Paradise is closer than you think… Welcome to Tresco, Isles of Scilly.
This was My UK Staycation’s second visit to the Isles of Scilly and somehow, we fell even more in love. The Isles of Scilly feel like a tropical escape, yet it’s right here in the UK. Even better, it still flies under the radar, making it wonderfully unique and the perfect antidote to busy everyday life.
Where exactly are the Isles of Scilly?
Just off the coast of Cornwall in the South West of England lies this enchanting archipelago, remote enough to feel like an adventure, yet surprisingly easy to reach.
There’s something undeniably special about the Isles of Scilly, and our latest trip to Tresco during the Walk Scilly festival felt like stepping into a slower, brighter, more magical version of the UK. When you think of Tresco, on the Isles of Scilly you think crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sand (that genuinely glitters), quiet car-free lanes, and long relaxed days that stretch out in front of you.
Here’s everything from how we got there to what we did (and of course, what we ate), to help you plan your own island escape to Tresco.
How We Got There
Getting to Tresco is part of the adventure and honestly, it sets the tone for the whole trip. You’ll find tonnes of local information at Visit Isles of Scilly but here’s how we did it.
We travelled down to Cornwall from London aboard the Great Western Railway Night Riviera Sleeper train. This was our hotel for the night. After checking in at Paddington, we relaxed in the first class lounge, enjoying a complimentary snack and drink before boarding our train to find our private cabin and beds for the night. There’s something wonderfully relaxing about taking the sleeper train. By morning we had arrived in Cornwall and enjoyed our breakfast whilst watching the Cornish countryside pass by.
From there, we swapped tracks for skies with Penzance Helicopters. The short flight over to the Isles of Scilly is breathtaking with crystal-clear waters, tiny islands scattered like jewels, it’s hard to believe you’re in the UK.
If you’re travelling from outside of London, make your way to Penzance where you can catch a helicopter or take the ferry.
Where We Stayed
The best way to describe a stay on Tresco is as a beautiful island resort. With a choice of apartments, cottages and even the pub scattered across the island there is a variety of options to choose from. When staying on Tresco you get access to the Island Spa’s with a pool, sauna, and jacuzzi in the Island Spa and the Garden Spa. We based ourselves on the east side of Tresco, in Old Grimsby giving us beautiful sunrises straight from our apartment and easy access to The Garden Spa and Ruin Beach Cafe.
Sea Garden Cottages are perfect for a self-catering stay, the apartments gave us flexibility, slow mornings watching the sunrise from our balcony, lazy breakfasts, sunset drinks, and the option to cook or dine out (which you’ll want to do here). Everything on Tresco feels within easy reach, so you’re never far from a beach, a café, or your next adventure.
What We Did
Hire Bikes and Explore
Tresco is blissfully car-free, so cycling is the best way to get around. We hired bikes early on and spent hours exploring quiet paths, coastal tracks, and hidden corners of the island.
Abbey Garden Wander
The world famous Tresco Abbey Garden is a must. Subtropical plants thrive here thanks to the mild climate, and it feels more like the tropics than the UK. And don’t miss the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads.
The Island Spa Experience
We treated ourselves at The Island Spa, a real highlight. From relaxing treatments to the outdoor spa area, it’s the perfect place to unwind.
Cold Sea Dip & Sauna
One of the most invigorating moments! If you follow us you’ll know how much we love a cold sea dip followed by warming up in the spa’s sauna. Refreshing doesn’t quite cover it, it’s addictive.
Beach Days
Tresco’s beaches are unreal. Powdery white sand, clear blue water, and barely anyone around. We spent a few blissful hours simply relaxing and soaking it all in.
Hiking and a Step Back in Time
It’s quite easy to walk around the whole of the island in a day. History lovers will enjoy exploring:
Old Blockhouse
King Charles's Castle
Cromwell's Castle
Each site offers incredible views and a tangible sense of the island’s past.
If you visit during the Walk Scilly annual festival, you’ll be able to join one of their guided walks.
Kayaking Adventures
Hire a kayak from Hut 62 and explore the coastline from the water.
Inter-Island Day Trips
Island hopping is a must. Boats run regularly to neighbouring islands like St Mary’s and St Martin’s, each with its own personality and charm.
Tresco Gallery Visit
A stop at the Tresco Gallery is perfect for browsing local art.
Yoga Class
You can book on to a Yoga class that run several times throughout the week at Yoga studio above The Flyingboat. A yoga class with the most memorable views.
Where to Eat
Tresco punches well above its weight when it comes to food, everything we ate was delicious and the island shop is perfectly curated to give you a wide selection of delicious food and ingredients:
The New Inn – relaxed pub atmosphere with great hearty dishes
The Flying Boatman – perfect for a laid-back drink/coffee and pastries (they do dishes later in the season)
The Ruin Beach Cafe – stunning setting, Mediterranean-inspired menu and wood fired pizza. Their cocktails are pretty incredible too.
Abbey Garden Cafe – ideal for lunch during your garden visit
One of our highlights was picking up supplies from the island shop for a scenic picnic, overlooking Old Grimsby.
Walk Scilly Festival
If you’re looking for a reason to visit, the Walk Scilly Festival is a brilliant one.
Typically running across April, the festival offers a range of guided walks across the islands, covering everything from wildlife and archaeology to food and local history.
We joined a historical half-day walking tour, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Led by a knowledgeable archaeologist and guide, it brought Tresco’s past to life, from shipwrecks to civil war defences and added so much depth to places we might otherwise have simply passed by.
Our picnic spot
Tresco and in fact the Isles of Scilly in general is the kind of place that quietly gets under your skin. It’s not about ticking off attractions, it’s about slowing down something we can certainly struggle to do. Now pair it with the Walk Scilly festival and it becomes even more special.
So, if you’re craving a UK escape that feels a world away but is actually much easier to reach than you thought, Tresco might just be for you.
How much a trip like this costs??
For our April 2026 trip, doing it exactly this way for two people with a private cabin on the Great Western Railway Night Riviera, helicopter transfers with Penzance Helicopters, and three nights in a Sea Garden apartment on Tresco, you are realistically looking at around £2,000 to £2,300 total. This is very much a luxury, high end UK staycation, and the price reflects that. But honestly, it is one of those trips where the experience justifies every pound, from falling asleep on the train in London to waking up in Cornwall, then flying over turquoise waters to one of the most beautiful corners of the UK. It is easily one of the most special travel experiences you can have without leaving the country.
Of course, there are ways to do it for a little bit less, alternative accommodation, cheaper train fares, or travelling at quieter times of year can all bring the cost down. And if you simply want to visit the islands, hopping on the Scillonian III from Penzance for a day trip is a far more budget friendly option, but for a truly unforgettable, once in a while escape, this version is hard to beat.
💰 Trip cost breakdown (2 adults, April, return)
🚆 Great Western Railway Night Riviera (private cabin both ways): £450 to £550
🚁 Penzance Helicopters (return flights): £400 to £520
🏝️ Sea Garden apartment, Tresco (3 nights): £1,100 to £1,250
Total trip cost:
£1,950 to £2,320 for two people