Making the most of Tresco Scilly Isles
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
New Grimsby Quay on Tresco Island is the port for this tender call; the island itself measures only 1 by 2 miles.
Take along a printable map.
The Isles of Scilly received official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation in 1975. This small Atlantic Ocean archipelago lies off the Cornish coast in England's West Country region, part of the United Kingdom, and is called Ynysek Syllan in Cornish.
On the group's second largest island, north-side wild, rugged granite outcrops and heath land contrast with sub-tropical sandy beaches and the Abbey Gardens in the South, giving Tresco an amazing variety of scenery.
History and Legend have deep roots in the islands culture. Many believe Tresco to be the legendary 'Lyonesse', or 'land across the sea' – King Arthur's final resting-place.
From the earliest times, people have lived on the island, gradually shaping today's landscape while making a living in this remote, sometimes harsh environment.
The famous Abbey gardens are on Tresco.
Getting around
Day visitors have no public transport available.
Nearby places
A network of inter-island launches serves each island daily from 1 April to the end of October every year. Alongside direct island-to-island trips, circular sightseeing tours offer opportunities to see the extensive wildlife in and around the islands, especially large colonies of Atlantic seal and sea bird colonies. For instance, a Three Islands day tour visits Bryher, Tresco and St Agnes, allowing an hour or two ashore on each island for walking and exploring.
Money
Across the UK, the currency is the pound (£), and quid is another term for pounds. Scottish bank notes are frowned upon in other UK regions, so change them before departing Scotland.
Cash machines (ATM), also less formally called 'holes in the wall', are widely available and normally issue £10 and £20 notes.
Most shops and restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard and Maestro.
Staying connected
English is used throughout the country, though sometimes with heavy accents!
Free WiFi is offered by most cafe's and restaurants.
The local emergency telephone number is 999; the EU-wide 112 may also be used.
Opening Hours and
General shopping hours are:
Small stores operate 6 or 7 days a week (10am - 6pm); larger stores generally remain open til' 9PM, while Hyper marts often operate 24/7.