Britain’s best island, according to Condé Nast Traveller

Picture this: white sand beaches, turquoise seas and more than a hundred wild islets dotting the horizon. No, we’re not talking about some far off tropical land, we’re actually talking about an archipelago right here in the UK.

Yep, as it turns out, Blighty has its very own island paradise in the form of the Isles of Scilly, and they’ve just been voted the best island(s) in the UK for the second year running. 

Every annum, Condé Nast Traveller surveys its readers to discover their favourite holiday destinations. Along with categories selecting the top spas and stand out ski resorts, the luxury travel mag also asks its readers about the best islands in each region around the world. 

Barbados took home the glory for the Caribbean and the Atlantic in 2026, Palawan in the Philippines won for Asia and Hydra in Greece took home gold in Europe. With more than 4,000 islands peppering UK shores, the publication also dedicates a prize to the best of the best around Britain.

The Isles of Scilly, located 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, was crowned victorious, having been named the best British Isle in 2025, too. It beat second place-holder Guernsey to the punch, followed by the Isle of Arran in Scotland, which completed the podium trio. 

The archipelago is no stranger to accolades, either. In 2023 it was named among the best places to visit in the world by EnjoyTravel.com. Plus, St Agnes, one of its larger land masses, was named among the quietest in the UK for a staycay by the Telegraph. Exotic shores and some proper peace and quiet? We’re sold.

Did you see that a remote Welsh beach has been crowned the best in the UK?

Plus: the UK is one of the world’s top countries for tourism in 2026.