Our Scilly Isles holidays guide featuring how to get to the Isles of Scilly, our review of the Scilly Isles ferry, best family hotels, unmissable days out plus top tips for island hopping!

I’m always a little sceptical by the gushing marketing spiel on tourist boards websites.  They exist to persuade people to visit their region so they’re bound to exaggerate the beauty of a place aren’t they?  After spending five incredible days in the Scillies however I genuinely and wholeheartedly agree with the opening statement on the Isles of Scilly website – “Outstandingly beautiful, uncrowded and unspoilt… From the minute you arrive, you’ll fall in love with the islands and you’ll leave yearning to return”.

If you’ve read my first and lasting impressions of the Isles of Scilly you’ll know that my family and I certainly did fall head over heels in love with the islands and we’ve seriously considered moving there because they are truly beautiful, uncrowded and unspoilt.  So what can you expect from a family holiday in this remote and charming part of England?  This family holiday guide covers Isles of Scilly travel (the different ways to get there and the island hopping opportunities whilst there), the range of family friendly accommodation available and of course the best days out in the Isles of Scilly for families.

 

Where are the Isles of Scilly?

Let’s start with the basics!  When I shared some photos on social media whilst in the Scillies I had lots of people commenting that they had idea where they were.  Many admitting that they went on Goggle maps to find out.  You may be surprised to hear that the Isles of Scilly are located just 28 miles from the coast of Cornwall, it honestly feels like you are on the other side of the world though in a subtropical paradise.

Confusingly the Isles of Scilly are also referred to as the Scilly Isles and the Scillies, although the locals apparently prefer to call them the Isles of Scilly.

An area of outstanding natural beauty

The entire Isles of Scilly have been very deservedly recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which just 2,200 people are fortunate to call home. (Believe me I would be increasing it to 2,204 if hubby and I could get jobs out there!)

The Scillies are made up of 140 uninhabited and 5 inhabited islands – St Mary’s the largest at just 2 1/2 square miles with a population of 1,800 (the islanders affectionately refer to her as the ‘Big City’), Tresco the second largest and only one privately owned, St Martin’s the first island you spot on the ferry ride from the mainland, rugged Bryher with just 80 locals and secluded St Agnes which is only a mile wide.