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We can help you book your perfect break to Tresco. We all live here, so it's our specialist subject!

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By Helicopter - Direct to Tresco

By Helicopter - Direct to Tresco

Fly direct to Tresco with Penzance Helicopters - making the flight to the Isles of Scilly as memorable as the destination

Before you Arrive

Before you Arrive

Our pre-arrival checklist - from letting us know your travel plans to ordering your wine and groceries

Tresco Islandshare

Tresco Islandshare

Own a piece of this unique island, with 40 years of holidays on Tresco as more than just a visitor. Discover Islandshares for sale...

Tresco Offers & Breaks

Tresco Offers & Breaks

From seasonal escapes to wellness and creative breaks and last-minute offers, discover our latest offers & breaks on Tresco Island

Eating

Eating

From beachfront dining to our cosy inn, get a taste for island-inspired dining with a Tresco twist

Grocery

Grocery

Place a pre-arrival grocery order and we'll deliver to your accommodation on your arrival

Events & Experiences

Events & Experiences

From the Low Tide Event to live music, Abbey Garden Theatre and more, discover extraordinary events on the Isles of Scilly

Day Trips to Tresco

Day Trips to Tresco

Whether you're coming from elsewhere on Scilly, or further afield in Devon or Cornwall, a day trip to Tresco is the perfect day out

The Binks Family: Why Tresco Christmas?

Christmas on Tresco is utterly unique. Ensconced within our tiny island community, the festive cheer is amplified. You’re safe from the stresses of last-minute shopping, free from extended familial obligations, and you can enjoy festive tipples without having to consider the drive home.

We caught up with the Binks family – Tresco Christmas regulars, having spent five years running on-island for the festive period. Here, mother Kim and daughter Daisy share what makes Tresco Christmas special.

The Cottages

Kim: We love the cosy, comfortable vibe in the Tresco cottages – they’re well equipped and have everything you’d need to cater for the perfect Christmas. They’re also already decorated with lovely trees and garlands – one less thing to think about!

We’ve spent Christmases in a few different Tresco cottages; Abalone, Nautilus and Ocean View. We particularly loved Ocean View because it’s a sociable house with amazing views right onto the beach.

Daisy: Ocean View is great because it’s so close to the sea – particularly useful for our traditional Christmas swim! I love that it overlooks the Old Blockhouse, too – it holds a special place for me as it’s where I got engaged at Christmas in 2017.

The Allure

Kim: We’ve loved being on Tresco for Christmas because it’s family time away from the real world – a true and happy escape. The unique thing about Tresco is that despite being in the middle of the ocean, you can organise everything you need or want to make your own special Christmas and fulfil your family traditions (and we do love our traditions!)

My favourite thing about a Tresco Christmas is the peace, tranquillity and having my favourite people together for this special time of year with no distractions!

Daisy: We love the escape from the world that being on Tresco provides, especially at Christmas. I live and work in London, which is busy and hectic (even more during the festive period), so once we get on the boat from St. Mary’s across to the island, we all breathe a sigh of relief!

The island is magical at all times, but it’s even more peaceful at Christmas. We always seem to have sunshine there, too – people find it hard to believe we’re still in the UK!

The Traditions

Kim: We have many festive rituals. We’ve always enjoyed going to church on Christmas Eve, which on Tresco is lovely. We’re very particular about our festive menu and have always managed to get everything we want through the wonderful team at Tresco Stores, including organic turkey, goose or pheasant, whole smoked salmon sides and fantastic cheese and wine.

Other rituals include a Christmas morning swim in the sea – Santa hats are mandatory, and I happily assume the official photographer role! We follow this up with champagne and smoked salmon breakfast and then a walk around the island to the New Inn to raise a glass with the locals. After that, we retreat to the comfort of our cottage, the smell of turkey roasting and presents.

Daisy: Christmas Eve in the church is wonderful – my husband and I got married there, so it is always extra special for us. Our Christmas Day swim is great fun, and my brother organises a family quiz with a Tresco trivia round before Christmas dinner.

Walking around the island, usually in the sunshine, is a must – especially with a drink at the New Inn as a reward!

The Memories

Kim: Special memories include Daisy and her now-husband Craig getting engaged on Christmas Eve 2017 at Blockhouse Castle. Walks around the island in glorious sunshine are special too - and generally never seeing a soul!

Daisy: Tresco is my favourite place in the world for many reasons. I have only happy memories of the island – from Christmas, getting engaged and married, family holidays, beach walks, amazing food, sunshine… I could go on and on! I have quite literally thousands of photos that I have taken over the years, and our London home is now full of them.

The best thing about a Tresco Christmas is getting away from it all with the ones you love most. You can sometimes feel like the only people in the world while on the island, which is such a rare and magical thing these days, but something we treasure as a family, especially at Christmas.

Thank you to Kim and Daisy Binks for sharing their Christmas memories and a selection of family photos with us.

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Stay on Tresco

Winter and Festive breaks are not always available to book online - for cottage stays or New Inn breaks over the winter months please go to Winter on Tresco or call 01720 422849.

Or call +44 (0)1720 422 849