Flying Boat Cottages

Rooms

The Flying Boat Cottages comprise 12 beachfront houses (sleeping 6-10); most have 3 bedrooms. All are fabulous and we think calling them cottages is a bit mean: they're far from cramped. All face the bay and neighbouring island of Bryher. We were completely sold on being able to wander down our steps and be on the beach in seconds. Half of them have cedar wood cladding with lofty "A" frame roofs which gives a New England appearance; the rest have rough cast exteriors, giving a more traditional look, and with lower ceilings a slightly cosier feel. See links at bottom for details of the different options.

Inside they're all of similar style: extremely well-equipped kitchens and oak floors downstairs. Upstairs you'll tread on 40oz carpets and Designer's Guild cushions and curtains splash some vibrant colour (perhaps too much for some). 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 second and third smaller bedrooms face inland; each has twin beds that can be zipped together. Some houses have a downstairs snug/TV room with a sofabed for two; the rest have a separate dining room instead.

For summer there's a dining terrace and a small patch of lawn. In cooler months there's a log burning fire to keep you warm and snug (plus wall heaters which are charged according to usage). If you want to keep connected, each house has flat screen digital/satellite TVs and free WiFi.

Bathrooms are more functional than designer: spotless bathtubs, strong showers and lots of fluffy white towels. A small selection of toiletries are provided and they now provide bathrobes and beach towels.
Your choice of house may depend on the changeover day which varies (see below).

Accommodation Details

Wood-clad Beach Houses for 6 (changeover day)
Seaflower (Friday)
Garland (Friday)
Friendship (Thursday)
Fearless (Tuesday)
Phoenix (Tuesday)
Pegasus (Wednesday)
Click here for more details and photos

Rough Cast Beach Cottages for 6-8 (changeover day)
Flora (Monday)
Sophie (Monday)
Gem (Saturday)
Sunbeam (Saturday)
Click here for more details and photos

Larger FBC Cottages for 8+ (changeover day)
Endeavour (8-9) (Wednesday)
Colossus (8-10) (Thursday)
Click here for more details and photos

For more cottages on Tresco with a Saturday changeover day see the Sea Garden Cottages on the other side of the island.

Features include:

• Microwave
• 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 'Nigella' 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 large fridge's crushed ice maker invaluable. And there's plenty of room to eat either in the dining room or on the terrace.

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) 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 Club Cafe is next door; open for breakfasts and light lunches you can also stock buy croissants from the counter or snacks to take a way if you want to dash for a picnic. There's an outdoor terrace with tables resembling a ship's bough from where you can gaze out to Bryher. Pop in for coffee or a tasty crab sandwich with fresh sourdough at lunch. 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, Ruin Beach Cafe has more of a Mediterranean focus, including delicious wood-fired pizzas, and a stunning seaside location (15-minute walk or 5-minute cycle ride).

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). All are under the same ownership as the FBC.

Features include:

• Children's meals
• Microwave
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Hire a bike and cycle around the island (there's a hire shop just beside Tresco Stores). No need to fret about locking your bike up - no-one will steal it here
  
• Wander along the beaches - there's half a dozen to choose from and usually these are empty with white sand, pretty shells and crystal clear water. Pentle Bay is considered one of the best beaches in the UK. We also love the one just below the Blockhouse
  
• Visit the famous Tresco Abbey Garden. Created in 1834, it features a unique collection of sub-tropical plants from around the world. Entrance is free to Flying Boat Club members
  
• Visit the Abbey Garden Valhalla exhibition the best collection of ships' figureheads in the world, mostly taken from wrecks found in the Scilly Isles dating back centuries
  
• Walk the 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 view
  
• Unwind at the Flying Boat Club's Spa: enjoy the indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna (free of charge) or book a treatment (additional charge)
• Take some sailing, kayaking or windsurfing lessons at the sailing club on the other side of the island (July and August). 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 showing at the Gallery Tresco 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. Boat trips run daily or you can hire a private launch
  
• All members of the Flying Boat Club are entitled to play golf at The Isles of Scilly Golf Club on St Mary's for free
  
• Watch the sunset from your terrace

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• 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, Extra Beds 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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