Tresco Island Coronavirus Information
Wellbeing, happiness and peace of mind has always been at the heart of our island. Now, that’s more important than ever before…
Below, we’ve gathered together information on our Coronavirus response – from our latest updates to our flexible booking guarantee and how we’re keeping our guests, team and wider community safe as we gently ease out of restrictions over the coming months.
We'll update this page regularly, so do check back for the latest information as we adapt and evolve our response to this ever-changing situation.
Latest Update: 7th April 2021
We're looking forward to brighter times ahead and welcoming you back as we gradually ease out of lockdown over the coming weeks.
From 12th April we will reopen our self-catering cottages and Sea Garden Apartments to single household groups and support bubbles. Our restaurants will be available for outdoor dining in line with the rule of six, and our outdoor heated pools will be available for use.
From 17th May, we'll be able to reopen The New Inn bedrooms, and our self-catering cottages will be open to groups of up to 6 people, or more people provided you are from two households only. We also plan to reopen Tresco Island Spa and the Sea Garden facilities at this point.
If you have a booking with us and have any questions, you may find the answer below. If not, do call us on 01720 422849 or email us.
There's light at the end of the tunnel and we can't wait to see you soon. Those lockdown dreams of Tresco are getting closer to reality...
Book Ahead with Confidence
Never has it been more important to have something to look forward to – a light on the horizon to help us through the storm. However, we understand things don't always go according to plan, so we've taken the worry out of booking a holiday with our simple Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee.
If your holiday has to be cancelled due to government Coronavirus restrictions, we'll transfer your reservation to a future date, up to the end of 2023, subject to availability and variation of tariff. The balance of your holiday is only due one week prior to arrival for all stays starting before 21st June. For full details, please take a look at our booking terms and conditions.
You can also book your travel to the islands with confidence with Penzance Helicopters' Coronavirus Booking Pledge. If government Coronavirus restrictions prevent you from travelling as booked, you’ll be able to transfer your flights to a future date within the next year for free or choose a full refund.
Gently Unlocking Time To Be
As we follow the Government's Roadmap and gently find our way back to a more normal way of life, we will continue to put the wellbeing of our guests, team and island community at the heart of everything we do.
Below, we've outlined what you can expect this spring and summer; we're keeping everything crossed to be able to resume normal service from 21st June.
Accommodation
Our cottages reopen to single households and bubbles from 12th April 2021.
From 17th May 2021, The New Inn rooms will reopen, and at this stage, we also hope to be able to welcome cottage guests in groups of up to 6 people (or more if from two households).
Dining
From 12th April, outdoor dining and drinking will be available at The Ruin each lunchtime and The New Inn throughout the day and evening for groups of 6 people (or two households). Grab a blanket from the box for cosy evenings beneath the stars. The Ruin Beach Hut and Garden Café will be open throughout the day for light bites and drinks.
From 17th May, indoor dining for groups of 6 people (or two households) resumes at The Ruin (lunch and dinner) and The New Inn (all day and evening). We also hope to welcome larger groups of up to 30 people outdoors. The new-look Flying Boat Café & Deli will open - perfect for light bites, drinks and picnic essentials.
Throughout, you'll also be able to enjoy a selection of favourite dishes from The Ruin - plus our New Inn Fish & Chips - with our new Dine at Home menu.
Over on Bryher, Hell Bay Hotel reopens to non-residents for lunch, dinner and daytime drinks from 17th May, and we hope to reopen the Crab Shack from 21st June.
Retail
Tresco Stores will be open from 12th April, and you can also pre-order groceries online so they're ready and waiting in your cottage on arrival - plus top up throughout your stay.
Lucy-Tania, Gallery Tresco and the Garden Shop will be open throughout - perfect for a spot of Tresco retail therapy.
Out & About
We throw open the gates to Tresco Abbey Garden again from 12th April - the most magnificent time of year in the garden. Entry to the garden is included with all accommodation on Tresco.
Our heated outdoor pools and tennis courts reopen from 12th April, as well as Golf on St Mary's. From 17th May, our indoor pools, spa facilities, gyms and spa treatments reopen. Access to all these facilities is also included within your accommodation price on Tresco.
For those who prefer to be on the water, Tresco Boat Services will offer a limited boating schedule from 12th April, with a full service resuming from 21st June. Tresco Sailing Centre will be open throughout for hire of sailing boats, kayaks, SUP boards and windsurfers.
Your Questions Answered
We hope the Frequently Asked Questions below will give you the information you need.
When will Tresco accommodation reopen?
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We will reopen our self-catering cottages from Monday 12th April for single household groups or support bubbles. The New Inn bedrooms are planned to reopen from Monday 17th May, when we also hope it will be possible for up to 6 people or two households to share self-catering accommodation. From 21st June we hope all accommodation will be open as usual.
Of course, our accommodation will reopen in line with the government Roadmap, and as such, all dates are subject to change. Please check back here regularly for updates.
What will be open on the island at each Step of the Roadmap?
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We’ve outlined what we expect to be available at each Step of the government Roadmap above. For further details, please see the individual pages of our website. All these plans are subject to change; we suggest checking back regularly for updates.
My accommodation is not available. What are my options?
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If you are booked to stay in a cottage before 12th April, or The New Inn before 17th May, your accommodation will not be available. As this is due to government Coronavirus restrictions, you can transfer your reservation to a future date up to the end of 2023 under our Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee, subject to availability and variation of tariff.
You should now have received a call or email from us and been able to transfer your booking. If you've not heard from us, please do email us or call the team on 01720 422849.
We're a multi-household group staying before Step 3. What are our options?
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As the property is available, you are welcome to still travel if you can do so as a single household or support bubble.
If you would rather not travel, we will happily re-advertise your property and provided the property is re-let we will refund your deposit paid. We are currently waiving the £50 administration fee usually applied to re-let properties.
Otherwise, our standard terms and conditions of booking apply.
I’m booked after 12th April but don't want to travel. What are my options?
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Our teams across the island will be working hard to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all our guests, adhering to all government guidelines and doing all we can to keep our guests, team and island safe. We will also be doing all we can to ensure the experience is as close as possible to the usual Tresco experience, within the government guidelines at the time.
Once government restrictions on travel and accommodation are lifted, our standard terms and conditions of booking apply.
I am shielding. What are my options?
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The government Roadmap indicates shielding will no longer be required after the end of March 2021, so our standard terms and conditions of booking apply.
When do I need to pay the balance of my stay?
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With the announcement of the Government roadmap, we are reverting to our regular terms and conditions. For stays with an arrival date on or after 21st June 2021, your balance is due 8 weeks before arrival. For bookings with an arrival date prior to this, your balance is due 1 week before arrival.
I have tested positive for COVID19 or have to self-isolate. What should I do?
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You must not travel to the Isles of Scilly if you or someone you live with has experienced Coronavirus symptoms in the last 14 days, tests positive or have been told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace.
You will need to provide evidence of a positive test result or Test and Trace notification. We will then happily transfer your booking to a future date up to the end of 2023 under our Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee, subject to availability and variation of tariff.
I can't travel from overseas or elsewhere in the UK. What are my options?
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If you cannot travel due to government restrictions, your booking is protected by our Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee.
If your holiday has to be cancelled due to government Coronavirus restrictions, we'll transfer your reservation to a future date, up to the end of 2023, subject to availability and variation of tariff. Our standard booking terms and conditions still apply for all other changes and cancellations.
Does the Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee apply to new bookings?
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All bookings are currently protected by our Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee. If your holiday has to be cancelled due to government Coronavirus restrictions, we'll transfer your reservation to a future date, up to the end of 2023, subject to availability and variation of tariff. Our standard booking terms and conditions still apply for all other changes and cancellations.
You can make a booking online or call the team on 01720 422849. Please note we do have very limited availability, but the booking system on our website is live and correct. If you can’t find availability straight away, please check back soon.
Do I need travel insurance?
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Bookings are currently protected by our Coronavirus Flexible Booking Guarantee. If your holiday has to be cancelled due to government Coronavirus restrictions, we'll transfer your reservation to a future date, up to the end of 2022.
However, our standard conditions of carriage still apply for other changes. Therefore, we strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance and carefully checking the policy wording to ensure you are fully protected.
I’m trying to book but your website shows no availability. Is it right?
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We have seen unprecedented demand for stays on Tresco so have very limited availability for 2021 at present. Our website is correct and shows our live availability across all cottages, apartments and bedrooms on Tresco updated in real-time.
Do check back regularly, as accommodation may become available due to Timeshare relets, cancellations and amendments. Alternatively, you may want to try searching for availability over the autumn and winter months, or in 2022.
What are you doing to keep guests safe?
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Throughout the pandemic, we've put the health and happiness of our guests, team and wider island community at the heart of everything we've done. We'll be following the Government Roadmap and adhering to all the guidelines throughout as we all pull together to find our way out of this storm once and for all.
Inevitably, the measures we've put in place will mean some changes to the usual Tresco experience, but we will always stay true to the things that make this place unique. Peace and tranquillity. Warm welcomes and familiar faces. Wide-open spaces and time to be.
Our risk assessments and procedures are extensive, but we’ve highlighted some of the key changes below so you can feel confident in visiting while keeping yourself, our team and island community safe - and we'll keep evolving and adapting our approach as things change.
Don't forget to also check the measures in place on transport to the islands with Penzance Helicopters and Isles of Scilly Travel. We also strongly recommend that you take a look through the information provided by the Council of the Isles of Scilly regarding visiting the islands during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Plenty of Space: Life on Tresco is all about great times in the great outdoors and making the most of our boundless open spaces, but when we are indoors, we’ve ensured there’s plenty of space for everyone. Tables have been distanced in our restaurants, group numbers are kept in line with the government Roadmap, and across the island, you’ll find gentle reminders to give one another plenty of room. There’s no need to visit the Island Office to ‘check-in’ and on departure, your bill can be settled online. Of course, we’re still on-hand by phone and email throughout your stay.
Working Together: We’re getting through this tough time by working together; by everyone doing their bit to keep each other safe – and it’s the little things that help the most. You’ll find plentiful supplies of hand sanitiser and soap throughout the island – please do use it liberally! We’ll also ask you to wear a face-covering in all public areas of the island, including our stores, boats, shuttles and in our restaurants until you’re seated.
Careful Cleaning: Anna and her formidable housekeeping team have been working harder than ever to keep us all safe. Throughout our accommodation and public areas, we’re cleaning more often and more thoroughly using a high-performance sanitiser. We’re paying particular attention to things like door handles and remote controls, and we’ve removed most of the usual paperwork in your accommodation (any what remains is single-use).
Eating Out... Or In: Good food has always been one of the most enjoyable things about any holiday on Tresco – and we don’t think anything should change that. We’re carefully following all the government Roadmap and industry guidance with things like outdoor dining, group sizes, Test and Trace systems, distance between tables and face coverings for our teams and guests until seated. We’ve also been creative, with takeaway options at The Ruin and The New Inn so you can enjoy your favourite dishes wherever you choose.
Safer Shopping: We’ve limited the number of people in Tresco Stores at any one time, and alongside the obvious things like hand sanitiser and face coverings, we’re being careful to clean more regularly and more thoroughly, so you can shop safely in store. If you’d rather keep your distance, you can now shop online for delivery to your cottage, both before and during your stay. Contactless payment methods can be used throughout the island.
Wellness in Every Way: It’s more important than ever to look after body and soul, so we’re making sure our wellness spaces are available wherever possible. Our spa facilities, indoor pools and treatments will reopen at Step 3 of the government Roadmap as it's not possible for us to manage these safely in accordance with the rules of Step 2. Our outdoor pools and tennis courts will be available from Step 2.
