Here can be found a fine collection of subtropical and exotic plants growing with a luxuriance unknown elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Apart from plants obtained from Kew Gardens, ship´s captains and Scillonian master mariners were encouraged to bring back seedlings from distant lands and in the warm air and rich grounds of Tresco, tree ferns from New Zealand, proteas and aloes from South Africa, acacias and eucalyptus from Australia soon took root and flourished in the magnificent garden. Tresco has two freshwater pools - the Abbey Pool and the Great Pool - and both attract birds such as Dunlins, Plovers and ducks such as Mallard and Teal. In the autumn, rare migrants can often be spotted.
Beyond the garden, along the southward and eastern shoreline are some of the Island´s magnificant beaches, and it is here that the visitor can find countless shells, amongst the silky, quartz-coloured sands. Tresco is rich with evocative names such as Appletree Bay, Tobaccoman´s Point and Racket Town. In the Shipwreck Museum at Valhalla in the Abbey Garden, are the poignant and beautiful figureheads and sternplates from some of the many wrecks around the island. The collection of nearly 60 relics includes brass signal guns, bronze cannons and magnificently restored busts and namaplates.
Tresco is served by a year-round helicopter link with Penzanze and has a sub-post office and general store, two hotels, self-catering and time-share cottages and an Anglican Church.
Contact
Tresco Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Centre Hugh Town St Mary's (PO Box) TR21 0LL Isles of Scilly Great Britain
