Tresco Abbey (Isles of Scilly, UK)

At the end of my England trip, our tour director asked us to list our top 5 gardens, out of the 30 or so we had visited. I chose Tresco Abbey as #1 (although Iford Manor was a close second). The odd thing is, I'm usually not captivated by the type of plants in this garden. Maybe I'm being converted. If so, this is certainly a garden that could do that to you.

This garden is located on the Isles of Scilly, a small cluster of islands about thirty miles off the coast of southwest England. The only way to get there is by boat or helicopter. We utilized both methods, and it was quite the experience. I know our tour guide was apprehensive about the day's plans - everything had to be done like clockwork - and it involved multiple groups of us taking the helicopter ride. I cannot remember what came first, the boat or the helicopter. I think it was the boat -

And then the helicopter ride (my first). Here is a short video I did that shows some of the helicopter ride, the driver who took us to the helipad, a few garden views, and one of the many red squirrels that inhabit the garden.

The garden is unique to England, with a mild climate, warmed by the Gulf stream, that allows the cultivation of tender plants. Plants from all over the world flourish here, from every Mediterranean climate zone. 

The garden was started in the mid-1800s when Augustus Smith leased the islands. Part of the lease agreement stipulated that improvements to the islands be made. Smith indeed did that and more, revitalizing an impoverished community by eliminating smuggling, establishing a shipping port, and educating the children on the islands. 

Smith eventually built his house at Tresco Abbey, a former monastery from the sixteenth century. The only remaining remnants of the abbey were some crumbling walls and part of an archway. Despite the hospitable climate, gardening was difficult due to the harsh, salty gale winds from the ocean. To protect the garden, a wall was built, and hundreds of trees were planted for a windbreak (in particular Monterey Cypress and the Monterey Pine, which were tolerant of the salty winds.)

The first thing I saw at Tresco was "Valhalla", a collection of figureheads that Smith collected from shipwrecks around the islands. 

Leaving the Valhalla exhibit is a shady garden with winding trails, with huge tree ferns -

There are three major vistas at Tresco. The first I encountered was the "Lighthouse Walk". This breathtaking pathway, bordered with lush plantings, ends at one end at the "Neptune Steps". The Neptune bust came from the ship "SS Thames" and has been in the garden since 1841. 

At the opposite end of the Lighthouse Walk is a sculpture titled "Tresco Children" by David Wayne.

Soon, you approach the Old Abbey and the Pebble Garden, my favorite part of the garden. This was the first area that Augustus Smith landscaped. The stone arch and wall is all that is left of the abbey that was built in the eleventh century.

Next is the Rockery and the Abbey House. 

And a confession - I wandered right into the house, not knowing that it was off limits to visitors. I saw the sign on way out, partially hidden in plants. I didn't see a single person, although I did hear a vacuum cleaner and clanging dishes. And I took photos inside the house but I'd better not post those. I would like to visit this place again one day.

Not supposed to be here...

This is only half of this incredible garden. To be continued...

Visited May 16 2025)

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy