Samson Flats

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Cornwall

England

Samson Flats

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

Samson Flats, located in Cornwall, is a coastal marshland that encompasses the picturesque area known as Saltings. This unique landscape is characterized by its diverse flora and fauna, stunning views, and its importance as a habitat for numerous bird species.

Stretching along the coast, Samson Flats is a vast expanse of saltmarshes and mudflats that are influenced by tidal movements. The area is predominantly covered with salt-tolerant plants such as saltmarsh grasses, sea lavender, and thrift, which thrive in the brackish water conditions. These plants not only contribute to the beauty of the landscape but also play a crucial role in preventing coastal erosion and providing a habitat for various organisms.

The marshland is an important breeding and wintering ground for a wide range of bird species. It is particularly renowned for its abundance of wading birds, such as curlews, redshanks, and oystercatchers, which can be seen foraging along the muddy banks during low tide. The area also attracts migratory birds, including dunlins and godwits, during their journeys.

Samson Flats is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers who come to admire the stunning scenery and observe the rich wildlife. The marshland offers several walking trails and observation points, allowing visitors to explore the area while respecting the delicate ecosystem.

In addition to its ecological significance, Samson Flats holds historical and cultural importance. It has been used for centuries as grazing land and has witnessed human activities such as salt production and fishing.

Overall, Samson Flats, Cornwall, with its breathtaking views, abundant wildlife, and ecological importance, is a true gem for nature enthusiasts and a testament to the beauty of coastal marshlands.

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Samson Flats Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 49.934867/-6.3474977 or Grid Reference SV8812. 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.
A misty day on Bryher Not such a good day, weather wise as the mist was down over the island most of the day. This dull view is looking towards Hell Bay Hotel.
A misty day on Bryher
Not such a good day, weather wise as the mist was down over the island most of the day. This dull view is looking towards Hell Bay Hotel.
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.
Palm Trees at 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.
Palm Trees at 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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Samson Flats is located at Grid Ref: SV8812 (Lat: 49.934867, Lng: -6.3474977)

Division: Isles of Scilly

Unitary Authority: Isles of Scilly

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///nets.topples.balconies. Near Bryher, Isles of Scilly

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 49.934867,-6.3474977
North Hill
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 49.9368548/-6.3534433
Bar Point
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 49.9371697/-6.3502923
East Porth
Natural: bay
Source: OS Open Names
Lat/Long: 49.9333603/-6.3486963
Archaeological Site: tumulus
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 49.9361898/-6.3531768
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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