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VISIT 2019 PRESS PACK FEATURE STORY IDEAS AND TOPLINE INFORMATION

Media Contacts Carolyn Garman 07899 907178 / 01720 620601 [email protected] Rachel Greenlaw 01720 620601 [email protected]

Visit Isles of Scilly  visitislesofscilly.com ESCAPE TO THE ISLES OF SCILLY

Just 28 miles off the coast of , SOME SCILLY FACTS the Isles of Scilly is a cluster of jewel- Among the 140 or so uninhabited islands like islands, tucked away in the vast and , there are five inhabited islands; St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, and . Close enough to St. Agnes. Each has its own distinctive mainland UK, yet a world apart in character despite their close proximity. so many ways, these wild little isles You can island hop between all the islands in a matter of minutes. are fringed with white sand beaches, covered in flowers and gorse, and 2,200 people live on this tiny . surrounded by the glittering sea. 1,800 are based on the largest, St. Mary’s; with about 110 each on Tresco and The ebb and flow of daily life is St. Martin’s, and between 80 and 90 a little slower, more relaxed, and on Bryher and St. Agnes. perfectly in tune with the seasonal The beaches are not only some of nature of the isles. This is a place for the most beautiful in the UK, but also escape and adventure, to swim with the finest in the world. seals, to gaze at the stars and to take a The entire archipelago is designated as an breath of fresh, pure air. Marvel at the AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY. storms sweeping through in the winter months; bask in the sun-drenched Scilly enjoys one of the mildest climates in the UK. days of summer.

There’s a whole host of events each year, all “On Scilly, hedgerows are bursting with distinctly , all offering visitors a song, there are no cars on most of the taste of real island life. islands and limited access keeps a lid on visitor numbers… For families, it feels Scilly welcomes around 125,000 visitors like a chapter from a Famous Five tale.” a year – a combination of holidaymakers, day trippers from Cornwall and passengers Mark Rowe from visiting cruise ships. National Geographic Traveller BEGIN YOUR SCILLY STORY

Journey across to the islands and A SPOTLIGHT ON… experience a hidden haven that will Hell Bay Hotel and Crab shack live long in your mind; a timeless, An award-winning hotel on the beautiful easy-going place where you can island of Bryher with an exclusive dinner write your own unique story. option – freshly caught Bryher crab, and scallops prepared and Here are just a few ideas for you: cooked to order in an intimate setting.

St. Martin’s Observatory ISLAND ESCAPE New for 2019. Visit the stunning isle of Immerse yourself in a slower pace of life on the St. Martin’s, a Desginated Dark Skies Isles of Scilly with island hopping adventures Discovery Zone, and gaze at the stars at the between the five inhabited islands, all about a new, purpose-built community observatory. 20-minute boat ride away. Enjoy strolling across A first on the Isles of Scilly and the most shell scattered beaches or discovering hidden south-westerly observatory in the UK. trails through the and woods. Island Gin Distillery WILD LITTLE ISLES New for 2019. Scilly Spirit crafts gorgeous Enjoy windswept coastal walks, potter along gin from a range of botanicals. The twist? pristine white beaches and lose yourself for the You choose your own unique blend in a day along trails and footpaths with plenty of workshop setting and take a bottle home. foodie stops along the way. Wander back through history as you explore castles and ruins, or keep Creative Scilly Festival an eye out on a sea safari for puffins, seabirds, New for 2019. Bringing the islands’ dolphins and porpoises. creative and cultural talent together for 13 days of island whimsy and intrigue. “The dramatic coastal scenery and sense of From 10th – 22nd May. isolation on the Isles of Scilly make them a unique place to explore on foot.” Tanglewood Feasts Exclusive Scillonian feast nights in a Annabelle Thorpe quirky setting. Sup on gourmet delights The Times in small groups in the old post office, steeped in island history. STARLIGHT AND STORMS Marvel at the milky way, experience a meteor shower or come for a wild night in the early season. With a new observatory on St. Martin’s and endless stretches of darkness to welcome the stars, there’s nowhere better to sit back and star gaze or storm watch.

A PLACE FOR MINDFULNESS From wild yoga to meditation, the islands are a place for calm and peace. Read, write, sketch or simply sit back and enjoy the seclusion. Scilly is safe and welcoming, the ideal place to A SPOTLIGHT ON… recharge and renew you. CONTINUED

“The islands enjoy their own relaxed pace Island Fish, Bryher of life and you’ll appreciate more by doing less. From sea to plate, watch Mark Pender, Simply soak up the unique scenery and enjoy Shellfish Fisherman of the Year, cast out a sense of remote relaxation.” with his lines and nets, landing the freshest island seafood for you to enjoy. Wendy Johnson Woman’s Own Island Cinema Bring a picnic blanket and relax in pop-up FIND YOUR ADVENTURE settings to experience outdoor cinema With an island playground to explore, start shows with the isles as the backdrop. with a coastal boulder yomp, scramble along the shoreline, then take a dip in the sheltered Vineyards coves – or out into the vast Atlantic - for a Tour the vineyards and taste the local spot of wild sea swimming. Kayak to your own wines produced on St. Mary’s and uninhabited island for the day and swim with St. Martin’s in the sunshine. Holyvale friendly seals. Wines offers exclusive lobster lunches amongst the vines; St. Martin’s Vineyard A TASTE OF SCILLY offer special taster tours. Across the isles are many artisan producers and foodie hot spots allowing you to enjoy Longstone Lodge eating like a local. From dining on freshly The only hostel on the isles, featuring cool caught lobster to workshops to craft your own accommodation in family rooms through to gin with your choice of botanicals, Scilly serves singles, and a fully-equipped kitchen in a up a range of gourmet delights, all washed spectacular island setting. down with the sound of the waves. ROMANCING THE ROCK Feel the sand between your toes and the sun on your face as you say ‘I do’. Castaway on your own adventure, renew your vows, tie the knot or simply bask in the glow of a celebration for two.

“Beautifully romantic, a place where time stands still and moments shared will last forever.”

Jessica Way Exclusively British magazine

SIMPLE PLEASURES A family holiday without the fuss, fall into the myScilly #MYSCILLY Scilly way of life and potter along the beach with buckets and spades, explore the winding Nowhere is more local than the Isles country lanes by bike, or hop on a wildlife of Scilly, with family ties that go back safari boat trip. A chance to bring together generations. The isles are full of interesting every generation. characters, many with a story to tell and a little bit of sea water washing around their CREATIVE ISLANDS hearts. Take a visit to the museum on With so much natural inspiration, it’s no St. Mary’s, a treasure trove filled with island wonder that the isles are filled with creatives. history of shipwrecks, seabirds and history From artists to creators, potters to crafters, through the ages. There’s even a complete there are a host of workshops and galleries to 1877 gig that stretches up through the explore. For an authentic island night out, try museum’s two floors. an evening of and sea shanties, all performed by locals whilst you try a glass of View #myScilly stories online at: island-brewed beer.  visitislesofscilly.com SCILLY BUCKET LIST 2019

Eleven unmissable events and activities on the islands for the year ahead.

WALK SCILLY This 10-day festival from 3rd to 12th April features 40 walks and boat trips across nine islands; the five inhabited islands and four of the uninhabited ones – Samson, St. Helen’s, Tean and Nornour. All are led by the very best of expert guides and local islanders to really bring the treasures and hidden gems of 30TH WORLD PILOT GIG Scilly to life. Energetic island CHAMPIONSHIPS hikes, sunrise strolls, wildlife 2019 promises to be the best discovery tours, food foraging year yet! A festival atmosphere forays, beachcombing, star mixed with a weekend of gig gazing and top to toe rambles. racing in the Atlantic Ocean - You can also catch the autumn what’s not to love? This year Walk Scilly Long Weekend from it takes place on 4th-6th May 10th – 14th for some with over 150 gigs and their bracing sea air and the very crews descending on Scilly for TRESCO ABBEY GARDEN best of the spring programme, an energy-fuelled weekend. Tresco Abbey Garden packed into one exciting is a botanical paradise long weekend. CREATIVE SCILLY planted among the ruins Thirteen days of island whimsy of a Benedictine priory. Its “Over a jam-packed and intrigue from 10th – 22nd incredible 20,000 plant species programme of guided walks, May, with pop-up theatre in have been collected from as Walk Scilly celebrates the very immersive settings, workshops far and wide as New Zealand, best that the Isles of Scilly with local artists and an open Australia, South Africa and have to offer – dark skies, studio trail to explore. Have a South America. Red squirrels delicious food, rich heritage go at stained glass painting, were introduced to the garden and wonderful wildlife – all lino printing or simply sit back in 2013, and it’s also home hosted by local experts.” and enjoy an evening with a to the Valhalla Museum – famous author…this festival is a collection of figureheads Emily Cunningham full of island-wide delights and gathered from shipwrecks Bald Hiker surprises for all the senses. around the islands. SCILLY SWIM CHALLENGE Have a go at traversing the islands in a single day in six swims and six walks at the Scilly Swim Challenge on 25th May. It’s a brilliant way to experience the amazing open water swimming that Scilly has to offer, with an overwhelming ÖTILLÖ SWIMRUN WORLD sense of achievement at the SERIES UK QUALIFIER end. The Scilly Swim Challenge In , Scilly will once again returns in autumn, when host one of world sport’s participants can choose to most daunting challenges: the swim and walk the islands over UK leg of the Ötillö Swimrun one or two days between 7th – World Series, which will see 10th September. 150 teams of two tackling a course of nearly 40km, TAKE TO THE WATER… alternating between running SNORKELLING WITH SEALS and open-water swimming. AND MORE The event takes place on 8th- Scilly Seal Snorkelling gives 9th June, with the winners you a magical opportunity qualifying for a place in the to meet some Atlantic grey Swimrun World Championship seals up close and personal in in Sweden in September. the clear-blue waters off St. Martin’s. These charismatic WILDLIFE WALKS “The atmosphere pre- creatures often let their AND BOAT TRIPS and post-race is one of curiosity get the better of The guided walks and boat familiarity and hugs for them, which means you might trips organised by the Isles those who reach the finish just turn around to find one of Scilly Wildlife Trust offer a and those who don’t… In the gently nibbling your flipper. If onto Scilly’s stunning pre-race briefing, organisers you prefer life at the surface, natural environment. There talk not of conquering but explore the myriad coves and are weekly wildlife safaris in immersing yourself – quite islets by kayak or stand-up summer, taking in seals and literally – in nature.” paddleboard, or get blown seabirds, and regular strolls away on a windsurfing or on the beach delve into the Tom Levitt sailing excursion. intriguing world of rock pools. The Guardian THE TASTE OF SCILLY MARQUE Scilly has an extraordinary array of award- winning producers and foodie entrepreneurs. If you’re out and about on Scilly, look out for the Taste of Scilly marque. This recognises that the produce you’re buying or eating has either been grown or reared, caught or created on the islands.

“Seafood platters are stacked with shellfish just-hoiked out of the Atlantic, followed by bittersweet mouthfuls of - sorbet.”

Rachel Walker Metro

LOW- EVENTS TASTE OF SCILLY Walking between the islands Taste of Scilly, the festival of Tresco and Bryher on that has foodies flocking an extreme spring tide is to the Isles of Scilly, is something every Scillyphile back with a month-long should experience. On 20th celebration of the very April and 1st September, best in food and drink from you can catch a pop-up mini across the islands. Running festival in the channel halfway throughout September, the across, with Tresco salt beef programme is packed with baps and Island Fish paella, events sharing the unique gin and prosecco bars, live low-food miles, slow-food music, stalls and games. culture of the archipelago. Savour pop-up beach CHRISTMAS barbecues, lobster feasts, STREET MARKET foodie masterclasses, farm Join the whole community tours, evening supper boats on the islands for the annual and Taste of Scilly cider and Christmas street market. ale festivals as well as the A festive evening of music, unique island hopping foodie foodie stalls, competitions safari suppers, back by and festive lighting, a popular demand this year. joyous night in the run up to Christmas held on the Friday For more details and a full before the big day each year. listing of events, go to:  visitislesofscilly.com TRAVELLING TO SCILLY

Getting to Scilly by small plane or passenger ferry is all part of the adventure.

You can fly to St. Mary’s with Isles of Scilly Travel from Land’s End, and airports six days a week, Monday to Saturday, and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the Cornish coastline and the archipelago. Skybus departs year-round from Land’s End and Newquay and from to November from Exeter. You are in the air just 20 minutes from Land’s End, 30 minutes from Newquay and one hour from Exeter. National and European connections are available from Newquay and Exeter airports. Or you can opt to travel by boat and head to harbour to board the Scillonian passenger ferry, which sails to Scilly up to seven days a week from March to November, with a journey time of two hours and 45 minutes. Sailing around the Cornish coast offers wonderful views from the deck, and it’s also a great way to spot , with the ferry regularly escorted by pods of dolphins.

For more travel information, visit:  islesofscilly-travel.co.uk

“You can take local bulbs home with you to recreate the peace of the islands in your balcony box. A reminder of a place where – wherever you are standing – you can always see the sea.”

Mariam Ahmed Stylist magazine BOOKING A PRESS TRIP

The Islands’ Partnership (Visit Isles of Scilly) The Visit Isles of Scilly website provides the hosts a limited number of press trips to the definitive guide to the islands: islands each year.  visitislesofscilly.com Skybus flights from Land’s End, Newquay or Exeter airports or tickets on the Scillonian A selection of images can be found on the passenger ferry from Penzance harbour, are Visit Isles of Scilly Flickr account: provided by Isles of Scilly Travel. Travel is Cameraflickr.com/photos/visitislesofscilly/albums complimentary for the journalist and a guest. Decisions on travel discounts for any further Credit the images with either the name of guests are based on the angle of the feature. the photographer or Visit Isles of Scilly. Accommodation on the islands is tailored to the focus of the piece. Travel to and from Scilly is weather-dependent. If needed, we’ll aim to negotiate press train Flights can sometimes be affected by low- tickets from London Paddington with GWR, lying cloud or strong winds. Sailings can also though these are not guaranteed. In addition, be cancelled due to bad weather conditions. we’ll pull together a suggested itinerary for If bad weather is forecast, it may be advisable your stay. to reschedule your press trip. Complimentary travel, accommodation and activities are dependent on mentions in the piece and credits in the fact box. The URL for the visitor information website, visitislesofscilly.com, must also be included in the fact box.

visitislesofscilly Journalists are asked to post on social media @visitIOS during the trip, with links visitislesofscilly to Visit Isles of Scilly.

The Guide 2019

The Guide 2019

YOU CAN VIEW THE The Guide The Guide Guide The

2019

2019 ISLES OF SCILLY 2019 GUIDE HERE

ST. MARY’S TRESCO ST. MARTIN’S BRYHER ST. AGNES

ST. MARY’S TRESCO ST. MARTIN’S BRYHER ST. AGNES