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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

Words from a wildlife expert

St Mary's local Will Wagstaff is a regular on Tresco, running walks around the island that showcase our flora and fauna. He let us know what he saw on his most recent Tresco amble...

On my most recent walk on Tresco we saw wildlife from more than one season. The rain of late seems to have rejuvenated the tiny Orange Birdsfoot, with its bright orange flowers, that only a week or so appeared to have finished for the year, but was back in abundance this week.

On the other hand, we found a group of four Common Redshank on the edge of Simpson’s Field. These waders are a regular autumn and winter visitor to the island but this was the first flock I had seen for several months. Other signs of autumn included at least six Grey Herons and two Teal. The lone Shelduck was also on the Great Pool and is at the end of its breeding season, as they leave the islands at this time of year, only returning in late October/early November. Also breeding on Tresco this year was the continental version of Pied Wagtail known as a White Wagtail, so it was nice to see one on the edge of the Great pool that morning. It’s surprising how hard it has been to see these grey and white birds this summer.

It was also an excellent day for dragonflies as we saw three species. Black-tailed skimmers were almost unknown on Scilly until three years ago when a small population was discovered on Tresco. These have increased since then so that it is possible to see them quite easily during June and early July - most often in the areas around the Abbey Pool and eastern end of the Great Pool. Common Darters, our smallest dragonfly, have been present on Scilly for much longer but it’s always nice to see them as they appear each year in July. Other signs of migration included the Migrant Hawker Dragonflies that were chasing prey on the eastern side of the island that afternoon. They are a reasonably common migrant, but there is a suspicion that they may also be breeding on the islands now. Our only damselfly was not to be forgotten, as we did see one of the delicate Blue-tailed Damselflies near the Great Pool.

The westerly breeze created ideal conditions for the Swallows, a lone House Martin and five Swifts chasing insects over the bushes along the edge of the Abbey Pool. The latter only breed on Scilly on Tresco but are a regular spring and early autumn migrant.

As the day warmed up it proved to be an excellent day for butterflies, with Meadow Browns in the more open areas, Speckled Woods in the more sheltered rides, a few Holly Blues, Large and Small Whites, a scattering of Red Admirals and a lone Peacock Butterfly. Comma Butterfly have only recently colonised the islands so to see six on Tresco that afternoon was my best total – so far!

As we move into autumn the diversity of birds and butterflies should increase as more migrants pass through the islands and the late flowering flora should be starting to show.

Will Wagstaff
July 2023

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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