Tresco Abbey Garden

PHONE 01720 424108

WEB  www.tresco.co.uk/see/abbey-garden/group-bookings.aspx

E MAIL  mikenelhams@tresco.co.uk

A visit to Scilly isn’t complete without a look at the world famous Tresco Abbey Garden on the island of Tresco. The gardens present one of the finest international collections of sub-tropical plants in the UK and are often referred to as ‘Kew with the roof off’

They are also home to ‘Valhalla’– a shipwreck figurehead museum where visitors can see carved figureheads, cannons and lighthouse relics from across the islands.

A tour with curator Mike Nelhams can be tailored to your itinerary and is a great way to make the most of a short time on the islands.

  1. The gardens are open daily and although the general opening hours are 10 am – 4 pm we are happy to open early or late to accommodate cruise ship calls.
  2.  Carn Near Quay has undergone a ¾ million pound upgrade and improvement over the winter so that passengers can disembark from the tenders in a safer and more convenient way.
  3.  Tresco can receive the ship’s own tenders as well as the local boats. All boats are met at the quay by the gardeners.  For local tenders the ship needs to contact the local agent David Badcock on dpbsmbascilly@btinternet.com or 07799355885.
  4.  We offer free transport to and from the quays for those less able to walk.
  5. Our Garden Visitor Centre has a well stocked licensed café offering hot and cold snacks and a range of beverages and cakes with a garden seating area and indoor seating for inclement days.  The Gift Shop has a wide range of souvenirs and gifts, many with garden themes. There is an information room detailing the history of the garden where there are also facilities for slide shows and exhibitions.
  6.  For the disabled visitor we have a wheelchair, an electric scooter available for hire and disabled WC facilities.  Most of the garden is accessible by wheelchair; there are slopes to the upper terraces for those unable to ascend the steps.
  7. We offer guided tours led by our knowledgeable and friendly gardeners at reasonable rates, the tours generally last about an hour but can be tailored to suit the needs of the passengers, i.e. special interest tours.  Free garden maps are handed out to all the visitors.
  8. The gardens are also home to a large variety of birds; lucky visitors will encounter a golden pheasant or catch a glimpse of the rarer birds that stop off on their migration.
  9.  Near to the garden are several white sandy beaches with views across the islands or there are plenty of woodland walks.  A 25 minute walk away is the village with an island store and the renowned New Inn.

The luxuriant stream-fed garden has year-round interest, with water features, gazebo and a wide variety of rare and exotic plants basking in the very special microclimate. A recent addition to the house is the re-creation of Lady Dorothy's bedroom, as it was in 1930.