Isles of Scilly - Anyone Been?
 

We are in the throes of planning our May trip to the UK, flying into Exeter, spending 3 nights there with friends, then taking a train to Penzance for a night (hotel just booked). From there we'll take a boat trip to the Isles of Scilly, which I just this evening learned was possible. They look lovely, and we'd like to spend at least two nights there before making our way back to shore and heading for London for about 4-5 nights.

Of course I'm reading everything I can get my hands on about them, but has anyone here ever been? In all the years I've been on travel boards I don't ever remember reading a thing about themd

They are discussed periodically on Fodors, you just probably never noticed. If you just type "scilly" into the search box you will find several posts on them within the past year alone.

There have been several threads about the Scilly Isles -- I've been once but too long ago to be of much help currently.

I personally would fly not take the boat over. You can fly in from either Exeter or Newquay.

. . . If you plug Scilly Isles into the search box up top you will get quite a few threads.

I looked imto going a couple of years back, and am considering it again for May this year. I had a LOT of trouble finding somewhere to stay - not many options, and a lot of them booked up a year ahead of time by regulars.

My wi

Found them, thanks. Not sure why I never noticed before. Looks like a wonderful place to visit. The cost to fly (a 15-minute flight) seems exorbitant compared to the boat trip (2.5 hours), but I'll have to think about that - I'm not great on a boat in choppy seas, but neither am I great on a small plane.

The islands used to do organised swims between them (wet suits provided plus support) all looked like a lot of fun. Plus you get to meet basking sharks (harmless).

bilbo, my husband is a devoted swimmer. He might like that. You couldn't pay me....I wouldn't mind the sharks, I'm just not good in water I can't stand up in.

From what I've read and been told, if you tend towards seasickness you should take the plane. If it is flying.

http://www.scillyswimchallenge.co.uk/ read down

I have no seasickness tendencies, ever. I just freak out on choppy seas (I almost died on a bad whitewater rafting trip years ago and get bad vibes in choppy seas).

Well, apparently this crossing can be very choppy.

I'll take the boat and deal with it. From what I've seen, the cost to fly is exorbitant compared to taking a boat. These are the experiences that make travel memorable. So you were afraid? So what? You remembered something important.

I took the ferry over two years ago in May. It was only a day trip but I was enchanted with the Isles. The weather was drizzly off and on. I watched the gig rowing championships and wandered around the town.

On several occasions I've had to choose between traveling by boat/ ferry or flying. Never been seasick and always figured if the seas are rough/ choppy the flight will likely be rough/ choppy too. Yes, I know they don't always correspond but that's just the way I think. Personally ( and, we all have our own opinions ) I'd rather be on choppy seas than a bumpy flight. Must be my Vikingblood.;)

I don't think anyone has mentioned Tresco and the Tresco Abbey Gardens. I visited here while on a National Geographic tour and thought it was pretty amazing. Also walked along the beach ( no one else around ) and collected sea glass. A wonderful experience.

Went to Scilly about 3 times every year in the early 70s, usually a couple of weeks Easter, Whit and summer. Haven't been back so not likely to be of any help but thanks for the memories! We used to drive down to Penzance from London overnight. Park on the quayside and get the early Scillonian. Yes, it was a flat-bottomed boat and very bumpy. I used to go straight down below and sleep for 3 hours. Stayed with friends on St Marys, most of whom are dead by now. Wonderful times, got little boats between various islands, drank ourselves to death in the pubs with no police and no licensing hours, though the Prime Minister Harold Wilson was usually propping up the bar in The Mermaid. How the world has changed.

great memories gertie!

>>I used to go straight down below and sleep for 3 hours. <<

That is why I'd fly ;) 3 hours on that route can be very urpy . . .

Visit or not, you might like to get hold of this:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/20...-taylor-review

(There's talk of it being made into a TV series as well).

https://scillysergeant.wordpress.com/

Thanks, Patrick. We're definitely going and I'll read the book!