Tresco Abbey Gardens

Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom

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Tresco Abbey Gardens, located on the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom, were established in the 19th century by Augustus Smith, the then proprietor of the islands.

The gardens were created around the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey dating back to 964 AD and later a priory from the 12th century. Augustus Smith built his home nearby and planted extensive shelter belts and high granite walls to protect the garden from strong Atlantic winds.

The unique frost-free climate, influenced by the Gulf Stream, allows the cultivation of over 20,000 plants, including many exotic species from around the world, making it a subtropical botanical paradise. The garden features a variety of terraces, pathways, and themed areas with plants collected from expeditions to diverse regions such as South Africa, Australia, and South America.

It is considered one of the great gardens of the world, combining botanical richness with historical significance and scenic beauty.