Beach

Just past the harbor, you’ll find Porthmellon Beach. This spot is great for swimming, water sports like windsurfing, and sailing – and at low tide, it’s a good spot for rockpooling. It’s only a short walk from Hugh Town.

Juliet’s Garden Restaurant

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the superb view from the terrace of Juliet’s Garden Restaurant. This restaurant serves light lunches, salads, sandwiches, and homemade cakes – it’s well worth the walk from Hugh Town, especially in nice weather when you get a spot on the terrace. Check their website for current opening hours, as during peak season they are open in the evenings as well.

Bant’s Carn Burial Chamber and Halangy Down Ancient Village

The Isles of Scilly are full of ancient history – and the best place to see that on a short day trip on St. Mary’s is the burial chamber and village ruins north of Hugh Town. The burial chamber dates back to the Bronze Age, while the village was built in the Iron Age. You can crawl inside the tomb, and wander around the settlement ruins. It’s a fascinating site, and well worth the walk!

Planning Your Trip to the Isles of Scilly

A visit to the Isles of Scilly requires more planning than a normal trip on the UK mainland. Whether you visit for a day trip from Penzance, or you come for a longer stay, you’ll need to arrange your transport from Cornwall. If you’re traveling onto other islands, check ferry timetables in advance. If you’re traveling to Cornwall, Newquay Airport is probably your best bet for flights. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. If you’re looking for tours on the Isles of Scilly, check out the options below!

Isles of Scilly: Where to Stay

There is a huge range of accommodation options around the Isles of Scilly – hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering cottages are all available. Here are a few options for where to stay on St. Mary’s, to suit every price range!

Budget: Longstone Lodge – hostel accommodation, including a communal kitchen, a short walk from Hugh Town (note there are no shared rooms here, only single/double/twin/family)

Mid-range: Tregarthen’s Hotel – a nautical-theme hotel, with an excellent location and easy access to the harbor (plus holiday cottages)

Mid-range: The Wheelhouse – a family-run B&B close to Porthcressa Beach, with bright rooms and a delicious breakfast

Luxury: The Star Castle – this property was built in the 16th century and boasts an indoor heated pool plus great views over the Garrison Walls

Where to Stay in Penzance

If you’re visiting the Isles of Scilly on a day trip (which, if you’re still reading, is likely!), you’ll probably want to stay in Penzance the night before or the night after your day trip. I stayed at a convenient layby a short drive away (lol) on this trip, but here are some options for accommodation in Penzance!

Budget: YHA Penzance – a clean and comfortable hostel, a short 15-minute walk from the sea – I stayed here on my trip back in 2014!

Mid-range: The Dolphin Tavern – a 16th-century property with three cozy rooms and tasty food

Luxury: Hotel Penzance – a four-star hotel with boutique rooms, some of which offer incredible sea views

I was so thrilled to finally visit the Isles of Scilly last summer. Although, I definitely wish I’d have had more time to explore more! It’s definitely possible to visit just for a day, focusing on the main sights around St. Mary’s. I hope this post helps planning your day trip to the Isles of Scilly!

Have you been to the Isles of Scilly before? What was your trip like?

You might also like my posts:

39 Unbelievable Places You Must Visit in Cornwall

Orkney: What You Need to Know Before You Go

What to See on the Isle of Mull and Iona in Scotland

The Isle of Arran: A Guide for Visiting Scotland in Miniature

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