Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly

To Carbis Bay and St Ives

We meet today at the First Class lounge in London Paddington, ahead of our rail journey to Penzance. Or arrival, we transfer to our hotel where we enjoy dinner together.

On Day 2, we are immersed in the beauty of Cornwall's west coast. We transfer by rail (Standard Class) to pretty St Ives, where there's some free time. From St Ives, we drive along beautiful Cape Cornwall to Land's End, continuing to Penzance where we have some time at leisure. We return to the hotel by coach in time for dinner.

Arriving in Scilly

After breakfast, we transfer by coach to Land's End airport. We split into groups for the short flight to St Mary's, one of the Scilly Islands. We transfer to our hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure to get acquainted with the delightful surroundings.

Perhaps explore Hugh Town, with its shops, quaint churches, restaurants and pubs as well as the Isles of Scilly Museum. Hugh Town also offers 3 lovely beaches - Porthcressa, Town Beach and Porthmellon Beach. The coastline of St Mary's offers an escape away from the activities of the town centre.

We explore the town further on a full -day guided walking tour on Day 4, taking in some of the loveliest sights, including the Old Town. The church here is the final resting place of Sir Harold Wilson, who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 1970s.

Tresco Abbey Gardens

Today, we enjoy a highlight of our holiday, as we travel by boat to visit Tresco's famous Abbey Gardens. Here, you can be forgiven if you think you have been transported to Italy, as the gardens are filled with a stunning array of sub-tropical plants.

Built in the 19th century around a ruined Benedictine Abbey, they are home to plants from all over the world; from Brazil and Myanmar to South Africa and New Zealand.

Tresco Abbey Gardens offer an ever-changing landscape of scents and sights to enjoy. You are free to explore the garden at your leisure, before returning to St Mary's.

At leisure and homeward bound

Enjoy a full day at leisure today, the perfect opportunity to visit one of the archipelago's other islands, such as St Agnes or Bryher.

The island of St Agnes is on the most south-westerly edge of the Isles of Scilly, offering unspoilt beaches amidst stunning landscapes. St Agnes also has a prosperous farming community as the island depends heavily on agriculture. Right next to St Agnes is the uninhabited island of Annet, which is a bird sanctuary and it's not rare to spot unique seabirds like European storm-petrels, black-backed gull and manx shearwater among others. If you are looking for a touch of culture, Pot Buoys Gallery showcases the work of artists across the Scilly Isles, with much of their work inspired by the idyllic local scenery.

The island of Bryher is famously known for being the setting of the film 'When the Whales Came', based on the novel by author Michael Morpurgo. The Bryher Shop, a general store with a post office, is a charming place to visit. With freshlymade bread and tatty cakes (potato cakes), you will be delighted with the array of food on offer here. The island boasts quite a few charming cafés and pubs, including Fraggle Rock, one of Britain's smallest bars, and Vina Cafe. You could taste fresh homemade fudge at Veronica Farm Fudge.

On Day 7, after breakfast, we transfer to St Mary's ferry port for the ferry back to Penzance. After dinner in a local restaurant here, you join the Riviera Sleeper back to London. After our arrival back in London Paddington on Day 8, your tour concludes.

Please Note

On our June departure, the tour operates on a reverse itinerary. Please call for more details.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.