Wildlife & Walking on the Isles of Scilly | May 2026

Fitness & Practicalities

The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.

Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.

It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.

We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.

Tour specific fitness information

A very good level of overall fitness is required for this tour. Participants must be able to walk for a minimum of four miles over rough ground, and be comfortable with getting in and out of small boats. Most of the walking will be on level or slightly hilly terrain, although there will be occasional steep stretches. The majority of walks – which will be taken at a reasonable pace – will be on tracks, which may include rocky areas/stretches interspersed with rocks, or sections interrupted by tree roots, rather than roads or paths. Participants should also be aware that the weather and climate can be unpredictable at times, and bring appropriate clothing (detailed guidance will be issued ahead of departure). Boat trips can be choppy; they are typically 20-30 minutes in duration but can be up to 2 hours long. Please consult our fitness requirements as detailed in our Booking Terms & Conditions for more information, and we strongly advise you to discuss the conditions on this tour with our Sales team ahead of booking.

Minimum fitness requirements

 As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:

• Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
• Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
• Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
• Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
• Carry or otherwise move your own luggage

Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.

Day 1

Check in for seven nights at St Mary’s Hall Hotel. 1715 welcome and introduction.

Day 2

By ferry across St Mary’s Sound to St Agnes (superb maritime heath) and Gugh (spectacular coastline walks).

Day 3

By charter boat to Eastern Isles (cobble bars linking small isles, undisturbed coastal and heath vegetation, seals, birds) with visit (sea conditions dependent) to island of St Helen’s: remains of St Elid’s hermitage (8th century chapel), 18th century Pest House.

Day 4

By charter boat to Western Rocks (seals, coastal birds) and Samson (largest of uninhabited isles with abandoned village) – sea and weather conditions permitting.

Day 5

By ferry to Bryher: superb coastal vegetation (search for rare dwarf pansies) and heather moorland on Shipman Head Down with visits to prehistoric entrance graves and promontory fort.

Day 6

St Mary’s: walk (wetland birdlife and coastal vegetation) to Bant’s Carn (Bronze Age burial chamber), Halangy Down (Iron Age settlement), Holy Vale, Higher Moors and Porth Hellick Down (Bronze Age grave and burial chamber). Return along coastal path over Salakee Down to Old Town and church.

Day 7

Morning: excursion by ferry to Tresco Abbey Garden (sub-tropical gardens). Afternoon free in St Mary’s or optional walk on Castle Down, Tresco.

Day 8

Tour disperses after breakfast at the hotel.