More peaceful than anywhere on mainland Britain, the Isles of Scilly embrace five inhabited islands and dozens of rocky outcrops.
The archipelago’s singular maritime micro-climate endows this Atlantic haven with great botanical interest: with over 350 days of the year warm enough for plant growth, flora from the Canaries, South Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand flourish across the islands.
We will enjoy boat trips to the larger islands and, weather permitting, to some of the more remote outcrops, from the Western Rocks, on the very edge of the archipelago, to Samson, the largest of the uninhabited isles. A particular highlight will be Bryher, the smallest community on the Isles of Scilly: the west and north coasts are wild and rugged with superb coastal vegetation and wind-pruned “waves” of heather; the east, sheltered and mild, flourishes with exotic vegetation. A visit to the famous sub-tropical gardens on Tresco will further demonstrate the wealth of flora that prospers when shelter is available.
Our tour will also trace man’s influence on Scilly with visits to the Bronze Age burial mound at Bant’s Carn, the ancient Iron Age village of Halangy Down, and the imposing Bronze Age entrance graves at Porth Hellick Down.
We stay throughout at the three-star St Mary’s Hall Hotel on St Mary’s, an elegant town house originally built for an Italian noble family.
Date: May 15 – 22, 2010 |
Cost: £1390 |
Lecturer: Roland Randall |
Course Code: ISCY10 |
Itinerary
Day 1 Depart Penzance 1730 by helicopter, arriving St Mary’s 1800. Transfer to St Mary’s Hall Hotel for seven nights. Evening: Sherry reception followed by introductory talk.
Day 2 By ferry across St Mary’s Sound to St Agnes (superb maritime heath on Wingletang Down) and Gugh (spectacular coastline walks, rugged Dropnose Porth, Gugh Bar).
Day 3 Nature walk (wetland birdlife and coastal vegetation) to Bant’s Carn (Bronze Age burial mound), Halangy Down (Iron Age settlement overlooking sea), Holy Vale, Higher Moors, Porth Hellick Down (Bronze Age grave and burial chamber). Afternoon: along coastal path over Salakee Down to St Mary’s old town.
Day 4 By boat to Western Rocks (seals, coastal birds) and Samson (largest of the uninhabited isles with deserted village and entrance graves).
Day 5 By boat to Bryher: superb coastal vegetation (search for rare dwarf pansies) and heather on Shipman Head Down with visits to pre-historic entrance graves, field systems and promontory fort.
Day 6 By boat to Eastern Isles (cobble bars linking small isles, undisturbed coastal and heath vegetation, seals, birds) with visit to uninhabited island of St Helen’s: remains of St Elid’s hermitage (with 8th century chapel), pest house (built in 1764 to house diseased sailors returning to England).
Day 7 Morning: excursion to sub-tropical gardens of Tresco. Afternoon free in St Mary’s.
Day 8 Return by helicopter 0920 from St Mary's, arriving Penzance 0950.
Cost
Cost of £1390 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, drinks reception, breakfast & dinner, excursions & admissions.*
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £200.
*For EH sites, free access on production of EH card; non EH members are required to pay admission charge.