Abbey Garden, on the island of Tresco, is one of the most magnificent gardens in the U.K.—or indeed anywhere. The Isles of Scilly’s mild, frost-free winters allow subtropical plants to thrive here; the gardens were once likened to London’s world-famous Kew Gardens “with the roof off.” It’s ablaze with exotic flowering succulents in yellow, pink, red, purple and blue, plus towering palm trees. Within the garden, don’t miss the Valhalla collection of 30 ships’ figureheads, all rescued from ships that perished on the rocky archipelago over the centuries.