Autumn Tide Festival

As summer softens and autumn settles across the islands, Tresco takes on a gentler rhythm. Days are made for garden wanderings, sandy walks, sea swims and time spent out in the elements; evenings for gathering over good food, local ales, live music and fireside conversation.

Following a wonderful first festival in 2025, Autumn Tide returns with a programme inspired by the richness of the season and the character of the islands. At its heart will be The New Inn, where island producers, chefs, artists, musicians and makers will come together to share the flavours, stories and creativity of Scilly.

Across the week, discover seasonal specials, freshly caught seafood, guest ales, locally brewed spirits, creative workshops, guided walks and immersive experiences in Tresco’s remarkable landscape. Led by islanders, artisans and nature lovers, each day offers a new way to slow down, look closer and feel part of island life.

Small in size but rich in spirit, the Isles of Scilly hold a particular magic in autumn. Join us for Autumn Tide Festival and discover Tresco at the year’s golden hour.

Autumn is a wonderfully atmospheric time on the Isles of Scilly. Golden light, burnished bracken, clear bright days and the occasional wild Atlantic edge make for memorable island exploring - and all the more reason to retreat to the comfort of a log burner as evening falls.

Autumn Tide Festival was created to celebrate this remarkable time of year, and the food, culture, history and creativity that make Scilly so distinctive. A chance to get to know the islands more deeply; to follow the weather, tide and season; and to savour the warmth of island life before winter settles in.

From garden tours and shipwreck talks to drawing classes, boat trips and low tide rambles, the inaugural Autumn Tide Festival brought together islanders, makers, cooks, guides and guests for a week shaped by curiosity, conversation and discovery. 

With feasts from The New Inn grill, stories shared, glasses raised and new corners of the islands explored, there was a wonderful buzz across Tresco throughout the week.

We are already looking ahead to next autumn, when more yarns will be spun, more secrets uncovered, and more of Scilly’s autumn harvest shared.

Join us from 10th - 17th October 2026 for Autumn Tide Festival, and discover the Isles of Scilly at the year’s golden hour.