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Travelling to the Isles of Scilly: Scillonian III

Blog· Travel

22 Aug

Travelling to the Isles of Scilly

“Mummy are we going on a boat? Will we see seals? and dolphins? and seahorses?????”

Travelling along the winding roads in Penzance, we headed off to catch our early morning crossing on the Scillonian III. It was breezy and the dark clouds in the sky threatened rain, but energy was high with thoughts of incredible sunsets, wildlife, turquoise waters and white sandy beaches (and seahorses!). We left Otis the Campervan at the designated pre-booked parking and headed off to check in. We would be travelling to the Isles of Scilly for our five day stay at Karma resort in St Martin’s. I already had a feeling that this trip was going to be special and memorable.

The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago off the Coast of Cornwall. There are a vast number of uninhabited islands, and five inhabited islands; St Mary’s, Tresco, St Agnes, Bryher and St Martin’s. You can get to the islands by the four departure points; Exeter, Newquay and Lands End for all Skybus departures, and Penzance if you take the Scillonian III passenger ferry. We chose to take the ferry from Penzance to St Mary’s, taking advantage of the great baggage allowance, with the hope of enjoying those sea views. I was really looking forward to the journey as I think this is the where the adventure begins, and the holiday starts the moment you set off on your journey. We had waited a long time to glimpse those turquoise waters of the Isles of Scilly and we were going to enjoy every part of the experience.


We have wanted to visit the Isles of Scilly for some time, having heard so much about its rugged beauty, sparkling white sandy beaches and laid back way of living. The Scillonian III supports just that – an opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy the slower pace of life… (well relax and unwind as best you can with three little ones in tow!).

The journey takes around 2 hrs and 45 minutes. Once we had checked in our luggage and embarked, we set up camp in the cafe area where we could grab copious amounts of coffee and tea (or wine if it hadn’t been quite so early) and soft drinks and nibbles for the kiddies. There was plenty of space to spread out, and the girls alternated between the table area, and the window seats for an hour or two, before heading out on to the deck to spot those dolphins, sharks, and erm..seahorses.

I think the youngest addition to our family found the excitement a bit too much; either that or the slow and gentle motion of the ferry soothed him to sleep for the majority of the journey – giving us even more of an opportunity to put our feet up and enjoy the views. For those who have young travellers, there is ample space for pushchairs, carriers, a platform lift and baby change available.


On arrival at St Mary’s, we hopped off the Scillonian III and headed around the corner to catch the Voyager, a small passenger boat that would take us onwards to St Martin’s. Travelling to the Isles of Scilly was seamless and organised, and our luggage followed us right through to St Martin’s. It was great that we didn’t have to think about it at St Mary’s, and we had an arm free to enjoy more coffee and the delicious Cornish pasties whilst we waited.

The short journey from St Mary’s to St Martin’s was beautiful and picturesque, and the kids were mesmerised by the coastal views and wildlife. We chatted to so many people on the journey who had fallen in love with the Isles of Scilly, and families who returned each year for some quality family time and to enjoy all that the Islands had to offer.

I could see already that the islands were something really special. As I sat on the boat and looked out to the rugged coastline that was coming into view, I knew that this would be the start of our love affair with this beautiful place.

Find out more –

To find out more about the Isles of Scilly head over to Visit Isles of Scilly

From Spring to late Autumn, the Scillonian III sails up to seven days a week from Penzance harbour. Fly to St Mary’s with Skybus all year round from Newquay and Lands End Airport, and between March and October from Exeter Airport.

For further information, prices, and to book, head over to Isles of Scilly Travel Website 

 

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Travelling to the Isles of Scilly

 

 

**Disclosure – Our journey to the Isles of Scilly was arranged by Isles of Scilly Travel. All opinions and thoughts are of mine and my family. **

Potty Adventures

 

Suitcases and Sandcastles

 

19 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy b says

    August 29, 2017 at 7:15 am

    This review and the details it contains, makes me want to hop on a leisurely boat for a trip to , what sounds like, a beautiful and unspoiled place!❤️

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    August 30, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    Brilliant. Can we share on hhe Visit Isles of Scilly page please? Thanks.

    Reply
    • otisandus says

      August 30, 2017 at 8:38 pm

      Thanks so much I would love you to share ! I have just shared on our Facebook page tonight too. An absolutely wonderful place to visit- we loved every minute x

      Reply
  3. Zena's Suitcase says

    August 31, 2017 at 8:32 am

    It sounds like a great crossing. I would happily take my family on these boats having read about your experience

    Reply
  4. Baby Loves Travel says

    August 31, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    I have never been to the Isles of Scilly – it looks beautiful #FarawayFiles

    Reply
  5. Daisy (Dais Like These) says

    August 31, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    Sounds like you had a smooth and stress free crossing – what a great way to start a family holiday! I loved following your trip online, it looked amazing. #FarawayFiles

    Reply
  6. Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) says

    August 31, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    I’m so happy that you chose to link up your post to #FarawayFiles. I actually had no idea that it was such a long boat trip across to the islands from Penzance. We love arriving by boat. It makes it so much more special and I’m all for making the journey part of the adventure. This looks like the start of a wonderful British adventure. Can’t wait to do it with my family.

    Reply
  7. Cathy (Mummytravels) says

    August 31, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    The islands really are special – we visited a couple of years ago and I completely fell on love with them. We flew from Exeter instead of the ferry, it was wonderful but I would love to try the ferry another time and look for sea creatures myself. #farawayfiles

    Reply
  8. Annette, Four Acorns / Quatre graines de chêne says

    August 31, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    Silly me for thing the isles of Scilly were off Scotland! I would have opted for the ferry crossing too, there is something about slow travel on a boat… although I don’t take well to rough seas!
    #FarawayFiles

    Reply
  9. Lydia C. Lee says

    August 31, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    Looks like a fun way to start a holiday! #Farawayfiles

    Reply
  10. Trish @ Mum's Gone To says

    September 1, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    I have friends who go to the Isles of Scilly every year and I often look at their photos on Facebook and admire them – and yet I’ve still not visited! Plus, with our son at Exeter University these last three years, I’ve missed the chance of a quick flight too!
    #farawayfiles

    Reply
  11. Ashley Beolens says

    September 5, 2017 at 8:53 am

    The Scillonian III looks a tad nicer than last time I travelled on it, I was a regular on the Scillies for years (October), the islands look just as lovely though 🙂 #adventurecalling

    Reply
  12. Erin Gustafson | Oregon Girl Around the World says

    September 6, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    There is so much to Great Britain that I still need to explore – this looks like a brilliant place for a holiday. Anytime I can be out on the water I opt for that experience – thank you for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin

    Reply
  13. Marina says

    September 8, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    I agree about the journey. It is so exciting when you first start off on a trip. I also love ferry rides! I hope the rest of your trip went as smoothly as the ferry ride there.

    Reply
  14. Travelling With Our Kids says

    September 8, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    Our boys love a boat trip. Im sure they would love this to and your pictures make me want to go now! Looks like an amazing place for a family holiday #adventurecalling

    Reply
  15. David - Potty Adventures says

    September 12, 2017 at 8:09 pm

    We’ve often talked about a trip to the Isles of Scilly but have never quite managed to get around to arranging it. Seeing and reading your post makes me want to plan it now. It looks so rugged and naturally beautiful. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling I hope you can again tomorrow.

    Reply
  16. Claire Reynolds says

    September 12, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    This is lovely I really hope you enjoyed your time on St Martins. Your family are very lucky to go there.
    I spent my whole childhood every June and July (8 whole weeks) from the age of 1 through to 21 on St Martins in Mr Goddards Chalets Lower Town and I have the best childhood memories any child could have. We have Viviens Rock, crab mountain, White Island and the famous Seven Stones. My beautiful dog Shimba is buried on Tean. One day I shall take my Son and show him the glorious holidays I had. Enjoy it guys x

    Reply
  17. Lauren The Helpful Hiker says

    September 13, 2017 at 7:52 am

    I love your pictures, the Isles of Scilly look beautiful. I’m glad the travelling was stress free, I agree with you, that’s when the adventure starts. I don’t really know a lot about the Isles so looking forward to reading more of your trip now. Looks like just the place we’d love! Thanks for sharing with us #adventurecalling

    Reply
  18. Nancy | MapandFamily says

    September 16, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    I know families who go back to the Isles of Scilly year after year! Looking forward to reading more about your stay there 🙂

    Reply

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Fairy lights dotted around a
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🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages a
🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages asking “where do you all sleep” and where did your toddler or baby  sleep in the camper ?

We bought our #t5 when our eldest was just 2, and we have had to adapt as our family has grown. We didn’t have the roof converted until much later so we tried a fair few sleeping options! 

I thought It might be helpful if I listed all of the sleeping options we have tried in our vwT5 because I often get questions about sleeping options with young kids.

⭐️Our new born baby slept in a sleepyhead in the camper as it was easily transportable and worked as  crib.

⭐️ We then found a deluxe travel cot that fit perfectly at the base of our rib bed and this worked from about 6 months 

⭐️We then moved on to a toddler inflatable air bed placed again at the bottom of our bed. We  found the toddler beds fit perfectly across the width of the van 

⭐️moving on we purchased a hammock that fitted over just the driver and passenger seat  and this worked great from about 3+

⭐️ Finally as our family grew... We  had our pop top roof added and the children slept well in the roof. We had a safety net fitted to the opening  of the roof and this allowed all our children to sleep in the roof safely and gave us some peace of mind - particularly as our son was young.

I’ve linked my post in my stories but do let me know if you have tried any other options that work for young children, particularly if you don’t have an elevating roof! Always here if I can help with anything or if you have any questions.

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A vintage rainbow 🌈

Mucho love tonight - hope
A vintage rainbow 🌈 

Mucho love tonight - hope you are all doing okay x


💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫

💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 

Just popping on to wish all of you a Happy New Year 💕

Here we are .... Still hanging out in tier 4, (but hey I have three lovely days off 🤩) we have all got this🙌🏻

For now I’m going to keep dreaming, planning, doing a bit of vanlife shopping and redesigning our campervan 😂 (so if any of you lovely vanlife peeps can share and tag me in a picture of your interiors I would be eternally grateful). 

Hey I may even get this dissertation done 🤣

If it’s okay I’ll keep sharing the little bits in between, and of course our van life tips and tricks over the new year, until we can explore once again. 

Thanks for sticking with us - happy new year to my faves, lots of love and stay safe 

The Otis and Us tribe xxx


🌲 And that’s me signing off for Christmas. 🌲 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some sunshine, plans, adventures and a glimmer of hope. 

To all my lovely friends, family and wonderful vanlife peeps, thanks so much for all the love and support this year. 

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New year from Otis and Us xxx

Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing fram
Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing frame, and so grateful to have this wonderful play area in our garden for the kids since the lockdown number two. 

It’s my last day of annual leave today. So we have spent the afternoon adding a few fairy lights to the MultiFlyer climbing frame - sprinkling a bit of magic and festive cheer out in the garden....

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Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟 Fairy lights dotted around a Ad🌟Top Tip 🌟

Fairy lights  dotted around a climbing frame
 
= A few more extra hours outside over the winter months 

Add in a flurry of snow ....

#1000hoursoutside 

#wickeyadventure #wickeyplaytime #lockdown3
🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐 I often get messages a 🚐Vanlife with kids 🚐

I often get messages asking “where do you all sleep” and where did your toddler or baby  sleep in the camper ?

We bought our #t5 when our eldest was just 2, and we have had to adapt as our family has grown. We didn’t have the roof converted until much later so we tried a fair few sleeping options! 

I thought It might be helpful if I listed all of the sleeping options we have tried in our vwT5 because I often get questions about sleeping options with young kids.

⭐️Our new born baby slept in a sleepyhead in the camper as it was easily transportable and worked as  crib.

⭐️ We then found a deluxe travel cot that fit perfectly at the base of our rib bed and this worked from about 6 months 

⭐️We then moved on to a toddler inflatable air bed placed again at the bottom of our bed. We  found the toddler beds fit perfectly across the width of the van 

⭐️moving on we purchased a hammock that fitted over just the driver and passenger seat  and this worked great from about 3+

⭐️ Finally as our family grew... We  had our pop top roof added and the children slept well in the roof. We had a safety net fitted to the opening  of the roof and this allowed all our children to sleep in the roof safely and gave us some peace of mind - particularly as our son was young.

I’ve linked my post in my stories but do let me know if you have tried any other options that work for young children, particularly if you don’t have an elevating roof! Always here if I can help with anything or if you have any questions.

🌈
A vintage rainbow 🌈 Mucho love tonight - hope A vintage rainbow 🌈 

Mucho love tonight - hope you are all doing okay x
💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 💫Still one of my most favourite captures 💫 

Just popping on to wish all of you a Happy New Year 💕

Here we are .... Still hanging out in tier 4, (but hey I have three lovely days off 🤩) we have all got this🙌🏻

For now I’m going to keep dreaming, planning, doing a bit of vanlife shopping and redesigning our campervan 😂 (so if any of you lovely vanlife peeps can share and tag me in a picture of your interiors I would be eternally grateful). 

Hey I may even get this dissertation done 🤣

If it’s okay I’ll keep sharing the little bits in between, and of course our van life tips and tricks over the new year, until we can explore once again. 

Thanks for sticking with us - happy new year to my faves, lots of love and stay safe 

The Otis and Us tribe xxx
🌲 And that’s me signing off for Christmas. 🌲 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some sunshine, plans, adventures and a glimmer of hope. 

To all my lovely friends, family and wonderful vanlife peeps, thanks so much for all the love and support this year. 

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New year from Otis and Us xxx
Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing fram Ad / We are still loving our @wickey climbing frame, and so grateful to have this wonderful play area in our garden for the kids since the lockdown number two. 

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Moving on to the the camper next :) it definitely needs some fairy lights and a tree - Don’t you think? 🌲 

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