Middle Down

Downs, Moorland in Cornwall

England

Middle Down

Plum Island Tresco View Across New Grimsby Harbour to Plum island  with the island of Bryher in the background and King Henry's Castle on the extreme right.
Plum Island Tresco Credit: Nigel Mykura

Middle Down is a scenic area located in Cornwall, England. Situated in the southwestern part of the county, Middle Down is a combination of downs and moorland, offering a diverse landscape for visitors to explore.

The downs in Middle Down are characterized by their rolling hills and grassy expanses. These open spaces provide breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and are ideal for walking, picnicking, or simply appreciating the natural beauty. The downs are home to a variety of plant species, including wildflowers and grasses, adding a splash of color to the landscape.

Adjacent to the downs, the moorland in Middle Down adds a different dimension to the area. Here, visitors can experience a more rugged and wild terrain, with scattered rocky outcrops and heather-covered hills. Moorland wildlife is abundant, with species such as ponies, sheep, and various birds often spotted in the area.

Middle Down is also known for its historical significance. The area is dotted with ancient archaeological sites, including standing stones and burial mounds, providing a glimpse into Cornwall's rich past. Additionally, Middle Down is home to several small villages and hamlets, where visitors can discover charming cottages, local shops, and traditional pubs.

Overall, Middle Down, Cornwall offers a unique blend of downs and moorland, providing a diverse landscape for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Its natural beauty, coupled with its historical significance, makes it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Cornwall.

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Middle Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.953676/-6.3286929 or Grid Reference SV8914. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Plum Island Tresco View Across New Grimsby Harbour to Plum island  with the island of Bryher in the background and King Henry's Castle on the extreme right.
Plum Island Tresco
View Across New Grimsby Harbour to Plum island with the island of Bryher in the background and King Henry's Castle on the extreme right.
Gimble Porth This is just one of Tresco's many wonderful beaches.
Gimble Porth
This is just one of Tresco's many wonderful beaches.
A boat off the north of Tresco Taken in 2005 but only just being submitted, so I hope I have the view direction correct. Tresco is a wonderful peaceful island at any time of the year, but especially in Spring.
A boat off the north of Tresco
Taken in 2005 but only just being submitted, so I hope I have the view direction correct. Tresco is a wonderful peaceful island at any time of the year, but especially in Spring.
Red Squirrel at Tresco Abbey Gardens This squirrel seems delighted to have "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens.

The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role.

A mixture of twenty male and female red squirrels was released into Tresco’s woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s relative isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island; ten years on, without competition from the greys, the population of red squirrels on Tresco is booming.
Red Squirrel at Tresco Abbey Gardens
This squirrel seems delighted to have "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role. A mixture of twenty male and female red squirrels was released into Tresco’s woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s relative isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island; ten years on, without competition from the greys, the population of red squirrels on Tresco is booming.
Sciurus vulgaris. Tresco Abbey Garden A squirrel pauses whilst scampering up a tree, looking like he has been startled to see the group of visitors pointing their cameras at him. Close to one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens.

The Sciurus vulgaris, commonly known as the red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel, is a tree-dwelling rodent with an omnivorous diet. The decrease in the red squirrel population in Britain is frequently attributed to the arrival of the eastern grey squirrel from North America during the late 1800s. However, the destruction and division of its natural forest habitat have also contributed to this decline.

In September 2013, a group of twenty male and female red squirrels were introduced to the woodland area of Tresco. Since the island is relatively isolated, there are no grey squirrels present, which has allowed the red squirrel population to thrive without competition. Ten years later, the red squirrel population on Tresco is flourishing.
Sciurus vulgaris. Tresco Abbey Garden
A squirrel pauses whilst scampering up a tree, looking like he has been startled to see the group of visitors pointing their cameras at him. Close to one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The Sciurus vulgaris, commonly known as the red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel, is a tree-dwelling rodent with an omnivorous diet. The decrease in the red squirrel population in Britain is frequently attributed to the arrival of the eastern grey squirrel from North America during the late 1800s. However, the destruction and division of its natural forest habitat have also contributed to this decline. In September 2013, a group of twenty male and female red squirrels were introduced to the woodland area of Tresco. Since the island is relatively isolated, there are no grey squirrels present, which has allowed the red squirrel population to thrive without competition. Ten years later, the red squirrel population on Tresco is flourishing.
Carn Near Landing Stage, Tresco Visitors to Tresco disembarking from the ferry "Kingfisher" at the Carn Near landing point.
Carn Near Landing Stage, Tresco
Visitors to Tresco disembarking from the ferry "Kingfisher" at the Carn Near landing point.
Isles of Scilly, The Mare The Mare is the southernmost of the rocky islets just south of Tresco.
Isles of Scilly, The Mare
The Mare is the southernmost of the rocky islets just south of Tresco.
Tresco, Carn Near The southern tip of the island of Tresco.
Tresco, Carn Near
The southern tip of the island of Tresco.
Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Blue Footbridge near the Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Blue Footbridge near the Entrance to Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) A squirrel pauses having "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens.

The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role.

A group of twenty red squirrels, consisting of a mixture of males and females, was released into Tresco's woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island. As a result, the red squirrel population on Tresco is thriving.
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
A squirrel pauses having "liberated" a nut from one of the feeding stations near the entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens. The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent. The decline in red squirrel numbers in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America in the late nineteenth century, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat have also played a role. A group of twenty red squirrels, consisting of a mixture of males and females, was released into Tresco's woodland in September 2013. Thanks to Tresco’s isolation, there are no grey squirrels on the island. As a result, the red squirrel population on Tresco is thriving.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Path in Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Path in Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail) A closer look at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7590931">SV8914 : The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden</a> showing part of the intricate mosaic created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith.
Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail)
A closer look at SV8914 : The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden showing part of the intricate mosaic created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith.
The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden Set within the Mediterranean garden, the shell house is a hexagonal structure with a gabled roof and open front; it was created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith. It provides an excellent spot to shelter from the sun (or the wind or the rain!) or to simply admire its intricate mosaic.

See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7590926">SV8914 : Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail)</a> for a more detailed look at the mosaic.
The Shell House, Tresco Abbey Garden
Set within the Mediterranean garden, the shell house is a hexagonal structure with a gabled roof and open front; it was created by Lucy Dorrieu-Smith. It provides an excellent spot to shelter from the sun (or the wind or the rain!) or to simply admire its intricate mosaic. See SV8914 : Tresco Abbey Garden, The Shell House (detail) for a more detailed look at the mosaic.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Terrace Path, Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Terrace Path, Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
Tresco Abbey Garden
The ruins of an old Benedictine priory were the inspiration for Augustus Smith to create the magnificent gardens on Tresco which now attract thousands of visitors each year. He took over the lease of the Isles of Scilly in 1834 and realised that the mild frost-free climate was ideal for exotic plants that could not be grown anywhere else in Britain. Using Monterey Pine and Cypress trees to provide shelter from gales, the gardens were developed in the late 19th century and are still in the care of the same family. Today the garden is open to the public for an admission charge.
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Middle Down is located at Grid Ref: SV8914 (Lat: 49.953676, Lng: -6.3286929)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///reclusive.postings.boat. Near Tresco, Isles of Scilly

Related Wikis

Tresco, Isles of Scilly

Tresco (Cornish: Enys Skaw, lit. 'island of elder-trees') is the second-biggest island of the Isles of Scilly. It is 297 ha (1.15 sq mi) in area, measuring...

Old Blockhouse

The Old Blockhouse, also known as the Dover Fort, is a 16th-century fortification on the island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly. It was built between...

St Nicholas's Church, Tresco

St Nicholas's Church, Tresco, is a parish church in the Church of England located in Tresco, Isles of Scilly, UK. == History == Originally two old cottages...

RNAS Tresco

RNAS Tresco was a Royal Naval Air Service base on Tresco, the second largest island in the Isles of Scilly. From February 1917 to May 1919 aircraft patrolled...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.953676,-6.3286929
Ele: 32
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 49.9536893/-6.326662
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9553939/-6.3229883
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9558585/-6.3230197
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9564709/-6.3233402
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9573353/-6.3251093
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 49.9567298/-6.324218
Borough
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 49.9533007/-6.3250548
Middle Down
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 49.9523105/-6.3266343
Addr Housename: Pentle House
Lat/Long: 49.9506048/-6.325242
Bench
Lat/Long: 49.9561323/-6.323554
Borough Farm
Place: farm
Lat/Long: 49.9538311/-6.3257126
Rowes Field Tresco Substation
Brand: National Grid
Brand Wikidata: Q1465461
Operator: National Grid Electricity Distribution
Operator Old: Western Power Distribution
Operator Wikidata: Q7988183
Owner: National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) Plc
Owner Wikidata: Q114397866
Power: substation
Voltage: 11000
Lat/Long: 49.9502875/-6.3252845
Seamark Beacon Special Purpose Colour: yellow
Seamark Beacon Special Purpose Shape: pile
Seamark Type: beacon_special_purpose
Lat/Long: 49.9548371/-6.3227391
Seamark Beacon Special Purpose Colour: yellow
Seamark Beacon Special Purpose Shape: pile
Seamark Type: beacon_special_purpose
Lat/Long: 49.9562729/-6.3231254
Bench
Backrest: yes
Material: wood
Lat/Long: 49.957836/-6.3283627
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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