Isles of Scillies- SOLD OUT

Take to the magical Isles of Scillies, a collection of small islands 30 miles off the Cornish mainland, for a retreat of knitting where craft intertwines with the essence of exploration. Delve into immersive workshops, learn more about natural fibre and traditional Cornish knitting, embark on strolls along the shoreline of these unique islands, and indulge in the embrace of the sea with perhaps a cold water dip. Join fellow crafters in a community bound by creativity and camaraderie.

Is this the retreat for you?

Our goal is to create a fun, creative, fulfilling and inclusive space for knitters and crafters to enjoy. This is a retreat for people who want to spend time enjoying their craft but also want to get outside and explore. We expect you to join us on hikes of about 5-8km or more, jump into island to island boats to visit the different islands, and maybe even a sea swim! There will be plenty of time to sit and knit, but we are also going to be getting up and active.

With a 4-night stay on the island of St Mary’s including food and beverage, a goodie bag, workshops and island tours, how is this sounding so far? Well, this could be right for you!

Inclusivity is one of our core values. As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we want to welcome all adult men, women, trans and non-binary knitters. We are creating a retreat and space for those who wish to get out and explore, bring their knitting, and learn more about farm to fibre.

Fancy taking a cool winter dip in the Cornish sea? We will delve into immersive workshops and learn about natural fibre and traditional Cornish knitting. We will stroll along coastal paths in the company of like-minded people, returning to the house for a cup of tea and cake.

If this sounds like a retreat for you, then we look forward to welcoming you next March.

What is included?

As part of the retreat there will be a workshop discovering the traditions of Cornish heritage knitting and patterns, as well as day visits to the other islands, walks, dinner, breakfast, drinks and other workshops.

For a list of FAQs, click the link below or visit the retreats page on our website.

How active is the retreat?

We will be getting up and active, as well as having plenty of downtime for working on your own personal projects around the workshops. But this is “a knitting retreat like no other” after all, which means lots of knitting as well as strapping on your hiking boots and hitting the muddy (hopefully not too muddy) trails around the magical white sand islands! We will jump on board to smaller island to island boats to explore some of the individual islands for all they have to offer.

Though some of these activities are optional, we would like to encourage a group of like-minded people who are keen to take part in the whole experience. Many of the isles do not have cars so walking is often the only means to travel. So please do ask yourself if this is the right retreat for you, and we are always here to answer any questions you might have before booking your ticket.

How to get to the Scillies ?

You must arrange your own travel to and from the Isles of Scillies but do not worry we are here to help! Infact if you get the boat Anton will meet you in Penzance friday morning but fell free to contact Anton to help you with your travel plans . anton@rawwoolcompany.co.uk

You can book your transport to the Scillies on the "Isles Of Scilly Travel" website.

2027 schedule is yet to be listed but should be added by the end of this year or early next year. It is normally around £150-250 for a return via the Scillonian.

 https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk

There are two means to get to the Scillies either via water or air. We recommend you book onto the famous Scillonian which departs in the morning from Penzance Harbour. If you are coming over on the Scillonian on Friday morning you will meet Anton at Penzance Harbour. The crossing takes approx 3/ 3 and half hours to the Isles of Scillies and into St Mary's. You must be on time for the boat and do book your crossing with plenty of time in advance as it can book up quickly, the boat will not wait. The passanger boat has a café and you can enjoy views from either on deck or below. Every crossing Anton has been on he has seen dolphins and even once basking sharks!

The crossing can sometimes be bumpy so sea sickness preparation is advisable if you suffer or you may wish to arrange transport by flying- by plane or helicopter. If you travel by air please arrive to St Mary's not Tresco.

Details you can find at https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk

David and Emily will already be on St Mary's to greet you when you arrive.

What will our schedule be?

Day 1 Friday – Arrival & Welcome

Anton will meet you at Penzance Harbour to accompany you on the Scillonian boat that will take us across to the island of St Mary’s (transport by air is also an option) this crossing takes about 3 and half hours. Once we arrive, we will have the day to quietly relax and get settled in. We will get to know each other over dinner served at the house and spend the evening doing some relaxed knitting before a good night’s rest to prepare for the days ahead.

Day 2 Saturday – St Mary’s

We will start the day with breakfast, after which we will explore the island of St Mary’s with a hike and soak up the magical atmosphere of the Scillies. We will have lunch with a view and then head back to the house for a workshop led by Anton, deep diving into all things fibre.

In the early evening we will have a Happy Hour before dinner, which will include a themed cocktail or mocktail. Dinner will be served at the house, after which you will be able to relax and knit into the evening.

Day 3 Sunday – St Agnes

We will hop onto a water taxi for a short ride to the island of St Agnes. We will explore the rugged landscape of "Gugh" and seek out some very special ice cream and lunch. We will learn about the nautical history of the Isles and gather inspiration to take back later for our Gansey workshop.

Back at the house on St Mary’s, Anton will lead you in a Gansey workshop where you will discover the history, techniques and means to design and knit your very own Cornish Gansey. We will have another Happy Hour followed by dinner.

Day 4 Monday– Tresco

Today we will pop across to the stunning island of Tresco where we will visit the beautiful Tresco Abbey Gardens, famous for its semi-tropical collection of plants. We will enjoy the scenery of the island, looking across the bright blue lagoon towards the other islands, and seek out a pub or farm shop for lunch .

Day 5 Tuesday – St Mary’s. Departures & Goodbyes

Our last day on the isles, we will stay on St Mary’s and the morning is yours to soak up the island, seek out local makers’ boxes, shops. We will say our goodbyes after breakfast and you will sail away with your heart full of the magic the Isles of Scillies has to offer.

T&C's. Please note deposits are non refundable. Final payments will be due the Tuesday 4th of Aug 2026 and sent to you in a payment link. If you can’t attend the event, please get in touch. Refunds on Tickets can be refunded no later than Tuesday 1 Sep 2026, Tickets bought after this date are non-refundable. Tickets are non-transferable. You must make your own travel arrangements to and from the venue. Part of the retreat is walking and the challenge of tackling different terrains, landscapes and weather conditions. We will also be boarding small boats to take us island to island. We that you are confident entering and exiting these boats as well as enduring the crossing. Every effort is made to minimise potential hazards; however, walking involves a certain level of unavoidable risk of accident and/or injury. By taking part in this activity, you are aware of and accept these risks. This retreat is for people across all identities, especially those from underrepresented communities. With this we expect people to respect one another and you will be asked to leave the event if your behaviour is unacceptable. In the event your travel is cancled or delayed please referr to your travel providers terms and conditions and consider taking our your own travel insurance for the trip. We will not be able to refund your ticket due to travel disturbance. The retreat may still proceed even if travel to or from the Isles of Scilly is disrupted, delayed, or altered. In such circumstances, retreat fees will remain payable and are non-refundable except where required by law. Travel to and from the Isles of Scilly is provided by third-party transport operators and is subject to weather, sea conditions, operational requirements, and other circumstances beyond our control.

Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from the retreat, including any associated accommodation, parking, transfers, or additional costs incurred as a result of travel delays, cancellations, or changes. In the event that flights, ferries, inter-island boats, or other transport services are delayed, cancelled, or altered, Raw Wool Company cannot accept responsibility for any resulting costs, losses, inconvenience, missed connections, accommodation expenses, or changes to travel plans.

We strongly recommend that all participants take out suitable travel insurance that covers travel disruption, cancellation, curtailment, and any additional accommodation or transport costs.

No refund of retreat fees will be given where a participant is unable to attend, arrives late, leaves early, or misses any part of the retreat due to travel disruption outside our control.

Also see our FAQ on the retreats main page or get in touch if you have any questions.