The Isles of Scilly are the UK’s last outpost before America, a sunny archipelago off the coast of Cornwall that’s a refuge for all sorts of wildlife and plant-life, as well as for travellers looking for an unusual island escape. The Scillies are a varied group, with rocky ones and sandy ones, inhabited and uninhabited, bustling and arty or more traditional. There’s plenty to offer walkers and sailors, as well as anyone looking for a beautiful patch of white sand to relax on. We recommend seeing as many as you can — it’s relatively easy to boat hop between them — but this is a relatively small destination, and there aren’t a huge range of hotels to choose from, so when you decide on one of the best places to stay on the Isles of Scilly for you, you may want to stay put. Our picks include a wonderfully converted castle, and seaside options directly overlooking the beach and the sea.
Whether you’re a beach lover or not, the sea plays a big part in any visit to the Scilly Isles: this is where you’ll see seals, dolphins and basking sharks, plus puffins and other rare sea birds, and it’s probably the backdrop to a lot of the fun activities you have planned. The islands’ varied landscapes offer sub-tropical plant species an opportunity to thrive, and the bright colours of the flora may leave you wondering how you could be in the UK!
When it comes to working out which island to stay on, bear in mind that Tresco and Bryher are privately owned, and there’s very little accommodation available on St. Martins. St. Mary’s is the largest island, with the largest town and harbour, St. Hugh’s, so this is where you’ll find the majority of the best places to stay on the Isles of Scilly.