Tresco
Encyclopedia
Tresco is the second-biggest island
of the Isles of Scilly
, Cornwall
, United Kingdom
. It is 297 hectares (1.1 sq mi) in size, measuring about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) by 1.75 kilometres (1.1 mi).
gave it to Tavistock Abbey
which established a priory
on Tresco; it was abolished at the Reformation. The priory was given the care of souls in the secular islands by the lord of the fief. In 1233, a prior here, known as Alan of Cornwall, was made abbot of Tavistock
.
The island is named as Trescaw in an 1814 publication, and was described as 'St. Nicholas' when confirmed as a grant to the abbot of Tavistock by pope Celestin in 1193.
The island is administered for the crown by the Duchy of Cornwall
and is leased to the Dorrien-Smith estate, which runs it as a timeshare business: Prices are not cheap. The Dorrien-Smith family (descended from Augustus Smith
) held the position of Lord Proprietors of the Scilly Islands between 1834 and 1920.
Since 2001, the island has hosted a marathon
run organised in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. The course consists of 7½ laps around the island. The event is always held on the same day as the London Marathon
. Past winners include Dara O'Kearney
and Bob Brown
In 2007 a rebuild of the Abbey Farm/Shed area was completed; this area served as RNAS Tresco
, a seaplane
base during the First World War. The development included rental cottages, a swimming pool, a health centre and the "Flying Boat Club" restaurant.
A variety of scenery is found on the island, including rugged granite
outcrops, heathland of the exposed north coast and mainly shell beaches in the east and south. The variety of its scenery and geomorphology is partly a result of the last ice age, where the Devensian ice sheet clipped the north side of the island leaving deformation till deposits.
The main habitations are the villages of New Grimsby and Old Grimsby in central part of the island, where there are a shop and post office, an art gallery, a pub, and a hotel, all of which are owned and run by the Tresco Estate. At the south of the island can be found the sub-tropical Tresco Abbey Gardens
, including the Valhalla Figurehead Collection, and Tresco Heliport
. There are bathing beaches at Pentle Bay, Appletree Bay, Gimble Porth, Hotel Beach, Green Porth, Gimble Porth, Rushy Porth. Further north are King Charles's Castle and Cromwell's Castle.
A large number of seasonal staff also reside on the island during the summer period.
English Civil War
Other landmarks
and from the various quays, and a few golf carts are available for disabled visitors.
British International Helicopters
operate from Tresco Heliport
, providing a year-round helicopter service to Penzance Heliport
.
Bryher Boats run passenger boat services to and from the other inhabited islands, as well as occasional circular sightseeing tours.
, a direct descendant of Augustus Smith
who, after his appointment as Lord Proprietor of the Scillies in 1834 and living on the island, began to create the Abbey Gardens on land which surrounded the old Priory.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of the Isles of Scilly
Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago off the southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula of Great Britain. The islands have had a unitary authority council since 1890, and are separate from the Cornwall unitary authority, but some services are combined with Cornwall and the islands are still part...
, Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is 297 hectares (1.1 sq mi) in size, measuring about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) by 1.75 kilometres (1.1 mi).
History
In early times one group of islands was in the possession of a confederacy of hermits. King Henry IHenry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
gave it to Tavistock Abbey
Tavistock Abbey
Tavistock Abbey, also known as the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Rumon, is a ruined Benedictine abbey in Tavistock, Devon. Nothing remains of the abbey except the refectory, two gateways and a porch. The abbey church, dedicated to Our Lady and St Rumon, was destroyed by Danish raiders in 997 and...
which established a priory
Tresco Abbey Gardens
Tresco Abbey Gardens are located on the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom.A Benedictine abbey was founded here in 964 AD, although the majority of what remains today comes from the Priory of St Nicholas founded by monks from Tavistock Abbey in 1114.The gardens were...
on Tresco; it was abolished at the Reformation. The priory was given the care of souls in the secular islands by the lord of the fief. In 1233, a prior here, known as Alan of Cornwall, was made abbot of Tavistock
Abbot of Tavistock
Abbot of Tavistock was the title of the abbot of Tavistock Abbey in Devon, England. The name of the first abbot is unknown, but the abbey was founded between 975 and 980. Unless otherwise specified the details in the following table are from Heads of Religious Houses: England & Wales 940–1216....
.
The island is named as Trescaw in an 1814 publication, and was described as 'St. Nicholas' when confirmed as a grant to the abbot of Tavistock by pope Celestin in 1193.
The island is administered for the crown by the Duchy of Cornwall
Duchy of Cornwall
The Duchy of Cornwall is one of two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Lancaster. The eldest son of the reigning British monarch inherits the duchy and title of Duke of Cornwall at the time of his birth, or of his parent's succession to the throne. If the monarch has no son, the...
and is leased to the Dorrien-Smith estate, which runs it as a timeshare business: Prices are not cheap. The Dorrien-Smith family (descended from Augustus Smith
Augustus Smith
Augustus John Smith was governor of the Isles of Scilly for over thirty years, and was largely responsible for the economy of the islands as it is today.-Biography:...
) held the position of Lord Proprietors of the Scilly Islands between 1834 and 1920.
Since 2001, the island has hosted a marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
run organised in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. The course consists of 7½ laps around the island. The event is always held on the same day as the London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
. Past winners include Dara O'Kearney
Dara O'Kearney
Dara O'Kearney, born 17 June 1965 in Ennis, County Clare, is an Irish international ultra runner and professional poker player. He is the son of Irish language activist and writer Sean Ua Cearnaigh, and nephew of Irish politician Chris Flood....
and Bob Brown
Bob Brown (runner)
Bob Brown is a British ultra-distance athlete.After racing in a number of long-distance triathlons, culminating in the 1997 World Deca-Ironman Championships in Monterrey, Mexico Bob went on to compete in the Trans-Australia Footrace, the 2004 Run Across America and a 2005 run across Europe which...
In 2007 a rebuild of the Abbey Farm/Shed area was completed; this area served as RNAS Tresco
RNAS Tresco
RNAS Tresco was a Royal Naval Air Service base on Tresco from 1917 to 1919.-History:Early in 1917 a handful of Short Type 184 seaplanes were stationed at Porth Mellon on St Mary’s...
, a seaplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
base during the First World War. The development included rental cottages, a swimming pool, a health centre and the "Flying Boat Club" restaurant.
Geography
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
outcrops, heathland of the exposed north coast and mainly shell beaches in the east and south. The variety of its scenery and geomorphology is partly a result of the last ice age, where the Devensian ice sheet clipped the north side of the island leaving deformation till deposits.
The main habitations are the villages of New Grimsby and Old Grimsby in central part of the island, where there are a shop and post office, an art gallery, a pub, and a hotel, all of which are owned and run by the Tresco Estate. At the south of the island can be found the sub-tropical Tresco Abbey Gardens
Tresco Abbey Gardens
Tresco Abbey Gardens are located on the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom.A Benedictine abbey was founded here in 964 AD, although the majority of what remains today comes from the Priory of St Nicholas founded by monks from Tavistock Abbey in 1114.The gardens were...
, including the Valhalla Figurehead Collection, and Tresco Heliport
Tresco Heliport
Tresco Heliport is a heliport located on the island of Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly off the southwest coast of England, UK.- History :Tresco Heliport has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee...
. There are bathing beaches at Pentle Bay, Appletree Bay, Gimble Porth, Hotel Beach, Green Porth, Gimble Porth, Rushy Porth. Further north are King Charles's Castle and Cromwell's Castle.
Demography
These figures constitute permanent residents only.A large number of seasonal staff also reside on the island during the summer period.
- 1841 - 430
- 1861 - 399
- 1871 - 266
- 1891 - 315
- 1901 - 331
- 1911 - 315
- 1921 - 217
- 1931 - 248
- 1951 - 243
- 1961 - 283
- 1971 - 246
- 1991 - 170
- 2001 - 180
Economy
The character of Tresco varies from that of the other islands in the Scilly archipelago as it is primarily run as a holiday resort, with virtually all activity and employment being tourist-related. This contrasts with the other islands where tourism is important, but does not dominate to the same extent.Landmarks
- King Charles's CastleKing Charles's CastleKing Charles's Castle is a coastal artillery fort near the northern extremity of the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly. It is now in ruins and the site is administered by English Heritage. It was a semi-hexagonal structure to provide a wide field of fire and two-storeyed to give at least two...
dates from 1550–54, and was occupied by the Royalists during the English Civil WarEnglish Civil WarThe English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. It was later partially demolished to provide the building materials for Cromwell's Castle. - A coastal tower known as Cromwell's CastleCromwell's CastleCromwell's Castle is on the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly .It is a coastal Gun Tower built by Oliver Cromwell in 1651-1652 as a replacement for King Charles's Castle. The guns were mounted on the roof above the garrison's living quarters and magazines. The tower was originally entered at...
, was built 1651-52 with gun platform added ca. 1740 by Abraham Tovey, Master Gunner. - The Old Blockhouse gun tower protecting Old Grimsby harbour, vigorously defended during the Civil War. It was probably built between 1548 and 1552.
- Oliver's Battery, in the south of the island, by the Carn Near quay, erected shortly after the capture of Tresco by Parliamentary forces in the English Civil WarEnglish Civil WarThe English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. It was built by Admiral Robert BlakeRobert Blake (admiral)Robert Blake was one of the most important military commanders of the Commonwealth of England and one of the most famous English admirals of the 17th century. Blake is recognised as the chief founder of England's naval supremacy, a dominance subsequently inherited by the British Royal Navy into...
.
Other landmarks
- Monument to Augustus SmithAugustus SmithAugustus John Smith was governor of the Isles of Scilly for over thirty years, and was largely responsible for the economy of the islands as it is today.-Biography:...
above Appletree Bay on the south west of the island. - Arch from the wall of the mediæval monasteryMonasteryMonastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in Tresco Abbey GardensTresco Abbey GardensTresco Abbey Gardens are located on the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom.A Benedictine abbey was founded here in 964 AD, although the majority of what remains today comes from the Priory of St Nicholas founded by monks from Tavistock Abbey in 1114.The gardens were...
. - Anglican church, see St. Nicholas' Church, TrescoSt. Nicholas' Church, TrescoSt Nicholas's Church, Tresco, is a parish church in the Church of England located in Tresco, Isles of Scilly, UK.-History:There was a small church of unknown origin on Tresco in 1798...
.
Transport
Tresco is a car-free island. Farm tractors with passenger trailers are used to transport overnight visitors to and from Tresco HeliportTresco Heliport
Tresco Heliport is a heliport located on the island of Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly off the southwest coast of England, UK.- History :Tresco Heliport has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee...
and from the various quays, and a few golf carts are available for disabled visitors.
British International Helicopters
British International Helicopters
British International Helicopter Services Limited is an airline based at Penzance heliport, in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, with headquarters located at Sherborne, Dorset. It operates seasonal and year round domestic scheduled services to the Isles of Scilly. Its main base is Penzance...
operate from Tresco Heliport
Tresco Heliport
Tresco Heliport is a heliport located on the island of Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly off the southwest coast of England, UK.- History :Tresco Heliport has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee...
, providing a year-round helicopter service to Penzance Heliport
Penzance Heliport
Penzance Heliport is located northeast of Penzance, Cornwall. The heliport has scheduled flights to the Isles of Scilly, which connect to the railway network at Penzance railway station by a special bus service...
.
Bryher Boats run passenger boat services to and from the other inhabited islands, as well as occasional circular sightseeing tours.
Vagrant Birds
Among the many vagrant birds which have been found here are the following, which was a first for Britain:- Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) Originally identified as a Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1969
Cultural references
Because of its geography and history, Tresco has often featured in fiction. Most notably in the books of author Sam LlewellynSam Llewellyn
Sam Llewellyn, born in 1948, is a British author of literature for children and adults.-Biography:Sam Llewellyn was born on Tresco, Isles of Scilly, where his ancestors lived for many years. He grew up in Norfolk. He attended Eton College and later St. Catherine's College, Oxford...
, a direct descendant of Augustus Smith
Augustus Smith
Augustus John Smith was governor of the Isles of Scilly for over thirty years, and was largely responsible for the economy of the islands as it is today.-Biography:...
who, after his appointment as Lord Proprietor of the Scillies in 1834 and living on the island, began to create the Abbey Gardens on land which surrounded the old Priory.
- Flora Castledine, lead character of the Georgie Gale novel Tread SoftlyTread softlyTread softly or tread-softly may refer to:* Cnidoscolus stimulosus , a plant of the spurge family * Solanum carolinense , a plant of the nightshade family...
, was born and brought up on the Isles of Scilly. Tresco is mentioned several times. - Why the Whales CameWhy the Whales CameWhy the Whales Came is a children's story written by Michael Morpurgo and first published by William Heinemann in 1985. It is set on the island of Bryher, one of the Isles of Scilly, in the year 1914. "You keep away from the Birdman", warned Gracie's father. But Gracie and her friend Daniel...
by Michael MorpurgoMichael MorpurgoMichael Morpurgo, OBE FKC AKC is an English author, poet, playwright and librettist, best known for his work in children's literature. He was the third Children's Laureate.-Early life:...
is set in the Isles of Scilly and features Tresco several times. - Hell Bay, by Sam Llewellyn, is set on Tresco and fictionalises the events leading up to Augustus SmithAugustus SmithAugustus John Smith was governor of the Isles of Scilly for over thirty years, and was largely responsible for the economy of the islands as it is today.-Biography:...
taking ownership of the island. - The Sea Garden, also by Sam Llewellyn, is set on a fictional island based heavily on Tresco. It features a stunning Sea Garden much like the Tresco Abbey Gardens and the history of the fictional island draws heavily from the real history of the island.
- Storm Islands, by Ann Quinton, is a mystery novel set on Tresco and in the Isles of Scilly.
Filmography
- In the 1989 BBC adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn TreaderThe Voyage of the Dawn TreaderThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis. Written in 1950, it was published in 1952 as the third book of The Chronicles of Narnia...
, the scenes on the fictional Lone Islands were filmed on Tresco, with the on-ship scenes being filmed on a ship on the surrounding sea. - Tresco is the setting for the 2010 film ArchipelagoArchipelago (film)Archipelago is a 2010 British film written and directed by Joanna Hogg about a family holiday on Tresco, Isles of Scilly.-Plot:A darkly comic and quietly moving portrayal of a family in emotional crisis...
, directed by Joanna HoggJoanna HoggJoanna Hogg is a British film maker and screenwriter. She made her directorial and screenwriting feature film debut in 2007 with Unrelated.-Early TV Work:...
and starring Tom HiddlestonTom HiddlestonThomas William "Tom" Hiddleston is an English actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Loki in the 2011 Marvel Studios film Thor.-Early life and education:...
. It premiered at the 2010 London Film FestivalLondon Film FestivalThe BFI London Film Festival is the UK's largest public film event, screening more than 300 features, documentaries and shorts from almost 50 countries. The festival, , currently in its 54th year, is run every year in the second half of October under the umbrella of the British Film Institute...
, and was released on 4 March 2011 in the U.K. and Ireland.
External links
- Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
- An illustrated history of Tresco from the Bronze Age to the present 'The Last Piece of England'