The island institution welcomes guests
The New Inn, a Tresco island institution, has reopened following substantial refurbishment. The New Inn has long been the perfect base for exploring Tresco and the wider Isles of Scilly. This spring, the bedrooms and Pavilion got a fresh new look, echoing the character and charm that makes The New Inn the very heart of the island.
The new look has been created by interior designer and friend of Tresco, Tania Streeter, who has personally overseen every design choice, from the furniture to the fireplace. Tania is the design visionary behind the interiors at island cottages Seabreeze and Cobblers, and is also leading the upgrade across the island’s one hundred holiday cottages over the next five years.
At The New Inn, The Driftwood Bar at the heart of the inn has had a refresh of paint and some new fabrics, remaining much the same and ensuring the charm and character loved by locals and visitors alike is upheld. The Pavillion has received the biggest transformation, making it the perfect cosy dining experience for a special evening out, blending beautifully with the lower area of the main bar. Features include zinc-topped and reclaimed wooden tables, a warming log burner, and walls decorated with treasures from the Tresco archives uncovered by Lucy and Eleanor Dorrien-Smith and interior designer Tania.
Outside, a new terrace with Ox Grill sits beautifully alongside the existing beer garden – ideal for long and lazy summer evenings beneath the stars.
For those in need of refreshment, The New Inn is the go-to place on Tresco at any time of day; from a nourishing breakfast to kick-start the day to indulgent morning cakes and pastries, long lunches, and afternoon bar bites to a hearty supper.
The new menu has been crafted by head chef Liam Caves, with pub favourites such as the New Inn Burger and traditional Fish & Chips joined by the likes of half lobster with local chilli and herb butter, monkfish scampi or freshly-caught crispy skinned mackerel. In the summer months, the new outdoor Ox Grill will be fired up and food will be cooked over the coals, really bringing to life the flavours and aromas of the locally-sourced produce. Market fish is led by the daily catch of islanders Jordan Penhaligon and Hannah Keith, who also work at Tresco’s Heliport and Cottage Department respectively. Seafaring is in Jordan’s blood – his grandfather, Jeff, was the Harbourmaster of St Mary’s for ten years.
Upstairs all 16 bedrooms are totally reimagined with all-new interiors, designed to bring a sense of the outside in, and to create a sanctuary after a purposeful day of island exploration. This creates a revived guest experience that’s both contemporary, comfortable, and reassuringly ‘Tresco’ in its style. Tania’s team handcrafted the wooden bedframes, and she worked with Fermoie to create a bespoke Tresco fabric for the blinds. Bespoke joinery, all-new bathrooms and little touches like USB chargers all complete the new, high-quality guest experience.
Bedside tables created by Alfred Newall – a Brother of The Art Workers’ Guild – are home to the beautiful vintage styling of Roberts Radios. Tania has put real thought into making these rooms a cosy sanctuary, perfectly reflective of their island location. Hues of plum and bracken beautifully accent turquoise tongue-and-groove panelling; the Fermoie blinds a bespoke colourway to highlight stunning views.
Nick Halliday, CEO of Tresco Estate, says: “We are incredibly excited to reveal the refurbishment of The New Inn – the heart of Tresco, and a key offering as we start the new season. As part of our wider design refresh across the island to further enhance our already exemplary guest experience, The New Inn reopens after one of the strongest years on record for bookings. Throughout the season, which runs from March until October, occupancy is almost at 100% across all accommodation, and we cannot wait to welcome so many guests back to the island.”
