If the start date to your holiday is more than six weeks away, we require a 30% deposit, in addition to the booking fee, to secure your reservation.

If the start date to your holiday is fewer than six weeks away, we require the full amount, plus the booking fee, to secure your reservation.

Please note that deposits are non-refundable.

The balance payment must be made no later than six weeks before the commencement of occupancy.

We will contact you, usually by email, to remind you when the payment is due.

We accept payment in pounds sterling only and there are three ways to pay:

1) Bank transfer from the UK or from abroad. Details will be supplied as part of the booking process.

2) Debit card by phone. We also accept some credit cards - please specify your card provider at the time of booking. 

3) Cheque payable to 'Scilly Self Catering'.

Any request to cancel a booking must be made in writing - either by post or email.

The booking fee and deposit will be retained.

We will then make every effort to re-let the accommodation and, if successful, either the balance of the cost will not be due, or if it has already been paid, it will be refunded.

Your can travel to the Isles of Scilly by air or sea.

You can fly Skybus to St Mary's from Land's End and Newquay all year round, and from Exeter during the summer months.

Flights from Land's End take 15-20 minutes, flights from Newquay take approximately 30 minutes and flights from Exeter take one hour.

You can sail on Scillonian III from Penzance to St Mary's between March and October. The crossing lasts approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Flights are also available by helicopter from Penzance to St Mary's with Penzance Helicopters 

You can also make your own way by private boat or aircraft.

For more information about moorings contact St Mary's Harbour.

For more information about landing fees contact the Council of the Isles of Scilly who are the operators of St Mary's airport.

Travel to the Isles of Scilly is not ideal for wheelchair users or anyone with very limited mobility.

That does not make it impossible - just very difficult.

Skybus operate small aircraft so you will need to be able to board and disembark without ramped access.

There is ramped access available on Scillonian III but once on Scilly, owing to tides, you will also need to be able to negotiate steps on a quay if you wish to visit the islands beyond St Mary's.

Golf Cart Hire is available to get around from the Scilly Cart Co on 01720 422121. 

Mobility Scooters & Electric Trikes are available from St Mary's Bike Hire on 07552994709 or www.stmarysbikehire.co.uk

If you have any concerns regarding mobility on the Isles of Scilly, please let us know before you commit to a booking.

When travelling on Skybus or Scillonian III, you will need a valid proof of identity.

Children aged 15 and under do not need identification when accompanied by an adult.

You will require at least one form of photographic ID from this list:

• Passport
• Photographic driving licence
• Citizen card
• Bus pass issued by your local council
• Armed Forces or Police identity card

Scillonian III carries foot passengers only.

When travelling to Scilly by boat from Penzance, we recommend either Scilly Parking or the IOS Parking Company.

Secure parking is available at Land’s End Airport, which we can arrange on your behalf when booking your flights.

Please visit the websites for Exeter and Newquay airports for detailed information on parking facilities.

We hire cots with a bottom sheet and duvet cover, high chairs, bed guards and stair gates.

These items can be ordered when you book online, or at any time before you arrive on the Scilly Linen page of our website.
www.scillyselfcatering.com/LinenStandard

The major benefit hiring these items from Scilly Self Catering is that it allows you to maximise your luggage allowance on the boat or aircraft.

Dogs are welcome on the Isles of Scilly and you can sail from Penzance with up to two dogs per adult.

You can fly with your dogs from Land's End and Newquay airports. Skybus will provide an RSPCA approved crate measuring 90cm x 60cm x 60cm, which is suitable for one large or two small dogs.

For more information and prices, or to enquire about other types of pet, please visit the Isles of Scilly Travel website.

Please also be aware that dogs are not permitted on Porthcressa, Porthmellon and Old Town beaches between 1st May and 30th September.

We do not supply equipment for dogs but you can hire whatever you need, such as crates, beds, blankets, bowls etc, from Creature Comforts.

Contact Rhiannon Manning on 07887 950987 or email rhi90@hotmail.com.

Skybus provides a shuttle service from Penzance Station to Land’s End airport, which can be booked and paid for when booking your flights.

Penzance quay is a short walk from the station, but if you have heavy luggage and require assistance you will find a taxi rank immediately outside the station with cars waiting to meet every train.

Newquay railway station is about five miles from the airport and there are usually taxis waiting outside. The A5 bus service also runs between Newquay town centre and the airport.

Exeter St David’s Station is also about five miles from the airport. You will need to take a taxi or a No.56 bus to the airport. Taxis are usually waiting outside the railway station but you can book in advance online.

Two items of hold luggage are allowed, up to a maximum combined weight of 25kg per passenger.

Passengers may use a joint allowance, but no single item should weigh more than 20kg.

Maximum size of hold luggage is 85cm x 60cm x 40cm.

You may also bring one small bag as hand luggage, up to a maximum weight of 5kg.

Maximum size of hand luggage is 40cm x 55cm x 20cm.

You may also bring items such as bicycles, boats, musical instruments, fishing rods and windsurfing equipment, but these must be booked as hold luggage.

If you are in any doubt about an item you would like to take on board the boat, or are concerned about excess luggage, more information is available on the Isles of Scilly Travel website.

Two items of hold luggage are allowed, up to a maximum combined weight of 15kg per passenger.

Passengers may use a joint allowance but no single item should weigh more than 20kg.

Maximum size of hold luggage is 50cm x 30cm x 75cm.

You may also bring a small bag as cabin luggage, up to a maximum weight of 3kg.

Maximum size of cabin luggage is 30cm x 15cm x 15cm.

If you are in any doubt about an item you would like to take on board the aircraft, or are concerned about excess luggage, more information is available on the Isles of Scilly Travel website.

In the event of bad weather, Skybus require you to check in as normal. This is so as many people as possible can be accommodated on each aircraft when flying resumes.

If the weather has not improved by the early afternoon, Skybus may offer you a transfer to Scillonian III, in which case they will transport you by road from the airport to either Penzance or St Mary’s quay.

Air passengers leaving St Mary’s by boat will be transported by road to the appropriate airport so they can collect their car.

If you cannot fly because of technical problems, Skybus will arrange for a new aircraft to take you to your destination as soon as possible.

More information on travel delays and cancellations is available on the Isles of Scilly Travel website.

This is an extremely rare occurrence and, in such circumstances, you will be contacted by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company who will advise you on your options.

More information on travel delays and cancellations is available on the Isles of Scilly Travel website.

We do not provide travel insurance.

We do recommend that you obtain cover as you would for a typical holiday abroad.

Isles of Scilly Travel, who operate Skybus and Scillonian III, provide a range of insurance packages.

More information is available on their website.

When you arrive at St. Mary’s Airport, drivers from Island Transfers will be waiting to greet you and take you anywhere on the island.

When you reach your accommodation, the driver will make arrangements for your return airport transfer.

This is usually made for one hour before your flight time.

2023 rates are £11 per adult return, £6 per adult one way and £5.50 per child return. Under 4's are free of charge.

When travelling by Scillonian III, you can find directions to your holiday home on this website.

Go to the dedicated page for your holiday home and either refer to the Google map or download and print the information sheet which contains a map and written directions from the quay to the door.

Most accommodation is within walking distance of the quay but if you do require a taxi we recommend you book it in advance.

Local taxis include

DJ Cabs 01720 423775 - Dwayne & Jeanette Ware

Toots Taxi 01720 422142 - Paul & Sam Mallon

If you are travelling by air, drivers from Island Transfer will be happy to assist with your luggage.

Boat passengers do not have to wait to collect their luggage.

Local haulier Island Carriers meet Scillonian III daily and deliver all clearly labelled luggage anywhere on St Mary's for a charge of £2.50 per item. A note will be left with details of how to pay.

A return service can be booked in person at the Island Carriers office or by calling 01720 422662.

All accommodation is available for occupancy from 4pm.

If you plan to arrive earlier, please let us know as we may be able to arrange for you to leave your luggage after 11.00am on the premises while they are being prepared.

The keys to your holiday home will either be in the front door lock, or inside on the kitchen or dining table.

All bed linen and one bath towel and one hand towel per person is supplied.

If you are staying for more than one week, a change of bed linen and towels will be delivered on the regular changeover day.

Tea Towels are also provided.

We do not supply beach towels.

Our entire holiday home portfolio comprises self-catering accommodation only, which means you will need to bring your own provisions.

Owners are not required to leave any supermarket items on the premises although some choose to leave a small selection of essentials, such as toilet rolls or cleaning products.

Your accommodation will be equipped with crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils.

Some owners also choose to provide a welcome pack but this is left entirely at their discretion.

Please note that there is a small number of holiday homes where electricity is provided via a coin meter. This is clearly stated, where applicable, in the individual pages of the Holiday Homes section of our website.

Self Catering accommodation is not serviced accommodation, so it will not be cleaned during your stay.

It will, of course, be cleaned prior to your arrival, and on your departure, ready for the next guests.

Traditional Scillonian cottages ooze charm and character but many were built before the exacting standards of current building legislation.

Some granite buildings, for example, pre-date the standard installation of damp proof courses and cavity insulation.

Bathrooms and kitchens have in some cases been imaginatively designed and placed in buildings where before there were none. They are of course fitted to modern standards and subject to regular safety checks.

While we make every effort to ensure our holiday homes are of the required standard to meet our customer’s expectations, damp patches may occasionally appear, especially after a long wet winter or through condensation if windows have not been left open to allow air to circulate.

Please also bear in mind that many traditional cottage features may include low ceilings with beams, steep stairs, or uneven tiled floors.

If you feel that anything could present a problem for a member of your party, please let us know in advance so we can help you to find more suitable accommodation.

Most do, but not all, so you will need to check the facilities for your chosen holiday home.

An enclosed garden means that walls, hedges and fences surround the garden.

This does not necessarily mean that the garden can contain dogs or children. Smaller dogs may be able to escape through a hedge or under a gate and larger children may be able to climb over a fence.

If you require further information about a particular garden, or are concerned if it is suitable for your pets or children, please let us know before you book.

Refunds and discounts will not be given after you have occupied the premises.

Guests are obliged to vacate their holiday home no later than 10:00am on the day of departure.

This allows us sufficient time to prepare the accommodation for the next arrivals at 4:00pm.