Why ‘Britain’s Caribbean’ is destined to become the new holiday destination by 2026

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Cheers, boys and girls!

We at Travel Off Path are at it again, scouring the world for the most underrated destinations that are sure to blow your mind.

When it comes to Britain, the last thing most Americans would consider is packing sunscreen and swimwear, while the most common route involves exploring timeless architecture, classic pubs and iconic sights we’ve all seen on screen at some point.

But there is indeed a remote region of Britain with a ‘Caribbean’ feel that’s become much easier to achieve, so your next adventure across the pond doesn’t have to be a one-off bank account zapper in London.

It’s true, you can now enjoy vibrant blue waters, sunny skies and beautiful beachfront hotels in one of Britain’s least known destinations that even some Brits couldn’t pinpoint on a map.

According to Time-outthe Isles of Scilly are destined to become Britain’s new holiday hotspot, as more and more travelers venture beyond their old favorites in favor of more adventure, fewer crowds and a wealth of surprises that even travel guides might miss.

Don’t be an A Scilly Goose! Visit Britain’s unsuspecting beach paradise

First of all: Isles of Scilly is pronounced “SILL-ee“Think less Liam Neeson, more silly goose.

Whether you pronounce it correctly or not, the bottom line is that this shiny blue oasis no longer has its time to shine.

Located approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Cornwall, perhaps Britain’s most recognizable beach destination to date, these island paradises are made up of 140 different islands, of which only 5 are inhabited:

• St Mary’s (main junction)
• Tresco
• Sint Maarten
• Saint Agnes
• Bryher

Unless you just really want some peace and quiet in the middle of nowhere, St Mary’s is the only island you should make a plan for.

Don’t worry: we’ll get into which beaches you should visit, but first you need to know that this isn’t just a place to sit back and waste away all day.

There is a surprising amount to discover in St. Mary’s. For example, the site of 1500 BC Porth Hellick Down is an absolute must-see for those who have similar sights like Stonehenge on their bucket list.

But some attractions are even more immersive, like the critically acclaimed ones Star castle hotel.

As you might have guessed, it’s a bona fide 16th-century castle that you can stay in, and it also offers unparalleled sweeping sea views. And there are plenty of other wonderful places to stay to choose from too.

The warmest British destination

Travelers often book trips based on reputation. Since no one seems to pay attention to the weather reports anymore (sorry, Al Roker), many might believe that the entire United Kingdom is living up to its gloomy reputation.

But that’s not true when it comes to the Isles of Scilly.

TimeOut claims it’s the perfect place to ‘enjoy Britain’s warmest weather’, making it a perfect addition to a London holiday.

Instead of packing long sleeves and fuzzy socks for the entire trip, throw on swimwear for a few days of fun in the sun where you might least expect it.

In London, the weather still hovers between the low 40s and high 50s throughout the spring, while St Mary and the surrounding islands experience sunnier weather of 60 to 60 degrees daily.

In fact, whatever nightmare spring break scenario you’re imagining (ahem, Panama City…) should be the exact opposite of what you’re imagining here, as the Isles of Scilly tourism board claims. more than 35 secluded beaches for your pleasure.

Many have beautiful turquoise water and even white sand, like the Caribbean. But which one is the best?

According to TripAdvisorthe experts have spoken. Travelers’ favorite is Porthcressa Beachwith a near-perfect rating and rave reviews, such as one summer beachgoer claiming: “It’s the most amazing place – my favorite holiday destination of the past 25+ years!”.

Easier to reach than ever

We don’t often report on domestic flights in Europe. However, as the obvious way to reach Britain is via well-connected London, we had to share why we believe the Isles of Scilly are Britain’s new hotspot, and it all comes down to its new accessibility.

From March 2026, instead of making a multi-stop journey by train and boat, travelers can from London Gatwick (LGW) to St Mary’s Airport (ISC) in just about 3 hours with a single ticket on Skybus.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.