How much does it cost?

From £2,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,376 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this tour escorted?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the 9 days.

What is included for meals?

Breakfast and dinner are provided each day. Lunch is not included, giving you freedom to explore local restaurants and cafes.

Are there free days to explore independently?

Yes. Day 5 is completely free; you can explore at your own pace or take optional ferries to other islands. Day 8 is also free.

What is the physical activity level?

The tour includes a full-day guided walking tour of St Mary's (with an option to join half-day only) and walking on other islands. Most activity is moderate walking; boat transfers do the heavy lifting between islands.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

The Sensational Isles of Scilly

Nine-day Isles of Scilly island escape from London Paddington in First Class

Great Rail Journeys' Sensational Isles of Scilly is a 9-day escorted tour that balances rail comfort with island exploration. You depart London Paddington in First Class, travel through the West Country to Cornwall, then ferry to St Mary's, the largest of the Isles of Scilly. Your base for seven nights is a 3 or 4-star hotel in Hugh Town, the island's main town. Days mix guided experiences and free exploration: a walking tour of St Mary's through cobbled Old Town streets with Georgian and Victorian granite houses; a boat trip to Tresco Abbey Garden, where 2,000 subtropical plants from around the world flourish around a ruined Benedictine Abbey; and island visits to St Agnes (the southwesternmost isle, 3,000 miles from America) and St Martin's, known for its clear waters and sandy beaches. You have full days at leisure to wander beaches, spot seals and dolphins, or visit galleries and shops. Return home via flight to Land's End and First Class train from Penzance to London. All breakfasts, dinners, transfers and guided tours are included. The tour runs in April, May, June, July, August and September 2027.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £300 since 4 Jul, to £2,499.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Single room supplement is GBP 1,000 (roughly 36% above half the double room price), which is substantial
The final day includes a flight from St Mary's to Land's End followed by a coach journey to Penzance and First Class train back to London; this replaces a direct ferry return
St Mary's Hall Hotel or The Atlantic Inn options are listed for the seven-night stay; your final hotel depends on availability and tour tier

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Bodmin Jail Hotel, Cornwall
By First Class rail to Cornwall
The holiday begins at London Paddington, welcomed by the Tour Manager in the First Class lounge before boarding the midday train to Bodmin in First Class. On arrival, transfer by coach to the four-star Bodmin Jail Hotel, an 18th-century jail tastefully renovated with modern comfort. In the early evening, descend into the original jail for a guided tour and immersive exhibition, followed by dinner in the restaurant.
Day 2overnight: Hugh Town, St Mary's
A scenic crossing from Penzance to St Mary's
After an early breakfast, transfer by coach to Penzance to join the ferry to the Isles of Scilly, sailing along the Cornish coastline past Land's End. On arrival at St Mary's, transfer to Hugh Town and check in to the central townhouse hotel for seven nights. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore Hugh Town's shops, churches, pubs, museum and beaches.
Day 3overnight: Hugh Town, St Mary's
Discovering the hidden gems of St Mary's Island
A full-day guided walking tour of St Mary's (or half-day option), through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, visiting the church where Sir Harold Wilson is buried, and hearing about Harry's Walls and the Lower Moors nature trail.
Day 4overnight: Hugh Town, St Mary's
Tresco Abbey Garden, a botanical paradise
A short walk to the harbour for a boat trip to Tresco's Abbey Garden, with free entry included for a full day. Built around a ruined Benedictine Abbey, the garden holds around 2,000 subtropical plants, red squirrels, golden pheasants and sculptures; the Valhalla Figurehead Museum is also nearby.
Day 5overnight: Hugh Town, St Mary's
A free day in Hugh Town
A day at leisure to explore the Scilly Isles at your own pace - options include a ferry to Bryher, visiting Star Castle, or strolling Hugh Town's beaches, galleries and cafes.
Day 6overnight: Hugh Town, St Mary's
Experiencing the wild beauty of St Agnes
A boat trip to St Agnes, the most south-westerly of the Scilly islands, with panoramic views, Bronze Age burial sites and the Bishop Rock lighthouse, plus local galleries, pubs and cafes.
Day 7overnight: Hugh Town, St Mary's
Exploring the serene island of St Martin's
A boat trip to St Martin's for a choice of snorkelling, beachcombing or relaxing on some of the best beaches in Europe, plus local arts, crafts, pubs and tearooms.
Day 8overnight: Hugh Town, St Mary's
A final day in St Mary's
A last free day on St Mary's - options include a beach stroll, a boat trip to spot seals and dolphins, coastline walks, or visiting an archaeological site, followed by a final dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Day 9rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Land's End, then drive back to Penzance station. Time in Penzance for lunch independently, before boarding the First Class train to London Paddington, where the holiday concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Board the midday train at London Paddington in the First Class lounge and travel through rural West Country and into Cornwall's wild landscapes
Day 2Ferry from Penzance along the Cornish coastline with views of rugged cliffs and the Land's End peninsula, arriving at St Mary's
Day 3Guided walking tour of St Mary's through cobbled streets of the Old Town, past quaint cottages and Georgian and Victorian granite houses
Day 4Boat trip to Tresco Abbey Garden, a 19th-century garden around a ruined Benedictine Abbey with 2,000 subtropical plants from Brazil, Myanmar, South Africa and New Zealand
Day 6Boat journey to St Agnes, the most south-westerly Scilly island with views of Bishop Rock lighthouse and 3,000 miles of Atlantic Ocean to America

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
8 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
First Class rail travel
All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
Flight from St Mary's to Land's End
Breakfast and dinner each day
Group luggage transfers between all hotels
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,376 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this tour escorted?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the 9 days.
What is included for meals?: Breakfast and dinner are provided each day. Lunch is not included, giving you freedom to explore local restaurants and cafes.
Are there free days to explore independently?: Yes. Day 5 is completely free; you can explore at your own pace or take optional ferries to other islands. Day 8 is also free.
What is the physical activity level?: The tour includes a full-day guided walking tour of St Mary's (with an option to join half-day only) and walking on other islands. Most activity is moderate walking; boat transfers do the heavy lifting between islands.