Autumn in the Isles of Scilly Tuesday 7th - Monday 13th September 2021
A warm Scillonian welcome awaits you on The Isles of Scilly, a small, beautiful archipelago, geographically close to mainland Britain, yet in a world of its own. White sandy beaches, big skies, azure seas, peace and tranquillity are right here on the edge of the Atlantic. Relax and take time to discover the island’s unique flora and fauna. Whether you are a sailor, a walker, a birdwatcher, an artist, a connoisseur of sunsets, a lover of good food and real ale or someone who simply appreciates stunningly beautiful and ever- changing seascapes, then Scilly is for you.
The Atlantic Hotel A friendly and informal hotel in the heart of St Mary’s overlooking the sea, the Atlantic combine’s old-world charm with all the amenities of the present day. All en-suite bedrooms are beautifully appointed, comfortably furnished and equipped with every facility. The Tides Reach Restaurant, where a full English breakfast and evening meal will be served every day, is quite simply unique; dining here is akin to dining aboard a luxury liner, while the Ocean Bar, serving great ales, wines and spirits, enjoys a spectacular panorama across the harbour and beyond. With a relaxing lounge and roof terrace garden, the Atlantic Hotel ensures an unforgettable stay.
Tuesday 7th September – Day 1 We depart the Nottingham area early this morning and make our way to Lands End airport, with comfort and refreshment breaks en-route. At the airport following check in, we board our Skybus for the short flight to St Mary’s. NB: The maximum permissible weight for luggage aboard the plane is 15kgs per person. On arrival we are met by local buses and transferred to The Atlantic Hotel, located in Hugh Town on the waterfront with impressive views across the harbour. This evening we are greeted by our hosts with a welcome drink before dinner.
Whilst on the Isles of Scilly, we have a full programme for your enjoyment, this can be affected by many island elements, it may not necessarily be in the order listed below and cancellations can occur at short notice due to adverse weather conditions and tides.
Day 2,3,4,5,6 There will be 2 free days, with optional tours available on St Mary’s, the largest of all the islands and although only two and a half miles by one and three quarters, there are between thirty and forty miles of coastal path and nature trails to explore.
Sharpes of Nottingham, Unit 6, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HP Tel: 0115 989 4466 | [email protected] | www.sharpesofnottingham.com
Hugh Town, the small, thriving capital of The Scillies nestles on an isthmus between two beautiful bays, with the granite garden walls fairly sagging under the weight of flowering, succulent plants. Take a stroll down the main street where you will find all the local services, the shops, the bank, cafes, restaurants and the two pubs. You will notice the pace of life here is different; more relaxed, from the moment you stand on the quayside, you can start to feel the pressures of everyday life start to melt away. Discover the nearby, Isles of Scilly Museum, full of curiosities, pictures and finds from shipwrecks, giving you a glimpse of daily life on Scilly from Roman times to the present day. A walking tour of St Marys is highly recommended beginning with the Old Town where you will find the tiny church and the fascinating graveyard dominated by an extravagant memorial to Augustus Smith, founder of the Abbey Gardens and also the burial place of former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. If you would like a walking-tour local expert offer guided tours of the island’s abundant nature, archaeology and bird life, while the Tourist Information Centre on Porthcressa Beach can give you maps, guides and friendly advice. If walking is not for you in just 75 minutes, the Island Rover will introduce you to the highlights of St. Mary’s with a full commentary, giving you a local’s perspective. Boat trips are also available to other Islands such as Bryher and Samson.
We take a cruise for full day guided tour of the extraordinary island of Tresco and visit the world-famous Abbey Gardens, known as “Kew with the roof off”. The vast terraced Abbey garden is bursting with plants from the Mediterranean and dry regions of the world, as the climate here is a perfect place for their growth. (Weather and tides permitting) A full day guided tour on the island of St Martin’s, the island guards the north eastern perimeter of the Isles of Scilly with its crescent shaped slopes and virtually untamed coastline. The opposite side of St Martins is
snugly sheltered by the central high ground and a contrasting patchwork of small fields, which are home to cattle, goats, ducks and geese, commercially grown flowers and even a vineyard. The glorious beaches are visible from many of the other islands, the Great Bay being the most perfect beach in all the Scillies. Birdwatchers here have seen such rarities as a pair of Nightjars, a buff breasted Sandpiper, two White Storks and many other rare species of birds. OR: A full day guided tour to the peaceful island of St Agnes, where you will find time really does stand still. This small community live a traditional island life, farming, growing flowers, fishing and caring for visitors, many who return year after year. (Weather and tides permitting)
Sharpes of Nottingham, Unit 6, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HP Tel: 0115 989 4466 | [email protected] | www.sharpesofnottingham.com
A full day guided tour on St Mary’s, including the old town and Peninnis Head. The church and the fascinating graveyard are dominated by an extravagant memorial to Augustus Smith, founder of The Abbey Gardens and the burial place of former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
Monday 13th September - Day 7 Sadly, we leave St Mary’s this morning and are transferred by local buses to the airport for our return flight to Land’s End. NB: The maximum permissible weight for luggage aboard the plane is 15 Kilos per person. On arrival and following airport formalities, we board our coach for the return journey home, arriving in the Nottingham area in the evening, with comfort and refreshment breaks en-route.
Tour includes: Door to door taxi, executive return coach travel with hostess service to Land’s End airport, return Skybus flights, local bus to hotel/ Airport return transfers, 6 nights dinner, bed and full English breakfasts at The Atlantic Hotel, guided walking tours of St Mary’s, Tresco and the Abbey Gardens, St Agnes or St Martins including boat trips and entrance fees.
Tour costs from: £1175.00 per person Single supplement: £150.00 Sea View supplement: £10 per person per night Deposit: £180.00 per person Please note: Deposit includes insurance for flight cancellations due to adverse weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control. An overnight stay with half board accommodation will be arranged for you. If these circumstances do not arise a refund of £80.00 will be returned.
NB - Clients wishing to book this tour must be aware of the following facts There are no lifts and one ground floor room for less abled in the Atlantic Hotel. Walking around the islands can be strenuous and access to and from the off-island boats may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. However, walks of about a mile, mostly on level ground with breaks at local hostelries for optional lunches, are usually the programme for the day. Good walking shoes and waterproofs are essential.
Please note: All guided tours are subject to local tides and weather conditions and may be changed or even cancelled at short notice. Sharpes of Nottingham cannot be held responsible for these issues therefore no monetary refunds can be made in these circumstances.
PLEASE NOTE: The above itinerary may be subject to change – terms and conditions are available on request and we recommend that as our clients you take out insurance against any eventuality, medical or otherwise on all our holidays on booking. “Sharpes of Nottingham” are members of the Bonded Coach Holiday Group of the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK Ltd. This is a government approved consumer protection scheme. This ensures that in relation to the coach package holidays described in this brochure (or website) that the clients' monies are protected by a Bond which may be called upon in the unlikely event of the Member’s Insolvency. Clients are recommended to inspect the current membership certificate at our registered office or alternatively go to www.bch-uk.org or telephone 0207 240 3131 to confirm current membership. Your attention is also drawn to the Bonded Coach Holiday Group Trading Charter that will apply to these coach package holidays. All Coach Holidays within this publication are subject to the Bonded Coach Holiday Group Trading Charter. A copy of the Trading Charter will be issued with all booking confirmations. Alternatively, either request a copy of the Trading Charter from the head office or view online at Sharpes of Nottingham Website.
Sharpes of Nottingham, Unit 6, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HP Tel: 0115 989 4466 | [email protected] | www.sharpesofnottingham.com