Tresco brings together botanical highlights, traces of different eras and paths through the landscape. At Tresco Abbey Garden, subtropical plant collections meet the ruins of a Benedictine abbey. Historic fortifications, birdwatching and coastal stretches offer other points of interest. You can shape your time around the topics that interest you most.
Garden culture and Benedictine ruins
Tresco Abbey Garden was created in the 19th century by Augustus Smith around the ruins of a Benedictine abbey. The Priory’s history goes back further: Benedictine monks settled there from 1120; its ruins are now in the garden. The plant collection also includes plants from all Mediterranean climate zones. A network of paths leads through the subtropical plant collections. The gardens, plants and ruins thus bring botanical and historical themes together in one place.
Another feature is the Valhalla Collection at Tresco Abbey Garden. It comprises around 30 ship figureheads, as well as nameplates and decorative carvings from the age of sail. Its maritime focus distinguishes the collection from the plantings and ruins: here, objects from seafaring history take centre stage.
Historic traces in the landscape
Old Blockhouse was built in the 16th century to protect Old Grimsby Harbour. It can only be reached on foot; from Old Grimsby, a 20-minute walk through pleasant lanes leads there. This gives you a clear point of reference for your visit and sets this historic site apart from an attraction directly connected with the garden.
King Charles' Castle was part of a series of fortifications built on the Isles of Scilly between 1548 and 1554 in response to a threat from France. Prehistoric field systems are also still visible in Tresco’s landscape. Taken together, these traces reveal different historical layers: from the field systems and the Benedictines at the Priory to the 16th-century fortifications.
Gallery Tresco is housed in a converted pilot gig shed on the shore of New Grimsby Harbour and displays art by artists from Cornwall. If you plan a visit, check the opening hours in advance.
Birdwatching, paths and coast
There are two birdwatching hides on Tresco. The freshwater pools Abbey Pool and Great Pool offer good opportunities to spot waders, ducks and herons. These named pools and hides give the nature experience a clear focus, while a network of footpaths and sandy tracks crosses the landscape.
The beaches also differ in their location and description. Pentle Bay is a long, unbroken beach in the southeast of Tresco. Gimble Porth is on the footpath north of Old Grimsby. These details help you distinguish between the two coastal destinations without combining them into a single route.
Planning walks and activities
There is no public transport on Tresco; visitors should walk to and from Tresco Abbey Garden. Take this into account when planning your way around, and check routes and arrival points before travelling. The network of footpaths and sandy tracks crosses Tresco, but access to the specific places mentioned here varies.
At Ravensporth Beach, Hut 62 Tresco rents out motorboats, daysailers, dinghies, kayaks and SUPs. It opens seasonally, and booking conditions may change. Check them before planning the activity.
Day visitors can rent bicycles at the Bike Hire Shed on arrival, subject to availability. Opening hours and availability may also change, so check both in advance. During your stay, you can choose between footpaths, a possible bicycle rental and the watersports equipment on offer, without assuming they will currently be available.
Discover more destinations: Hugh Town, St. Mary’s.
For the main travel overview: Isles of Scilly.
