Tresco Abbey Garden

The Garden Island on the Scilly Isles. Extensive parkland on the island of Tresco. Entrance fees are reasonable by English standards.The Tresco Abbey Garden on the Scilly Isle of Tresco was created in the 19th century by Augustus Smith around the ruins of a former Benedictine abbey. Here, 48 km off the coast of Cornwall, an astounding 20,000 plants flourish. These come from every Mediterranean climate zone in the world – from Brazil to New Zealand and from Burma to South Africa.The face of the garden changes throughout the year. In spring, the flowers bloom weeks before those on the mainland, and in autumn, the seasonal red, gold, and amber leaves contrast with the magnificent proteas, aloes, and camellias. Even at the winter solstice, more than 300 plant species are usually in bloom.The Walhalla Museum within the garden houses shipwrecked figureheads collected from throughout the Isles of Scilly and now part of the National Maritime Collection.

The subtropical 16 acre gardens are located on the island of Tresco, which is part of the Isles of Scilly, and gives home to plant species from 80 different countries. Red squirrels can be spotted scampering around the trees. Open daily from 10am to 4pm, tea room with free wi-fi attached to the gardens.

Beautiful ancient gardens laid out by Augustus Smith, Lord Proprietor of the Scillys, next to his stately home in the 19th century. Today the garden is home to over 2000 species of tropical and subtropical plants.