Gardens of Cornwall
From Agaves to Rhododendrons and everything in between
Enjoying the warmth of the Gulf Stream, these magical Cornish gardens are home to a wealth of the most exciting, rare and beautiful plants and trees in the British Isles.
The creative genius of the early nineteenth-century Cornish garden owners, and their hunger and passion for exotica, led them to sponsor the great Victorian plant hunting expeditions. The seeds and plants which they brought back from all over the world helped create these unique examples of wild and magnificent living theatre.
Trebah Gardens
This beautiful 26 acre garden is listed among the 80 finest in the world. The steeply wooded ravine descends to a secluded beach on the Helford River.
A stream cascades over waterfalls and water gardens with ponds full of Koi carp and through two acres of massed blue and white hydrangeas. Huge 100 year old tree-ferns mingle with a forest of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias under a canopy of ancient oaks and beeches.
Truly a garden for all seasons. Open 10.30am to 5pm (last admission) Picture courtesy of Trebah.
Eden Project
With its distinctive white domes, the Eden Project is Cornwall's best-known tourist attraction. It is a rich, global garden where people can learn about nature and get inspiration about the world around them.
Eden is not just a day out in cornwall but an educational charity and social enterprise.
Lamorran House Gardens
A Mediterranean garden, set in the Roseland peninsula, surrounded by the sea and with extensive views out over Falmouth Bay.
Built in the Italianate manner, the four acre garden winding down the hillside to the sea, is home to a vast array of palm trees and subtropical plants.
A connoisseurs delight.
Open April to September
Glendurgan
National Trust owned. Sub-tropical valley garden running down to the Helford River. A lush and sheltered valley with carpets of native wild flowers, fine trees, rare and exotic plants.
Outstanding spring displays of magnolias and camellias.
Open 9th Feb - 1 Nov Tues-Sat. Also open Mondays in August & BH Mons.
Closed Good Friday.picture © National Trust
Godolphin
Evocative house and garden at the heart of an ancient estate.
House and garden newly acquired by the National Trust, reunifying the historic estate.
Garden has rare surviving remains of a medieval pattern, by-passed by changing fashions.
The estate is an archeological treasury that includes remains of tin and copper mines and some wonderful walking country.
Garden open 17 Mar - 2 Nov, 10 - 5, Mon-Sun. Please ring for opening hours. Tel: 012736 763194 picture © National Trust.
Lanhydrock
The great house of Cornwall. Magnificent late Victorian country house.
Large formal and woodland garden including Victorian parterre, stunning magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons.
Superb parkland setting in the Fowey valley, with miles of walks through woods and along the river.
National Trust Property.
Garden open year round, 10 -6. House open 15 Mar - 2 Nov 11-5.30 Tues-Sat. Also open Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays throughout August. Shop and refreshments available all year, tlephone for specific details on 01208 265950. Picture © National Trust
St Michael's Mount
An unmissable iconic island - ancient, romantic and breathtakingly beautiful.
Steep cobbled climb to the castle. Please use sensible footwear. Castle open 16 March - 2 November daily, except Saturday 10.30 - 5pm.
Gardens open weekdays May & June, Thurs & Friday Only July to October.
Picture © National Trust.
Trelissick
This National Trust property commands an outstanding position at the head of Carrick Roads.
Gardens on many levels with year-round colour and interest, Cornish apple orchard and traditional summerhouses.
Tender and exotic plants, camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and many rare hydrangeas.
Large estate has park, woodland and riverside walks, with panoramic views.
Park and Walks open year round.
Garden open limited hours in winter, and 10.30-5.30 1 Feb-2 Nov.
For a special day out arrive by boat from Falmouth, K&S Cruises 01326 211056. Picture © National Trust
Trengwainton
Very mild climate and renowned collection of trees & shrubs makes this a plantsman's dream garden.
Many species originate from plant hunting expeditions in the 1920's.
Some of the largest tree ferns in the West Country. Series of walled gardens with unique sloping beds.
Follow the stream and meandering paths up to terrace with summerhouses and breathtaking views over Mount's Bay.
Magnolia garden with champion specimens open during prime flowering period in early spring.
Open 10 February -2 November 10.30am -5pm Sunday - Thursday. Open Good Friday. picture © National Trust
Trerice
This beautiful Elizabethan manor house is secluded, intimate and evocative. A small and lovely architectural gem dating from 1572. Garden includes a traditional orchard with old varieties of fruit trees and Cornish apples.
House garden shop and tearoom open March 9 - 2 November 10.30am -5pm Sun-Fri. picture © National Trust
Trewithen
An historic private estate boasting one of the loveliest gardens in England
There is nowhere quite like Trewithen. With its magnificent collection of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias, its wonderful woodland walks and its age-old family home, Trewithen is a rare and unique Cornish gem.
A place once visited, impossible to forget…
Internationally renowned for its magnificent collection of rare trees and shrubs, the gardens at Trewithen are both stunningly beautiful and magically intriguing. Wander the gravelled paths, marvel at the astonishing array of colours, and breathe in the sensuous smells.
Trewithen’s gardens – one of only two in Cornwall to be awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide to the South West – cannot fail to impress. Set deep in the heart of Cornwall, stepping into Trewithen estate is like stepping back in time.
Great Gardens of Cornwall
A great resource for visitors planning a garden break as it has all the info in one place for a selection of the best known Cornish gardens and also includes events taking place at the various gardens and includes special offers from time to time too.
