Isles of Scilly Guided Island Hopping Holiday

Cromwell's Castle, Isles of Scilly
Duration: 6 nights
Type: Island hopping
Walking Grade: 2
from £1,659pp

Little beats the Isles of Scilly for dazzling white sand beaches, translucent turquoise waters, dramatic headlands, and a beautiful interior dotted with prehistoric sites. For those keen to hop from island to island and experience the very best of what each has to offer, this is the perfect introduction to the archipelago. Highlights include Gugh for its Bronze Age monument, St Mary’s for an exploration of the island capital, Hugh Town, St Martin’s for its lovely stretches of sand, and Tresco for Abbey Garden – a botanical paradise with more than 3,000 species of plants and trees.

What you’ll love

  • Spending time at the Valhalla Museum on Tresco  
  • Exploring the archaeological sites on Gugh 
  • Discovering the charm of St Mary's and St Martin's 
  • Birdwatching and walking on the wild and rugged Bryher 
  • Soaking up stunning views of the sea and the sky 
  • Visiting St Agnes on the archipelago’s south-westerly edge 
  • A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 16 people)

What’s included

  • Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation(s) 
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning 
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee  
  • Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader 
  • All transport to and from walks where necessary 

Trip Notes

Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Your leader will be at reception at 18:30 to meet the group and for a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner.

The daily itinerary has to be very flexible as our itinerary, like life on Scilly, is determined by weather and tide. We have provided you an outline of the selection of walks on each of the islands which could be included in the itinerary. There are lots of things to see on each island, so some of the walks are not as lengthy as others. The holiday runs at a relaxing pace so that you get a real flavour of island life.

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This is the second largest of the islands. Tresco and its garden are world-renowned and attract many visitors each year. We will see white sand beaches and a panorama of islands from the coastal path and explore the north of the island with its wild heathland, rocky coastlines and 16th and 17th century castles. There will be the chance to visit the Abbey Garden and to explore this collection of sub-tropical plants, and also to see the Valhalla museum – housing figureheads salvaged from shipwrecks from around the islands’ shores.

6 miles (9.5km) with 550ft (160m) of ascent.

Abbey Gardens, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, England


Surrounded by rocks and reefs, St Agnes is the most south-westerly community in the UK, where the whitewashed lighthouse and traditional stone cottages tumble down to tiny bulb fields, and pocket sized farms. Our circular walk will take us past the old lifeboat station, Troytown Maze, a labyrinth laid out in beach pebbles, and the granite outcrop of the Nag’s Head. From the coastal path we will have impressive views of the treacherous Western Rocks and the famous Bishop Rock lighthouse. A visit to Gugh (pronounced like the name Hugh, but with a G) is determined by the tide. This small island is home to a bounty of archaeological sites.

5 miles (8km) with 500ft (150m) of ascent.

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Though the third largest of the islands, St Martin’s is a narrow island only 2 miles long. Easily recognisable from its fine shimmering white sandy beaches, the shores of St Martin’s have the longest stretches of sand in Scilly. Following the coastal path takes us past kelp pits, through scented gorse heathlands, to stone and rope labyrinths. We follow the sandy shore of Little Bay and Great Bay, before turning inland to the flower fields and glasshouses of Higher Town. We also head over the golden gorse heathland of Chapel Down to St Martin’s Head with its chapel, Daymark and ruined Signal Station.

6½ miles (10.5km) with 550ft (170m) of ascent.

The Daymark, Chapel Down, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, England


Our walk circumnavigates the Islands’ hub of St Mary’s, starting out from our base in Hugh Town. We explore the coastline, passing by the archaeological sites of Bant’s Carn and Innisidgen, the granite tors of Porth Hellick and Peninnis Head, and the one and only set of traffic lights on the islands, at the airport! Before returning to Hugh Town, the coastal path brings us to Old Town– a favourite haunt and now the resting place of the former Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

10 miles (16km) with 900ft (280m) of ascent.

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Bryher is wild, windswept and unkempt, and has a very individual feel to it. Fewer than 100 people live here. There is only one road, and the locals quote the definition of a traffic jam as being “when two tractors meet”! The island has a magnificent variety of scenery, from the wild and rugged Hell Bay in the north, to the peaceful bays and secluded beaches of the south. Our walk will take us across heather moorland, past prehistoric cairns and boulder walls and along sandy coastal paths to see these different sides of Bryher.

5 miles (8km) with 600ft (180m) of ascent.

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Itinerary map for Isles of Scilly

Bell Rock Hotel, St Mary's - Isles of Scilly

You will be staying at the Bell Rock Hotel on St Mary’s, the largest of the islands stretching to two-and-a-half miles by one-and-three-quarters. Mid-way between the two beaches of Porthcressa and Town Beach, it is situated on a quiet street, minutes from the shops, and a short stroll from the harbour. The hotel has a small heated indoor swimming pool and good WiFi. Rooms have a hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities and a boot tray.

The holiday is Half Board with the opportunity to eat in pubs and cafes at lunchtime, experiencing the local produce, rather than buying a packed lunch.

Food & drink

Our holidays on the Isles of Scilly are half-board, with breakfast and evening meal provided.

Dietary requirements

Our partner hotels can cater for most dietary requirements, but it is important you advise us of any allergies and dietary restrictions you have at the time of booking.

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Getting to Bell Rock Hotel, St Mary's - Isles of Scilly

Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.

More Information

Essential information

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip  
  • Waterproof and windproof jacket 
  • Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)  
  • Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
  • Waterproof overtrousers  
  • Gloves and a warm hat  
  • Rucksack with waterproof liner 
  • Flask for hot drinks   
  • Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)  
  • Sunscreen  
  • UV sunglasses  

Recommended  

  • Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)  
  • Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters  
  • First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent 
  • Sit mat   
  • Waterproof pouch for valuables  
  • Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)  
  • Wallet/purse  
  • Camera 

Guest reviews

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

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Holiday prices

Date (Start - End) Itinerary Double / Twin Room Single Room Notes / Offers Trip Notes Book
2025

28 Mar - 03 Apr 2025

6 nights

Island Hopping

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15 Apr - 21 Apr 2025

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25 Apr - 01 May 2025

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09 May - 15 May 2025

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20 May - 26 May 2025

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20 Jun - 26 Jun 2025

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04 Jul - 10 Jul 2025

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18 Jul - 24 Jul 2025

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01 Aug - 07 Aug 2025

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15 Aug - 21 Aug 2025

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29 Aug - 04 Sep 2025

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19 Sep - 25 Sep 2025

6 nights

Island Hopping

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£1,659 pp

from

£1,659 pp

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04 Oct - 10 Oct 2025

6 nights

Island Hopping

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Duration:
6 nights
Type:
Island hopping
Walking Grade:
2

6 nights from £1,659pp

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