Although just a short ferry ride off the coast of Cornwall, the beautiful, unspoilt Isles of Scilly feel like another world - with only 2,000 people living on the five inhabited islands. Thanks to the islands' unique geography, there's a wonderful array of flora and fauna. More than 400 varieties of seabirds, waders and migrants can be spotted throughout the year. Spring is when birds in song display brightly coloured breeding plumage, while April also sees the arrival of breeding puffins. The coastlines will be awash with alliums, wild primroses and sea thrift, and there'll also be the chance to spot rare plants such as orange bird's foot and dwarf pansy.
Once again on this exclusive w&h escorted tour, you'll be staying at the St Mary's Hall Hotel on St Mary's, visit the islands of Tresco, Bryher and St Martin's, and take a boat trip to the uninhabited Eastern Isles to see the Atlantic grey seals. Your special guest throughout the trip will be Will Wagstaff, the Scillies' leading authority on birds, flowers and butterflies, who, as well as guiding tours of the islands for 30 years, has been the local expert for the BBC's Wild Britain, Three Men in a Boat and This Morning. Through a series of fascinating guided walks and an evening talk with a Q&A, Will will bring every aspect of these special islands alive. So don't miss this unique chance to experience the magic of the Scillies in spring.
I always enjoy walking around the islands in late April as it is a great time to be on Scilly with birds singing, flowers in full bloom and the first butterflies on the wing plus there is always the chance of something a little more unusual.
Will Wagstaff
You'll arrive on beautiful St Mary's, the largest of the isles, and transfer to your home for the next five nights, the stylish but relaxed St Mary's Hall Hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore nearby Hugh Town or simply to relax and enjoy the hotel's terraced garden. In the evening, you'll take a gentle 15-minute stroll along the coast to enjoy a welcome dinner at the famous Juliet's Garden restaurant.
After breakfast, you'll take the ferry across to the privately owned island of Tresco, where you'll have the first of our guided walks with special guest Will Wagstaff.
EXCLUSIVE W&H EXPERIENCE: With Will as your
expert guide, you'll explore the inland pools before crossing the
island via farm tracks, keeping an eye out for the islands'
distinctive wildlife. Lunch is at your leisure before, this
afternoon, you enjoy a guided visit to the Abbey Gardens, home to
more than 80 species of plants and flowers, many of which are
seldom seen on the mainland. The windbreaks and walls built around
the ruins of the priory make the Gardens a unique habitat;
sometimes referred to as "Kew without the glass". You'll then take
the ferry back to St Mary's for dinner at your hotel. Tonight you
will enjoy an early dinner at the hotel before Will gives a
special
talk and Q&A in which he tells the story of the natural history
of the Scillies and their distinctive flora and fascinating
fauna.
After breakfast, you'll embark on a two-hour Seabird Special boat trip on the lookout for sea and shore birds, including puffins. Then you'll return to St Mary's and enjoy a guided walk from Town Beach to the Lower Moors before taking the coastal path back to Hugh Town, before dining at St Mary's Hall Hotel.
Today you will explore the island of Bryher, which is half a square mile in size and one of the Scillies' wilder islands. You'll experience contrasting landscapes with crashing Atlantic waves and granite stacks on one side, and calm glassy blue bays on the other.
EXCLUSIVE W&H EXPERIENCE: You'll enjoy a fully guided walk with Will Wagstaff along the scenic coastal paths followed by a three-course dinner in the delightful Conservatory Restaurant at the iconic Star Castle Hotel. Prior to dinner you will take a look at the small Castle museum, the old jail cell and take a walk along the ramparts with stunning views across to Bryher and Tresco.
You'll set off on a one-and-a-half-hour cruise around the uninhabited Eastern Isles, where it's possible to see colonies of Atlantic grey seals. You'll land on St Martin's to explore the archipelago's northernmost island, famous for its fine sandy beaches, then return to St Mary's for dinner at St. Mary's Hall Hotel.
After a leisurely breakfast you'll have some free time before you're transferred back to the quay in time for the return ferry to Penzance on the mainland.
St Mary's Hall Hotel sits on the edge of Hugh Town on the island of St Mary's. Surrounded by Mediterranean gardens, the hotel is just two minutes from Porthcressa beach and occupies an elegantly refurbished townhouse. With 26 stylish bedrooms and a popular restaurant, St Mary's Hall Hotel is an excellent choice for a break in the Scillies.
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