The Sensational Isles of Scilly

Your Isles of Scilly holiday begins at London Paddington railway station where you are welcomed by the Tour Manager in the First Class lounge before boarding the midday train to Bodmin, enjoying the comfort of our First Class seats.   

Take in the changing scenery from the train window as we travel from the suburbs of London through the rural West Country and into Cornwall's wild, open landscapes.     

On arrival in the late afternoon, we are transferred by coach to our unique accommodation, the Bodmin Jail Hotel, for an overnight stay and an evening meal. This four-star hotel occupies the iconic former 18th-century jail - one of Britain's first modern prisons - which has been tastefully renovated, blending the fascinating history of the building with modern comfort and elegance.

• Dinner

After an early breakfast, we transfer by coach to Penzance to join the ferry to the beautiful Isles of Scilly. Sailing along the Cornish coastline, our journey begins with views of quaint villages and the rugged cliffs of Land's End peninsula.   

After travelling west from Land's End, our ferry docks at St Mary's, the largest of the Scilly islands. Here, we transfer to historic Hugh Town and check in to our central townhouse hotel for seven nights. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, and you are free to begin exploring.     

Hugh Town is the heart of St Mary's island and its unofficial capital, with eclectic shops, historic churches and characterful pubs. Find out more about the islands' maritime heritage and history at the new Isles of Scilly Cultural Centre and Museum or pop into one of the art galleries or craft studios. There are three beaches to discover in Hugh Town - Porthcressa Beach, Town Beach and Porthmellon Beach - known for their white sand and clear, turquoise waters. Dinner is served at our hotel tonight and each evening of our stay.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we set out from our hotel in Hugh Town on a full-day guided walking tour of St Mary's, with the option of joining only half of the day's tour.

Our guide introduces us to the tiny island, which covers just over 6 square miles, telling us tales of its history and local legends. Wandering through the cobbled streets of the island's Old Town, the oldest settlement on the island, which appears to be untouched by time, we pass quaint cottages and granite houses from the Georgian and Victorian periods. 

  Our walking tour includes a visit to the historic church where the late British Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson is buried, having spent many summers with his family on St Mary's. We also hear the story behind the unfinished fort of Harry's Walls and the secrets of the Lower Moors nature trail. At the end of the afternoon, we return to our hotel, where there's free time to relax before dinner. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we take a short walk down to the harbour for a boat trip to Tresco's world-famous Abbey Garden. With free entry included, there's a full day to enjoy this special place.   

Built in the early 19th century around a ruined Benedictine Abbey, this exceptional garden is a sanctuary for around 2,000 subtropical plants from Mediterranean climates around the world. Thanks to the warm weather of the Scilly Isles, exotic species from countries including Brazil, Myanmar, South Africa and New Zealand flourish here. There's plenty of time to wander through the winding paths at your own pace among towering palm trees and vibrant flower beds.     

Besides its stunning plant life, Abbey Garden is home to red squirrels, golden pheasants and some striking sculptures. While here, you could also visit the Valhalla Figurehead Museum to see its collection of preserved ship figureheads from 19th-century ships wrecked on Scilly's rocky shores, each with its own unique story and history. We sail back to St Mary's at the end of the afternoon, where there's time to relax before dinner. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a day at leisure, you can continue exploring the Scilly Isles at your own pace today. You could catch a ferry from Hugh Town's harbour to the smallest Scilly Isle, Bryher - with a population of around 80, this untamed island was the setting of Michael Morpurgo's novel Why the Whales Came and is a pleasure to explore. Discover rocky coves, unwind on the tranquil sandy beaches of Rushy Bay, or climb the small granite hills and watch the Atlantic waves crash into Hell Bay. 

  If you prefer to stay on St Mary's, there's plenty to enjoy. Besides visiting the churches, galleries and cafés of Hugh Town, you could walk up Garrison Hill to the Star Castle, stroll along the Porthcressa promenade, or walk along one of the many pristine beaches.   

However you choose to spend the day, dinner is served at our hotel this evening. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we walk down to the harbour to catch the boat to St Agnes, the most south-westerly of the Scilly islands at the very tip of the British Isles. We have a few hours to get to know this fascinating island. With nothing but 3,000 miles of Atlantic Ocean between here and America's shores, this remote outpost offers panoramic views, Bronze Age burial sites and the Bishop Rock lighthouse.   

The island is easy to explore on foot and the town is a short walk from the ferry port - here, you could visit the Pot Buoys Gallery, which features the work of a variety of local artists, including paintings, jewellery, ceramics and sculpture. The island's most popular pub is the Turks Head, with great views, a highly rated menu and a range of real ales. Other local favourites include Toy Town Ice Cream Farm, the popular Coastguards Café, and Covean Cottage, which serves pizzas, freshly baked cakes and scones.  

We sail back to St Mary's harbour in the afternoon, where you have time at leisure until dinner. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Another day on the Scilly Isles brings a boat trip to another incredible island - St Martin's. Here, your day can be as busy or relaxed as you wish, with a choice of activities, from snorkelling or beachcombing to peaceful places to sit and soak up the scenery.   

This two-mile-long island has some of the best beaches in Europe - you might want to take a dip in the clear blue waters of Par Beach or stroll along the soft sands of Great Bay, Little Bay or Bread and Cheese Cove.     

St Martin's also has a great arts and crafts scene, with independent shops and galleries. You could lunch on local lobster at a pub garden with a beautiful view, such as the Seven Stones Inn, pick up a home baked pasty from the Island Bakery, or order a delicious cream tea from the tearooms. We sail back to St Mary's at the end of the afternoon with time to relax before dinner at our hotel. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is our last full day on peaceful St Mary's island, and you are free to enjoy it as you please. You could decide to simply make the most of the island's gentle pace of life, where nature runs wild and time slows down, and take a final leisurely stroll along one of the island's picturesque beaches, such as Porthcressa or Old Town Bay.    

One option is to take a boat trip around the island to spot some of the abundant marine life, including seals and dolphins. Alternatively, you might like to walk along the stunning coastline, visit an archaeological site, or follow a nature trail. Today is also your last chance to enjoy lunch at one of St Mary's highly rated eateries - ranging from fresh crab sandwiches at the Tanglewood Kitchen Company to traditional dishes at the Star Castle Dining Room, Hugh Town offers a great choice of dining.    

  This evening, we enjoy the final dinner of the tour at our hotel restaurant. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our tour of the beautiful Scilly Isles has taken us from characterful Penzance on the Cornish coast to our Hugh Town base on the main island of St Mary's. From here, we experienced the island's culture, history and legends on guided tours, and discovered the glorious Mediterranean gardens of Tresco Abbey on a full day excursion, before exploring the idyllic remote islands of St Martin's and St Agnes.  

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board a flight to Land's End, where we drive back to Penzance station. There is time in Penzance to find lunch independently, before we board our train to London Paddington, travelling in First Class. On arrival into London, your holiday draws to a close and you are free to continue your journey home. 

• Breakfast