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See the majestic landscapes, unspoilt beauty and unique native species of the Scilly Isles

The Isles of Scilly are a haven of tranquility, famous for its stunning scenery, lush gardens, gorgeous sandy beaches and unique native wildlife.

On this action-packed six-day trip, you can discover for yourself why so many people are drawn to this idyllic part of the UK. You'll explore many of the most beautiful locations in the archipelago, including a guided visit to Tresco Abbey Gardens (often referred to as 'Kew without the glass') where you'll find a huge variety of sub-tropical plants.

In the Scillies you'll also find many species of wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere in the UK. The Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Julian Branscombe, will join you one day to explore and join you for dinner and a talk. Countryfile presenter John Craven OBE will also spend a day exploring the Isles with you, and will attend dinner one evening to talk about his career and hold a Q&A session.

Your base will be on St Mary's, at the Star Castle Hotel. The hotel is in an historic building dating back to the sixteenth Century, and rustles up delicious dishes from fresh local ingredients. You might even get to sample the catch of the day caught by the hotel's owner.

When you're not out and about on excursions, you can relax in the peaceful secluded gardens or the heated indoor pool, in the company of your fellow travellers.

Please note this is a busy and full itinerary, so a good degree of mobility is required to get the most out of this trip, which involves lots of walking and getting in and out of boats.

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Your expert guide

John Craven OBE
Journalist and Broadcaster
John Craven OBE is a journalist and broadcaster, best known for presenting the BBC programmes Countryfile, Newsround, and Beat the Brain. Over the years, John has reported on many aspects of British rural life. In 2000, he was awarded an OBE for his services to broadcasting.

I love the Isles of Scilly and have many stories to tell of my time filming there, from sunken treasure ships to its fascinating wildlife. I will also talk about my long career in television from Newsround to Countryfile.

John Craven OBE

Price includes

  • Full services of a tour manager throughout the tour
  • Five nights' accommodation at the four-star Star Castle, St Mary's
  • Five breakfasts
  • Lunch at a local pub on St Agnes
  • Lunch on Bryher at the Hell Bay Hotel
  • Lunch on St Martins
  • Dinner and talk with John Craven OBE
  • Dinner and talk with Mike Nelhams, Curator of Tresco's Abbey Gardens
  • Dinner and talk with Julian Branscombe, CEO, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
  • Guided tour with Julian Branscombe
  • Return ferry from Penzance to St Mary's
  • Boat transfers between the islands
  • Guided visit to Tresco Abbey Gardens
  • Guided walk on St Agnes
  • Wildlife cruise from St Agnes
  • All entrance fees

Availability

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: TST SCILLIES CRAVEN
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    St Mary's
    St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom

    Today you'll arrive at Penzance and meet your tour group at the departure terminal for the Scillonian ferry. Here you'll meet your expert tour manager, who will greet you and assist you with check-in.

    Once you arrive on St Mary's, you'll make your way to The Star Castle Hotel, your home for the next five nights.

    After check-in, take some time to explore the headland of Hugh Town, with its shops, cafés, galleries, restaurants and pubs, before joining a welcome meeting later in the afternoon.

  2. Day
    2
    St Martin's
    St Martin's, Scilly Isles, United Kingdom

    Today you'll explore the lovely isle of St Martin's, where you'll discover the island's ruggedly beautiful shoreline. Little St Martin's is just two miles long but boasts some of the finest beaches in the British Isles.

    You'll have lunch at the St Martin's Karma Hotel, in its AA acclaimed two-Rosette Cloudesley Shovell restaurant. Here you can be sure of the freshest of fresh seafood. You can even watch the fisherman bring in the daily catch of lobster and crab straight from the crystal waters on the hotel's doorstep.

    After lunch, you'll pay a visit to St Martin's Vineyard, a unique coastal vineyard and winery working towards organic production of white, red and rose wines.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day
    3
    Bryher
    Bryher, United Kingdom

    Today you'll take the boat to beautiful Bryher where lunch has been arranged at the luxury Hell Bay Hotel. Bryher is an island of exciting contrasts. On one side you have the roaring Atlantic Ocean and a rugged coastline, while on the other side, you'll find tranquil waters and powder-soft beaches.

    Hell Bay is on the Atlantic side, and from here you can watch as dramatic waves thunder into the bay. The restaurant at Hell Bay Hotel is one of the best-rated in the Isles of Scilly. You'll tuck into award-winning dishes at the hotel bar, which use the finest ingredients from the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall and the wider West Country.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day
    4
    St Agnes
    St Agnes (Scilly Isles), United Kingdom

    This morning, following another hearty breakfast, you'll make your way to the jetty and hop on the ferry transfer to St Agnes, where you'll take a guided walk around the island's coastline.

    There's plenty to see along St Agnes' coast, from rocky outcrops on its exposed west side to paradise beaches in its sheltered coves. There's a sandbar that links St Agnes with the tiny neighbouring island of Gugh, where you'll find white sand and crystal-clear water.

    You'll tuck into lunch at a local pub before taking a fascinating marine wildlife cruise, where you have a chance to spot some of the special animals and birds who call the Scillies home.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  5. Day
    5
    Tresco
    Tresco, United Kingdom

    After breakfast, you'll meet your tour manager and your guide for the day. You'll make your way to the jetty and take the boat transfer to Tresco, where you'll visit the world-famous Tresco Abbey Garden, home to a collection of some 20,000 plants from 80 countries.

    The garden was established in the 19th century around the ruins of an old Benedictine Abbey and is now home to a fantastic variety of plants from all over the world, including Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa. The garden changes throughout the year as different species thrive. In spring, flowers bloom here weeks before they do on the mainland, thanks to the Tresco's special sub-tropical climate.

    Meals - Breakfast
  6. Day
    6
    Departure
    St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom

    After your final breakfast at The Star Castle, you'll enjoy some free time on St Mary's before taking the Scillonian ferry back to Penzance.

    Meals - Breakfast

Location

Star Castle's very own vineyard, the nature reserves - home to rare wildlife, and the Scilly Spirit gin distillery are just a few of the island's must-sees.

Star Castle is just a short walk from the centre of St Mary's island and harbour.
By plane: Newquay Airport (30 minutes), Exeter (1 hour), Lands End (15 minutes). A Skybus shuttle bus runs from Lands End airport to outside Penzance railway station.
By boat: the Scillionian III Passenger Ferry departs from Penzance Quay with a travel time of 2 hours 45 minutes.

View in Google Maps

Style & Character

Those after a little luxury, looking for somewhere to unwind against a backdrop of stunning sea views, will love Star Castle. It's hard not to fall for the original features of the castle, including the turrets and ramparts, large wooden beams, open-fireplaces and original stone walls.

Service & Facilities

Holy Vale, Star Castle's beautiful vineyard, is a must-see; its peaceful location and stunning views provide the ideal setting for a lobster lunch or wine-tasting.

  • Two restaurants

  • Bar

  • Afternoon tea
  • Indoor swimming pool
  • Tennis court
  • Kids' playground
  • Golf court
  • Subtropical garden

  • Kitchen gardens

  • Vineyard

  • Courtesy transport

  • Boat trips

  • Family-friendly
  • Dog-friendly

Rooms

We love the Garden Room's verandah, with its wooden chairs perfectly positioned to take in views of the island, providing the most heavenly palce to while away the hours.

Guard Rooms, Castle Rooms, Superior Castle Rooms, Garden Rooms and Suites, Superior Garden Suites, Family Rooms
Facilities include: tea and coffee making facilities, television, hairdryer, dressing gown, white fluffy bath and hand towels, ironing board and iron

Food & Drink

Produce doesn't get more local than this, with the hotel's two award-winning restaurants' menus boasting an array of fish and seafood from island suppliers and the hotel's own kitchen garden. Robert's freshly caught lobsters and crabs, brought in daily with a selection of his house vineyard wines, are an absolute treat for the tastebuds!

The Castle Restaurant: fine dining, locally caught seafood, kitchen garden produce. Open March - November for breakfast and dinner 6.30 - 8.30 pm. Two courses £36.50, three courses £42, four courses £45.
The Conservatory: fresh seafood, alfresco dining. Open April - October for breakfast and dinner. Pricing as above.
The Dungeon bar: ex-prison setting, Scillonian beer, wines and aperitifs.

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Availability

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: TST SCILLIES CRAVEN