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.