The Wild Flowers & Gardens of the Isles of Scilly

Tour Code: GBR23

An 8-day tour to discover the wild flowers and gardens of the Isles of Scilly.

8 days from
£1,695 (Inc ferry)
Land only price from
£1,575
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Isles of Scilly are a world apart, an island paradise with sparkling turquoise seas and deserted white sandy beaches lapped by gentle tides under a cloudless sky. Everywhere is within walking distance or just a short boat ride away. Small fields with high hedges are awash with wild flowers and even the stone walls are colonised by an abundance of interesting plants. The famous exotic flora of the islands owes much to the Tresco Abbey Garden, the once flourishing cut flower industry, and their escapes, as well as the benign climate and the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. However, the Isles of Scilly have a unique flora in their own right with plants of a Lusitanian and Mediterranean origin. Orange Bird’s-foot (Ornithopus pinnatus), Least Adder’s-tongue Fern (Ophioglossum lusitanicum) and Dwarf Pansy (Viola kitaibeliana) do not occur on mainland Britain. Others such as Small-flowered Catchfly (Silene gallica), Four-leaved Allseed (Polycarpon tetraphyllum), and Small-flowered Tree-mallow (Lavetera cretica) are found elsewhere but are never as abundant as they are in Scilly. This tour will explore all five of the inhabited islands and admire the vast range of flora they have to offer, both within Tresco Gardens and in the wild.

  • Stunning island scenery
  • Outstanding flora containing many rare species
  • Leisurely paced tour visiting all five inhabited islands by boat
  • World-famous Tresco Abbey Gardens with its collection of exotic tropical plants
  • Grey Seals
  • Abundant birdlife including chance of rare migrants
  • Unique Scillonian way of life
  • Led by expert naturalist guide

Grading

Day walks of varying duration, (all of which are optional).
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DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Meet at Penzance; sail to St Mary's
Day 2/7
Natural history excursions on St Mary's, St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco and St Martin's
Day 8
Morning excursion before afternoon return to Penzance
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Ferries
  • Accommodation: Comfortable guest house, all rooms with private facilities.
  • Food:

    Breakfast included in holiday price only; allow approximately £30 per day for lunches and evening meals.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 6th May – Tue 13th May SPACES £1,695
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,575
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!