A few images of Tresco, the second largest island in the Isles of Scilly. Hover over a picture to see its caption and click on it to enlarge it.

• colours and shapes

  The proximity of the Gulf Stream allows for a very mild climate in the Scilly Isles. Frosts are almost unknown, and adventurous horticulturalists can successfully grow many exotic species (photo © hidden europe).

• colours and shapes

  The proximity of the Gulf Stream allows for a very mild climate in the Scilly Isles. Frosts are almost unknown, and adventurous horticulturalists can successfully grow many exotic species (photo © hidden europe).

• Tresco Abbey Gardens

  Tresco Abbey Gardens invite the visitor to explore ecosystems that are otherwise rarely encountered within the British Isles (photo © hidden europe).

• Tresco Abbey Gardens

  Tresco Abbey Gardens invite the visitor to explore ecosystems that are otherwise rarely encountered within the British Isles (photo © hidden europe).

• exotic plants

  Tresco Abbey Gardens host an unusual collection of Mediterranean, Australasian and New World plants (photo © hidden europe).

• exotic plants

  Tresco Abbey Gardens host an unusual collection of Mediterranean, Australasian and New World plants (photo © hidden europe).

• Abbey graves

  Overgrown graves in Tresco Abbey Gardens - the Benedictine abbey has long since disappeared, but a few graves remain, as quiet reminders of the former spiritual significance of this corner of the Scilly Isles (photo © hidden europe).

• Abbey graves

  Overgrown graves in Tresco Abbey Gardens - the Benedictine abbey has long since disappeared, but a few graves remain, as quiet reminders of the former spiritual significance of this corner of the Scilly Isles (photo © hidden europe).

• "The Children of Tresco"

  David Wynne's striking sculpture entitled "The Children of Tresco", situated on the fringes of Tresco Abbey Gardens (photo © hidden europe).

• "The Children of Tresco"

  David Wynne's striking sculpture entitled "The Children of Tresco", situated on the fringes of Tresco Abbey Gardens (photo © hidden europe).

• Seasons on Tresco

  Tresco Abbey Gardens - a colourful display of exotic plants and flowers (photo © hidden europe).

• Seasons on Tresco

  Tresco Abbey Gardens - a colourful display of exotic plants and flowers (photo © hidden europe).

• Tresco Abbey Gardens

  Tresco Abbey Gardens - a truly Mediterranean view, emphasising the role of the sea as a backdrop to the botanical extravagances of the gardens (photo © hidden europe).

• Tresco Abbey Gardens

  Tresco Abbey Gardens - a truly Mediterranean view, emphasising the role of the sea as a backdrop to the botanical extravagances of the gardens (photo © hidden europe).

• Indian summer

  The eastern wing of the Island Hotel on Tresco overlooks the beach, creating an almost Caribbean feel. But this really is England (photo © hidden europe).

• Indian summer

  The eastern wing of the Island Hotel on Tresco overlooks the beach, creating an almost Caribbean feel. But this really is England (photo © hidden europe).

• Sculpture on Tresco

  A sculpture of dolphins near the Island Hotel on Tresco (photo © hidden europe).

• Sculpture on Tresco

  A sculpture of dolphins near the Island Hotel on Tresco (photo © hidden europe).

• New Grimsby harbour

  The bay at New Grimsby on Tresco - with Cromwell's Castle in the background (photo © hidden europe).

• New Grimsby harbour

  The bay at New Grimsby on Tresco - with Cromwell's Castle in the background (photo © hidden europe).

• New Grimsby

  Late summer pampas grass on the coast of the island of Tresco (photo © hidden europe).

• New Grimsby

  Late summer pampas grass on the coast of the island of Tresco (photo © hidden europe).

• A Caribbean feel

  Isles of Scilly - amazing colours of the sea at low tide (photo © hidden europe).

• A Caribbean feel

  Isles of Scilly - amazing colours of the sea at low tide (photo © hidden europe).