Scilly in pictures: 39 reasons to visit the Isles of Scilly
There are so many reasons to visit the Isles of Scilly – but two of the biggest are hard to sum up in words. Firstly, the atmosphere. It’s so relaxed, welcoming, a really magical place which seems to operate slightly outside the everyday world. I had to keep reminding myself it’s part of the UK.
press trip*
Secondly, it’s beautiful. So beautiful. The beaches are the kind of pale white sand you see in the Caribbean, or golden stretches that seem to glow in the sun. The sea is palest clear turquoise, deep indigo blue and every shade in between.
I could pull out every adjective in my arsenal, every superlative I know. But really, you need to see. So here’s a taste of why Scilly is so stunning. I defy you not to look and want to book…
As well as my reasons to visit the Isles of Scilly, I’ve got 16 things to do in the Isles of Scilly with kids too if you need more persuasion.
St Mary’s
This is the biggest island – and where your trip is likely to start. Population 1,800 and slightly under 2.5 miles across, with the airport, main ferry port and biggest towns, there are also clifftop paths, plenty of beaches, nature trails and quiet roads.
Beach hop around the island or follow the cliff walk: tucked away are ancient sites and vineyards, wildflowers and wide open spaces, nature reserves and tea rooms – even the signs, vintage or driftwood style, are never dull.
St Agnes
Unspoiled St Agnes, meanwhile, is only about a mile across, joined to its neighbour Gugh by a sandbar at low tide. This one is the most south-westerly and one of the smallest of the five inhabited islands with only 85 inhabitants.
Once you could find small ceramic beads from a wrecked cargo ship, now remembered in the name Beady Pool. These days, there are rocks to clamber over and seaglass among the seashells, with fields of flowers and farms inland.
A lighthouse stands tall at the highest point: the Turk’s Head Pub is the most south-westerly in Britain.
Tresco
Tresco is the glamorous one – home to the subtropical Abbey Gardens as well, it looks over to Bryher. Lush and sprawling, the gardens are one of the islands’ few official ‘attractions’ (although with so many natural attractions, it’s hardly an issue).
With more than 20,000 exotic plants from around the world, statues and stone structures looking as much part of the gardens as the flowers which bloom year-round.
The collection of figureheads from wrecked ships is a reminder of the rugged coast and the islands’ dramatic past – today, its deli, art gallery and five-star places to stay prove how many of us would love to be cast away here.
Bryher
Bryher itself vies for the title of smallest isle, home to around 80 people and the memorably named Hell Bay.
The drama of the wild, windswept crashing Atlantic views reveal why – but on the other side, its sheltered coves have sea so clear, it’s the palest turquoise. Soak both in from the lookouts, with some cake from the island shop.
St Martin’s
Last but never least, peaceful St Martin’s has some of the most spectacular bays I’ve ever seen – curving arcs which could have been transported from Antigua, sand gleaming in the sun, palm trees towering above splashes of bright flowers.
Don’t miss a drink with a view at the Seven Stones pub, do wander the quiet streets between the Higher Town and Lower Town, but save time for the sand. Days could turn into weeks on the beaches – or so I wish,
Take a boat tour
Venture out to sea – no trip is complete without at least one boat tour, discovering uninhabited isles, some with their own history, others barely more than bare rock emerging from the spray.
The blue goes on forever, sea merging with sky, while birds soar above and seals bask indolently.
Where to stay
Tregarthen’s hotel, where we stayed, had some wonderful dishes on its ever-changing menu, but from pub to small cafes, these small islands put bigger towns to shame.
Then there’s great food – from homebaked treats and sweets to fabulous seafood, fish and the freshest ingredients.
How to get there
Even the journey is an experience, especially if you arrive in the tiny planes which fly out from Devon and Cornwall.
There’s a ferry from the Cornish mainland too, but however you reach the islands (and then very begrudgingly leaving again) it’s part of the adventure.
Check out my complete guide to the Isles of Scilly with kids here for more tips on visiting
*First published 2015, last updated 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: 39 REASONS TO VISIT THE ISLES OF SCILLY
Disclosure: My trip was courtesy of Tregarthen’s Hotel and Isles of Scilly travel. All opinions, superlatives and ability to take a million photos are my own.
All images copyright MummyTravels/Cathy Winston
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Looks amazing Cathy! Lovely pictures and lucky you with the weather! Have been wanting to do Scilly for a long time:)
Same here – it’s somewhere I’d wanted to visit for ages, and just so beautiful. I have edited out a few rainy photos! Do go if you can.
Wow I would never have thought to go to Scilly but it looks wonderful. You can never take too many photos 🙂 x
It’s somewhere I always fancied going but was even lovelier than I’d hoped – definitely a good one if you love taking photos like me! 🙂
Wow, the isles of Scilly look stunning. My brother went there a few months ago and said it was breath taking. I have never thought about visiting myself but it looks like a place to add to the list. Great pictures my the way 🙂
Thank you! I totally agree with your brother, it’s so lovely and so many people know so little about it (including me before last month!)
wow how beautiful! If you would have shown me these pictures and not told me where it was I would never have guessed this was in the UK! Stunning pictures.
Thanks Jess – and I know what you mean, some of them really could be the Caribbean or Mediterranean!
I have not been there but looks really relaxing. What is the cost of drinks and there?
It really is, you can’t help but slow down. I can’t remember exactly what drinks came to, certainly cheaper than London prices! I think a glass of wine was about £5 in our hotel, and probably the same in the pub we went to one lunchtime.
wow, amazing photos, I have never thought of visiting Scilly before but it looks amazing and very peaceful.
Thanks – it is absolutely lovely, very peaceful.
I love the Scilly Isles, I haven’t been since I was about 13, we used to go every year for a day trip whilst holidaying in Cornwall. Desperately want to go again, it is like you say, so so beautiful xxx
I think once you’ve been, you’ll always want to go back. So lovely.
Oh wow, Scilly is stunning! I’ve always wanted to visit Italy but hadn’t thought of Scilly! Love the look of Tresco! You took gorgeous photos, wish I could go right now x
Thanks – and it is gorgeous, isn’t it. Hard to believe it’s not actually part of Italy – Scilly in Cornwall, not Sicily 😉
The pictures are enough to convince me that I should book either this year or next year for a good visit. Thanks for sharing I am in love already
Thanks! Glad to share the love – it’s such a wonderful place.
I can see why you posted so many pictures. It would be very difficult to pick just a few. Hubby and I hope to make a visit to all of the islands around the UK, maybe on one big trip. It’s still a few years down the road, but definitely a priority. Thanks for sharing your pics.
Absolutely – everywhere I looked was another gorgeous shot. I love the idea of visiting all the islands too, something I haven’t done myself.
Ahhh, thanks for the memories…looking out the window at a very autumnal scene I am daydreaming about being back in Scilly again. We are already plotting our return. Lovely photos.
I think once you’ve been, you’ll always want to go back – has been so much fun reliving it through the photos too. Thanks!
Amazing! If I had not read the post I would think this is somewhere else. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I really did have to pinch myself sometimes that I was in the UK…
I never knew there were islands like this in the UK, amazing!!
I’m certainly curious to see it with my own eyes.The sea lions…soooo cute!
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It’s a bit of a secret even when you live here, I think!
I have some old friends who go to the Isles of Scilly ever year – I think they have a house there or family maybe. I’ve always thought it looked a beautiful place but, I must say, your photos here are glorious – they could be in Coast magazine!
Thanks Trish! I am very jealous of your friends 🙂
It looks just gorgeous, I would love it there, the scenery, wildlife. flowers it looks incredible and such fab photos Cathy x
Thank you! It really is a beautiful place – so relaxed and the scenery is incredible.