Rooms

The Flying Boat Cottages comprise 12 contemporary beachfront houses (sleeping 6-10); most with 3 bedrooms. Colossus is the largest with 4 double/twin bedrooms (3 on the first floor and 1 on the second floor) plus a downstairs snug with 2 sofabeds. It's ideal for multi-generational families and groups of friends but cosy enough for a smaller family. All are fabulous and we think calling them cottages is a bit mean: they're far from cramped with large open plan living areas. All face west to the bay and neighbouring island of Bryher. We were completely sold on being able to step down directly from our terrace to an unspoilt beach.

Inside they're all of similar style: extremely well-equipped kitchens and oak floors downstairs. Furnishings are regularly updated with high-end designer fabrics so everything looks fresh and bright. Original paintings are showcased throughout courtesy of the Dorrien-Smith collection and many are by acclaimed contemporary artists renowned for capturing Cornwall and the Islands. The Master Bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to a balcony with stunning sea views. The third and fourth smaller bedrooms face inland; each has twin beds that can be zipped together to make a double.

For summer there's a dining terrace and a small patch of lawn with a couple of loungers. In cooler months there's a log burning stove to keep you warm and snug. If you want to keep connected, each house has large flat screen satellite televisions and Smart TV, a bluetooth Robert's radio and free WiFi.

Bathrooms are more functional than designer: spotless bathtubs, strong showers, lots of fluffy white towels and divine smelling 100 Acres shampoo and body wash. Bathrobes and pool towels are also provided.

Note: changeover day for Colossus is Thursday.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Iron
• WiFi

Eating

Self-catering: your kitchen is amazingly well equipped with a range-style cooker, microwave, big fridge-freezer, dishwasher, stylish Sophie Conran Portmerion crockery and lots of pots and pans, as well as cleaning pack and barbecue. The array of baking equipment might just bring out the 'Mary Berry' in you. Order fresh lobster or crab from the local fishermen and you'll even find special stick forks for eating them. For evening cocktails we found the fridge's crushed ice maker invaluable. And there's plenty of room to eat with dining and terrace tables for 10.

Food shopping: Don't worry about not being able to carry enough provisions with you, the Tresco Stores has an excellent selection of essentials as well as a deli, lots of local produce (including Tresco beef), a wide range of Cook readymade meals and a decent selection of wines and beers. Think mini "Wholefoods Market" rather than your local Spar. Being so cut off, prices will be a little dearer than the mainland, but not excessively so. Ring up before and they'll stock your fridge prior to your arrival.

Eating out: it may be self-catering, but you don't have to do any cooking: the laid-back and comfortable Flying Boat Cafe and Deli is next door, open Tuesday-Saturday for coffee, brunch and light lunches. Sit out on the terrace with a bacon brioche bap or a Cornish Yarg and truffle toastie, gazing out to Bryher. Packed with locals and nautical memorabilia, The New Inn (5-minute walk, open all year round) serves fine ales and good pub grub. On the other side of the island (15-minute walk or 5-minute cycle ride), the Ruin Beach Cafe has more of a Mediterranean focus, including delicious wood-fired pizzas, sharing platters and cocktails inspired by the Abbey Gardens, plus a stunning seaside location.

Further afield: Take a 5-10 minute boat ride to neighbouring Bryher island. The hotel restaurant at Hell Bay (open late-March to October) is great for a light lunch or evening fine dining (special dinner boats go across a couple of evenings a week). A trip to their Crab Shack is always a highlight for us - grab an apron and tuck into freshly caught crab steamed in copper pans with garlic butter. All are under the same ownership as Tresco.

Features include:

• Bar
• Barbecue
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Kids' meals
• Meal delivery service
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Shopping service
• Toaster

Activities

• Hire a bike and cycle around the island (there's a hire shop just behind the cottages). No need to fret about locking your bike up - no-one will steal it here
  
• Picnic on some of the UK's best beaches - there's half a dozen to choose from with white sand, pretty shells, crystal clear water and barely another soul. Our favourites are Appletree Bay and the beach just below the Blockhouse
  
• Visit the famous Tresco Abbey Garden (free to Flying Boat Cottage guests). Created in 1834, it features a unique collection of sub-tropical plants from around the world, a shell grotto and a collection of centuries-old ship’ figureheads.
  
• Walk the rugged coastal path north to Cromwell's 17th-century castle (built to guard anchorage between Bryher and Tresco). Further up the hill, you’ll find King Charles Castle and fabulous views
  
• Unwind at the Tresco Island Spa: enjoy the indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and gym (free of charge) or book a spa treatment by organic brand Ila
  
• Take some sailing lessons at the Tresco Sailing Centre on the other side of the island. Dinghies, kayaks, paddleboards and small motorboats can also be hired. The main local spectator sport is gig-racing.
  
• Play tennis at the astro-turf courts beside the spa (balls and rackets can be provided), check out who's exhibiting at Gallery Tresco, pop into the Lucy Tania boutique or birdwatch from the hide overlooking the Great Pool (in October, migratory birds visit the islands)
  
• Explore the 5 other inhabited Scilly islands: St Mary's (the main island), Bryher, St Martin's and St Agnes. There are also over 100 uninhabited islands (many are just small rocks) - some are home to seal and seabird sanctuaries. Wildlife and regular boat trips run daily.
  
• All guests of the Flying Boat Cottages are entitled to play golf at The Isles of Scilly Golf Club on St Mary's for free
  
• Finally, don't miss sunset from your terrace

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Sailing
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Well being
• Windsurfing

Kids

Say hello to freedom! With no cars and the great outdoors to explore, this is heaven for kids. Hire children's bikes and helmets from the bike shop and let them go. Older kids can join the sailing club in summer and island hop in small yachts, and if it's raining, the heated indoor pool is ideal.

The island's sole shop Tresco Stores is just behind the cottages and stocks baby and toddler essentials (nappies, wipes, Calpol, suncream, buckets and spades, balls, baby food), though you might want to check in advance about preferred brands of formula.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Take your pick - they're all good. Most houses have 3 double/twin bedrooms, some also have a sofabed in a small TV room which would be good for children. Larger families opt for Colossus (sleeps 8-10) or Endeavour (sleeps 8-9), each with 4 double/twin rooms and a sofa bed. See Rooms.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 20 minutes away on St Mary's
• Helipad: on Tresco
• Doctor: trained first aiders on Tresco. St Mary's has a small hospital, 2 GPs and ambulance boat (also emergency helicopter service to the mainland)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Isles of Scilly are located 28 miles south west off the tip of Cornwall. Getting here is part of the fun! The most popular route is by air (from Exeter, Newquay or Lands End) or ferry from Penzance, which is about 5 1/2 hours by train from London. Please note there are no flights or ferry crossings to the islands on Sundays.

Tresco is car-free and most people get around the island on foot or by bicycle. Tractors and trailers transport luggage and the less mobile can hire a golf cart for the duration of their stay.

By Air - Fixed-wing or helicopter:
There are regular fixed-wing Skybus flights from Newquay, Exeter and Land's End. It's a fun flight with great views over the Cornish coastline (unless you get bad weather) but as the planes only seat 8 or 16 take note that baggage space is limited (eg. hand luggage is limited to a small handbag/camera etc). A 15-minute helicopter service also operates between Penzance and St Mary's or to Tresco. See Penzance Helicopters for all flight times and online booking. From St Mary's airport there's a taxi-bus shuttle service down to the quay, where Tresco Estate will arrange a boat transfer to the island of Tresco which takes 15-20 minutes. Once on Tresco, a tractor with trailer will take your luggage to your cottage. At every stage of the journey on the islands, guests will be assisted by Tresco Estate staff or contractors.

Note flights can be delayed or cancelled due to fog or high winds. If all flights are cancelled on one day you can either spend an extra night on the islands and fly the next day (subject to availability) or they can transfer your ticket to the ferry for the same day. We recommend that you keep your travel times flexible (ie. don't arrange an important meeting on the day of your return!).

By Ferry
Sailings on the Scillionian III depart Penzance mostly in the mornings to the main island of St Mary's - it usually takes 2 hrs 40 minutes. See Isles of Scilly Travel for sail times and online booking. Tresco Estate can arrange a boat transfer from St Mary's to the island of Tresco which takes 15-20 minutes. Once on Tresco, a tractor with trailer will take your luggage to your cottage.

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