Exploring the Isles of Scilly: An Accessible Adventure

This week, Viki and Matt from Access Cornwall CIC took to the skies—and the sea—for a special mission: to explore the accessibility of the stunning Isles of Scilly. With heartfelt thanks to Isles of Scilly Travel, we flew out on the Skybus and returned via the Scillonian III ferry, gathering insights for our upcoming Accessible Guide to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Getting There: Skybus and the Scillonian

Our journey began with a short flight from Land’s End Airport to St Mary’s Island. The Skybus flight run by Isles of Scilly Travel is just 15 minutes long and offers breathtaking views—if you’re looking! Matt, not a fan of flying, handed that job to Viki, who captured some beautiful shots from the air.

Accessibility-wise, the flight was smooth. Matt checked in his wheelchair and was loaned another to use until boarding. Boarding involved climbing four steps into the aircraft, while his chair was safely stowed in the hold. Despite a slight delay due to fog, the process was well-managed and friendly.

On arrival, the Isles of Scilly’s famously smooth system clicked into place. Taxi buses were waiting at the airport, and the driver—like many locals—knew exactly when the boats to the other islands were leaving and who needed to be dropped off first. It’s a small, connected community, and that really shows.

Exploring St Mary’s Island

Once in Hugh Town, we hired a cart from Scilly Carts, which had space for Matt’s wheelchair. Our first stop was the peaceful Porthloo Beach, followed by a scenic drive past Juliet’s Garden (sadly not accessible due to steps) and on to Trenoweth Flower Farm and Carn Vean Café.

Carn Vean Cafe was a highlight—level parking, accessible entry, and the biggest slices of sponge cake with strawberries and cream we’ve ever seen!

We then set off to explore more of the island. While the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has built new accessible bird hides and boardwalks, the paths leading to them aren’t yet accessible—but we’re told improvements are in the pipeline.

Driving through the island’s interior,  the hedgerows were bursting with agapanthus, sea campion, and ragged robin. After a gentle stroll (and wheel) along Old Town Bay, we stopped at Old Town Café, famous for its ginger cream teas—and enjoyed lunch by the sea.

Scenic Views and Local Treasures

From there, we headed up to The Garrison, near the historic Star Castle Hotel, where the views across to Bryher, Tresco, and the now-abandoned Samson were spectacular. It’s a short distance from here back into Hugh Town, where we popped into the Isles of Scilly Tourist Office—a lovely accessible building right on Porthcressa Beach, near the accessible toilets.

We also visited some of the island’s charming shops, picking up Veronica’s Farm Fudge (Viki’s favourite), Isles of Scilly T shirts and hats, and a beautiful old map of the islands.

There was just time for a drink in The Atlantic Inn, which has an accessible entrance and wonderful views, before we headed to the quay to catch our ride home.

The Journey Home: Scillonian III

Our return trip was aboard the Scillonian III, which is accessible to most wheelchair users. Matt boarded via the main gangplank and used the onboard lift to reach the main deck, where accessible toilets are available. Due to safety, the lift can’t be used during the voyage, so Matt settled into a priority seat near the café—perfect for ‘resting his eyes’.

Meanwhile, Viki sat outside and was treated to a magical moment: dolphins leaping from the water multiple times as we sailed back to Penzance. Disembarking can be steep depending on the tide, but the Scillonian crew were incredibly helpful, and before we knew it, we were back on the mainland.

Final Thoughts

We had a truly fabulous day exploring the Isles of Scilly. From accessible cafés and scenic drives to helpful locals and unforgettable views, we gathered a wealth of information that will feature in our Accessible Guide to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, launching this summer.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our visit so enjoyable. We can’t wait to return—and next time, we might just hop over to another island too.