Make your escape to the Isles of Scilly

Turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, tropical plants and a balmy Mediterranean climate. Nope, it’s not southern Europe – but the Isles of Scilly. Located 30 miles (48 km) off the south-west tip of Cornwall, this set of tiny islands are like something out of an Enid Blyton book. There are no main roads, making cars a rarity – and, even more exciting: they’re awash with untouched natural landscape and lots of wildlife, creating the ideal antidote for nine-to-five stress.

Down on the beaches the sea is clear and shallow, making them ideal getting up- close and personal with the little fish that flit about near the shore. And once you’ve had enough of that, how about exploring the islands by bike, boat or on foot? Phew!

A couple of things we definitely recommend are the 17-acre Tresco Abbey Gardens (take a relaxing stroll among tropical blooms) and a boat trip to spot the dolphins, basking sharks and porpoises that hang out off the coast. Who knows, you might even see a turtle…