Tresco Abbey English Gardens

English Gardens

Like a cross between Kew Gardens and the Amazonian jungle, Tresco Gardens is a botanical English gardens wonderland, with feathery ferns, tall palms and spreading succulents. The sheltered conditions on English gardens in Tresco, aided by wind-and salt-tolerant Monterey pines and cypresses, have created a sympathetic home for this oasis of some 20,000 plants from 80 countries! These range from spider plants to brilliant flame trees, aromatic myrtle plants to brilliant flame trees, aromatic myrtle and yellow-flowering acacias. The English gardens are scarcely less exuberant in winter when over 60 aloe plants, as well as yuccas from Mexico and Australia banksias, are in full bloom.

Tresco Gardens were founded by Augustus Smith, a key figure in the history of the archipelago, who took over the lease for the islands in 1834. Known as “Emperor Smith of Scilly,” he laid the first beds among the abbey ruins after settling on the island. Four generations of his family, up to Robert and Lucy Dorrien-Smith who now run the estate, have continued his work.

Top 10 Features of Tresco Abbey English Gardens

1. The English Gardens Plants
2. Valhalla
3. Visitor Centre
4. The Abbey Buildings
5. The Mediterranean Garden
6. The Long Walk
7. The Top Terrace
8. Statuary
9. Magnificent Views
10. Neptune Steps

The English Gardens Plans

Visiting Tresco’s English gardens is like making a horticultural world tour. You will see flowered echiums from Canary Islands, silver trees from South Africa, wine palms from Chile and spiky agaves from Mexico.

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: Valhalla

This exhibition of figure-heads and pieces recovered from shipwrecks around the islands makes an interesting slideshow. The collection, started by Augustus Smith, is named after the mythological Norse palace where the souls of slain heroes feast eternally.

Tresco Abbey Gardens Valhalla Display

Tresco Abbey Gardens Valhalla Display

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: Visitor Centre

Built with trees felled by winter gales, the visitor centre of this English gardens serves teas and lunches, and also has a shop that sells garden guides, seeds and plants.

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: The Mediterranean Garden

From the entrance, a startling blue wooden bridge leads visitors to the Mediterranean Garden, with a shell house and a fountain at its centre.

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: The Long Walk

Running the length of the gardens, the shaded Long Walk has ferns and Nikau Palms from New Zealand, and large, mature Tasmanian Blue Gum with its multiple stems.

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: The Top Terrace

The highest terrace of the gardens is warmer and drier than other parts and hosts plants from Australia and South Africa. Its eastern end overlooks the old Abbey.

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: Statuary

Scattered across the site are exotic statues and sculptures, such as the serenely smilling earth mother Gaia next to the Neptune Steps, by sculptor David Wynne.

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: Magnificent Views

Tantalizing glimpses of the ocean and neighboring islands are all around. The best vistas are from Abbey Hill, Olive Terrace in the Mediterranean Garden, and the Top Terrace.

Tresco Abbey English Gardens: Neptune Steps

The granite-carved steps are flanked by clay pots designed by the garden;s creator, Augustus Smith, and topped by a giant figure of Neptune, which was once a ship’s figurehead.