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

Call us on +44 (0)1720 422 849 or email us.

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

Hidden historical treasures in the Abbey Garden

Local archaeologist Katharine Sawyer tells us about some unexpected gems to be found in Tresco Abbey Garden…

After a cold and wet spring the plants in the Abbey Garden are now responding to the warm sunshine of the past few weeks and the Garden looks wonderful. Unknown to many, it is also a treasure trove of archaeological features, although the majority have no identifying notice on them and so are easily overlooked.

The largest and most obvious (and with an explanatory sign) is the old Tresco Abbey, the ruins of the Benedictine priory dedicated to St Nicholas. The date of its foundation is uncertain: it is first mentioned in a grant to Tavistock Abbey in 1120 but may have been established well before then. The existence of an earlier Christian chapel in this area is suggested by the discovery of stone-lined graves, probably early mediaeval in date, in the private part of the Garden and by the 6th century AD memorial stone, which now lies on the ground in the smaller of the two arches of the priory ruins.

Not far from the priory, beside a path, is a holed stone (pictured to the right). It is a roughly squared slab pierced by two holes and was traditionally used as a betrothal stone, whereby a couple became engaged by holding hands through the holes. (Be aware that the holes are not very big if you are tempted to do this!) This may be a re-use of a Bronze Age ritual object and there are several other holed stones around the islands. The holed stone in the Abbey Garden is said to have been brought from Bryher as a garden ornament.

Another object, also taken to Tresco as an ornament, is the Roman altar (pictured below) which was found on the Garrison on St Mary’s in the 1860s. This is now at the western end of the Long Walk, close to the kitchen garden. The altar, which has had a stone slab and bowl cemented to the top of it since its discovery, has side panels with carvings depicting a cleaver and a long-handled axe. The absence of a dedication on the front panel suggests that it is unfinished so it may be from a Roman shipwreck or discarded ballast from a Roman ship.

There is an opportunity to visit the Abbey Garden and see not only its horticultural beauties but also its ancient treasures on archaeological holidays, led by Katharine, based at the Hell Bay. These take in a range of sites from prehistoric burial chambers and standing stones on St Mary’s and Gugh to the abandoned post-mediaeval cottages on Samson. The walking is gentle and a taxi is used to see some of the sites on St Mary’s. There are 4 night holidays in October 2013 and in April and October 2014. For further details click here.

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