10 Things to do with kids on the Isles of Scilly
Hopefully, having visited as a parent and a child, I can see, from both sides, the best ten things to do with your kids on the Isles of Scilly. I’ve been lucky to visit many times since my first holiday aged 7. As an adult, I couldn’t wait to take my children!
First things first: there aren’t any theme parks, water slides, multi-plexes or toy shops. What there are: adventures to be had, beaches to rival the Caribbean and freedom to explore. Okay, that last one has changed a bit since I was a kid. Back then, there were hardly any cars on the roads. Things are a bit different now, especially on the main island, St Marys, but that doesn’t take away the fact that the Isles of Scilly are magical, tropical-like islands, just 28 miles off the coast of mainland Britain. When the sun shines, there is nowhere better in the World.
So, here are ten things to give your kids holiday memories of the Isles of Scilly to last a lifetime:
1. Beaches in the Scillies
Every one of the five inhabited islands has beaches galore; it would be too difficult to name the best beach for kids but, if they want to play in pure white talcum powder sand or paddle or swim in clean, clear water, these are our favourites:
2. Golf Buggies
The largest island, St. Mary’s, has a ring road of about nine miles so it’s not as easy for little ones to walk around as the other smaller islands. But, it’s an excuse to hire a golf buggy, see the whole island and give the kids an adventure for the day. Our kids love riding around St. Mary’s on these. A great way to see all of the islands, especially if your little ones can’t walk miles. You can hire these from: The Scilly Cart Company
3. Rock pools
What child doesn’t have fun with a net and a low tide on Britain’s beaches. The Scillies has them in abundance. A few of our favourites: Tresco, Green Bay, Bryher, St. Agnes, Stinky Porth. Many self-catering places have free buckets, spades and nets to use that previous guests have left behind. Remember the beach shoes as the shoreline can be quite rocky!
4. Valhalla Museum, Tresco Gardens
My kids love it here. Not just for gardeners, Tresco Gardens is well worth a visit if you have kids.
Although they probably won’t appreciate the exotic plants from around the world, they will enjoy spotting red squirrels, golden pheasants, shell pictures and running around the hidden lawns. The Valhalla Museum collection was started in 1840 by Augustus Smith who looked after the islands as Lord Proprietor. Most of the figureheads come from wrecked ships that lie around the Scillies’ dangerous waters.
5. Play Parks
If your kids need a bit more exercise on the way home from the beach, there are a few great play parks on St. Mary’s.
Our favourite has to be the one near to Porthcressa Beach (there can’t be many play parks in Britain with such an amazing view).
Another fun play park is The Pirate Ship at the Garrison, a short walk from the harbour.
6. Hire a boat
If you visit Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited islands, take a stroll via beach or lane to Green Bay. Here you can hire small boats including catamarans and sailing dinghies at Hut 62 and head out into the channel between Bryher and Tresco. They provide lifejackets for adults and children plus lots of expert help and advice. You can even sail to your very own uninhabited island, Samson, for a picnic.
7. Ancient Village
Each year that we holidayed in the Scillies, a visit to Bants Carn and the Halangy Down Ancient Village on St. Mary’s was a must. It’s further across the island from Hugh Town, but you can walk, hire a golf buggy or take a bus. Near the Telegraph, there’s a sign post to a narrow lane that heads down towards the sea. You can’t miss the ancient tombs and village. Bant’s Carn is a bronze age tomb overlooking the sea with the Iron Age settlement just below, which was occupied for more than 5000 years. Fortunately, there is much nice accommodation now available on St. Mary’s.
8. Trip to see the seals
A must for any visit to the Scillies. Make sure you check the boards on the quay for the times of the boat trips. All are dependent on the tide times. Try to get there early as the queues can be long; the nearer you are to the front, you can choose the best seats! Always a good idea to sit on the outer seats so your kids get a great view and you can hang on to them! If it’s a rough sea, huddling in the centre seats means you might avoid getting soaked by the waves. The seals around Scilly are Atlantic grey seals, surprisingly one of the most rare seals in the world. When you get up close to them on a boat trip, or even closer if you go snorkelling with seals on St. Martins, you’ll see that they are big!
9. Island hopping
Island hopping has to be done at least once. Depending on which island you are staying on, you will have a choice of islands to visit and boats to take you there. Obviously, St. Mary’s has a bigger selection of boats to choose from. Again, make sure you get there as early as possible to avoid the queues. Check the weather forecast before you set off as things can change quite quickly on Scilly. There are cafes and a shop on each of the off islands but sometimes it’s a long walk from the beaches so it’s best to be prepared with a rain mac, sun cream, snacks and water for the kids.
You can take pushchairs on the boats though lightweight foldable ones are better. Going off the main pathways is difficult with a buggy, so you might have to stick to easier routes. Give yourself plenty of time to get back to the boats; they won’t wait for you! It’s a different story getting yourself back from the other side of an island to having two kids and a pushchair in tow (I speak from experience, both as a parent and as an over-tired child!)
10. Tearooms
I have to mention a few tearooms as there will be a time on your visit to Scilly, unless you are incredibly lucky, when the weather is not so good. But, at least it is an excuse to sample some of the lovely fare on offer on these incredible islands. Here are four that we love:
Kavorna Café, St. Mary’s – I remember this café from my first visits to St. Mary’s as a child in the 1970s. Over the years it has been a bit hit and miss with the standard of food here but I’ve included it for nostalgia and because it’s very close to the harbour should you need a snack on the way back home.
Old Town Café, St. Mary’s – Lovely lovely Old Town, probably my favourite place on St. Mary’s. Even better that you can get lunch or grab a pasty right next to the beach.
Fraggle Rock, Bryher – Many years ago this was a private little cottage, where you could book a meal in the garden, served by the owner. Things have changed a lot since, but the location of Fraggle Rock has to be on of the best in the UK. It is a very special place that kids will love as the beach is closeby plus fantastic walks up onto the hills overlooking the island. Paradise. The food is great as well!
Juliet’s Garden, St. Mary’s – This has grown since my first visits as a child. Back then it was a little hut in the garden selling teas, now it’s a lovely restaurant with a big terraced garden. My children love it here as there are places to hide and climb trees and it has the tamest sparrows on Scilly (lovely food too).
