The Scillies
After only a few hours in the Scillies, I wondered whether Hell Bay Hotel had been so named to prevent it being flooded with visitors once word got out about how wonderful a place it is to stay. For this hotel on the tiny island of Bryher, located in a secluded cove, is in reality a rather heavenly hideaway.
Named after a nearby notorious black spot for shipwrecks in days gone by, the hotel has only 25 suites housed in various buildings. Each has a bedroom, sitting room, en suite bathroom, patio or balcony, and most have lovely sea views.
You can breathe in plenty of fresh air as you sit around the outdoor heated swimming pool, and there’s a gym, sauna and spa bath, games room and children’s play area, too. There’s even a nine-hole golf course.
Activities including sailing, windsurfinng, fishing and scuba diving can be arranged, and spa treatments are available three days a week.
Further afield, there are beaches and coastal paths, along which to take refreshing walks, or stroll to Bryher shop and gallery for arts and crafts. Do spend at least half a day at glorious Tresco Abbey Gardens. Opened in the 1830s, the gardens are packed with extraordinarily exotic trees and plants from 80 countries, with stunning foliage and flowers. Look out for the red squirrels given sanctuary here, too. There’s also a fascinating collection of figureheads from wrecked ships, housed in the Valhalla Museum.
Left: Tresco Abbey Gardens. Right: Hell Bay Hotel on Bryher
Have lunch at the renowned Ruin Inn Beach Café – the spicy crab linguine is delicious – then take the boat back in time for cocktails at sunset. Hell Bay has a private mini-terrace you can claim for yourselves by raising a flag.
The bay has a great restaurant where you will eat well and it has just launched the Crab Shack. Twice a week, a refurbished cowshed becomes a fun venue where head chef Richard Kearsley cooks up succulent scallops, mussels, massive fresh crabs, all served with tasty fries and a choice of creamy sauce.
You’re given a big apron and tools to fish out all the flesh, and chilled white wine or local cider helps everyone to chat and make friends.
Book in advance because the venue is reasonably priced and very popular. Six juicy scallops cost £9.50, a bowl of mussels, £12, and a monster crab, £30.
Skybus ies to St Mary’s from Exeter, Newquay or Land’s End from £135 per person return. Isles of Scilly Travel: 0845-710 5555, www.ios-travel.co.uk
First Great Western runs train services direct from London Paddington to Penzance (for Land’s End Airport): 0345-700 0125, www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
Prices correct at time of going to press.
Named after a nearby notorious black spot for shipwrecks in days gone by, the hotel has only 25 suites housed in various buildings. Each has a bedroom, sitting room, en suite bathroom, patio or balcony, and most have lovely sea views.
You can breathe in plenty of fresh air as you sit around the outdoor heated swimming pool, and there’s a gym, sauna and spa bath, games room and children’s play area, too. There’s even a nine-hole golf course.
Activities including sailing, windsurfinng, fishing and scuba diving can be arranged, and spa treatments are available three days a week.
Further afield, there are beaches and coastal paths, along which to take refreshing walks, or stroll to Bryher shop and gallery for arts and crafts. Do spend at least half a day at glorious Tresco Abbey Gardens. Opened in the 1830s, the gardens are packed with extraordinarily exotic trees and plants from 80 countries, with stunning foliage and flowers. Look out for the red squirrels given sanctuary here, too. There’s also a fascinating collection of figureheads from wrecked ships, housed in the Valhalla Museum.
Left: Tresco Abbey Gardens. Right: Hell Bay Hotel on BryherHave lunch at the renowned Ruin Inn Beach Café – the spicy crab linguine is delicious – then take the boat back in time for cocktails at sunset. Hell Bay has a private mini-terrace you can claim for yourselves by raising a flag.
The bay has a great restaurant where you will eat well and it has just launched the Crab Shack. Twice a week, a refurbished cowshed becomes a fun venue where head chef Richard Kearsley cooks up succulent scallops, mussels, massive fresh crabs, all served with tasty fries and a choice of creamy sauce.
You’re given a big apron and tools to fish out all the flesh, and chilled white wine or local cider helps everyone to chat and make friends.
Book in advance because the venue is reasonably priced and very popular. Six juicy scallops cost £9.50, a bowl of mussels, £12, and a monster crab, £30.
GETTING THERE
Suites at Hell Bay start from £135 per person per night, including half board and boat transfers: 01720-422947, www.hellbay.co.ukSkybus ies to St Mary’s from Exeter, Newquay or Land’s End from £135 per person return. Isles of Scilly Travel: 0845-710 5555, www.ios-travel.co.uk
First Great Western runs train services direct from London Paddington to Penzance (for Land’s End Airport): 0345-700 0125, www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
Prices correct at time of going to press.