Tresco Abbey Gardens

Twenty-eight miles off the Cornish coast, the Isles of Scilly is a haven for exotic plants. The Isles of Scilly are split into five main islands: St Mary’s, Tresco, Bryher, St Agnes and St Martins. The islands are so small that only 2,271 people live on all the islands, with only 150 people living on Tresco. Tresco Abbey Gardens are found on the island of Tresco. In the 1800s, Augustus Smith moved to the island as Lord Proprietor of all the islands. Augustus decided to build his house alongside the St Nicholas Priory, which had fallen into disrepair during the 16th century. As well as building the house, he started to plan the garden around the church ruins. With each new owner of the Smith family owning the estate, they expanded the gardens with the most recently found flowers of the period. The most recent owners of the estate are Robert and Lucy Dorrien-Smith. Due to the unique climate of the islands, Tresco Gardens can grow and maintain various exotic plants such as King Proteas and Leuchospermum cordifolium.