Tresco
Tresco Island
Place to stay
View stayStay in Cornwall
Find your place
to stay in Tresco
Find Tresco accommodation that puts you in the right place for your kind of break.
Tresco is the second largest island in the Isles of Scilly, covering 297 hectares (1.15 square miles), about 3.5 km long and 1.75 km wide. It had 175 permanent residents at the 2011 census, down from 430 in 1841, and many seasonal staff live there in summer.
Make yourself at home
Places to stay in Tresco
Open a listing for photos, contact details and any booking links. Save places with the heart to build your trip.
1 places to explore
Tresco and nearby placesTypes use recorded details or the property name. Facilities, prices and availability need checking with the provider. Featured listings are paid placements. Some booking links earn us a commission.
Know before you go
Tresco: the second largest of the Isles of Scilly, with a sub-tropical garden and two castles
Tresco is the second largest island in the Isles of Scilly, covering 297 hectares (1.15 square miles), about 3.5 km long and 1.75 km wide. It had 175 permanent residents at the 2011 census, down from 430 in 1841, and many seasonal staff live there in summer. The island belongs to the Crown, is administered by the Duchy of Cornwall and is leased to the Dorrien-Smith estate.
Tresco Abbey Gardens, at the south of the island, are sub-tropical gardens begun by Augustus Smith after he became Lord Proprietor in 1834. They stand around the ruins of St Nicholas' Priory and include the Valhalla Figurehead Collection. The Priory remains are a Grade II listed building and a scheduled monument.
On the north of the island, near New Grimsby, King Charles's Castle dates from 1550 to 1554 and was held by Royalists in the Civil War. Cromwell's Castle is a coastal tower built in 1651 and 1652, partly with stone from King Charles's Castle. Oliver's Battery and the Old Blockhouse, which guards Old Grimsby harbour, are among other defensive sites.
Get your bearings
See where you could stay
The map shows all 1 mapped stays on this page, including nearby places. List filters do not change the map. Open a pin for the listing and check the road or ferry route before booking.
A little planning goes a long way
Before you book your Tresco stay
Two properties can look close on a map and still involve a very different journey. Ask about the whole stay, from unloading your bags to getting back after an evening out.
Find places to eat in TrescoParking and arrival
Ask whether parking is on site, reserved elsewhere or in a public car park. Confirm unloading arrangements and the walk with luggage.
Hills, steps and access
Ask the host about the route from the street to your room, lift access, bathroom layout and any steps inside. A central address or harbour view does not tell you whether a property suits your mobility needs.
Families and dogs
Confirm the room layout, cot or extra bed arrangements and any dog restrictions directly. For cottages, check outside space and where you can unload. Do not assume a whole property, parking or pet permission is included.
Good to know
- Setting: Second largest island of the Isles of Scilly, 297 hectares
- Landscape: Gardens, heathland, granite outcrops, shell beaches and dunes, with three SSSIs
- Getting here: By boat or by helicopter from Penzance. The island is car free
- Known for: Tresco Abbey Gardens, Cromwell's Castle, King Charles's Castle and red squirrels
- In the village: Convenience store and post office, art gallery, pub and cafe restaurants in New and Old Grimsby
Useful things to know
Questions about staying in Tresco
Where is Tresco?
Tresco is the second largest island in the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall.
Are there cars on Tresco?
No. The island is car free. Electric vehicles carry overnight visitors, and a few golf carts are available for disabled visitors.
What is Tresco Abbey Gardens?
Sub-tropical gardens at the south of the island, begun by Augustus Smith after 1834 around the remains of St Nicholas' Priory. They include the Valhalla Figurehead Collection.
What castles are on Tresco?
King Charles's Castle, from 1550 to 1554, and Cromwell's Castle, a coastal tower built in 1651 and 1652, both north of New Grimsby.
Can I bring my dog or book a family room?
Policies vary by property and sometimes by room. Check your dates, the number and size of dogs, extra charges, bed arrangements and any age restrictions with the provider before paying.
Does this page show live prices and availability?
No. This is a directory to help you compare places and locations. Use the Check dates and prices button for current prices and availability, or open a listing and contact the property directly for availability and cancellation terms.
Property details come from directory records and should be confirmed with the provider. About Cornish.co.uk · Tell us about a correction
Make more of your Tresco break
Put your stay together with food, beaches and things to do nearby.
