The gardens of south-west Cornwall are famous for growing plants normally found in more sub-tropical climates; this is thanks to the warm influence of the sea and the gulf-stream. As a consequence palm trees and tree ferns thrive along with many other sub-tropical plants not normally associated with these shores. The moist and mild air also provide ideal conditions for rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias more traditionally associated with Cornwall. The fact that most of the well-known gardens border the sea is therefore no accident and early garden designers took full advantage of the conditions they found here. Many of these gardens are now mature having been planted some 160 years ago and being the early benefactors of the many seeds and plants sent back from plant hunting expeditions in far flung parts of the world. Maria & Robert Dudley-Cooke Lamorran Garden
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RIVER GARDENS TREGOTHNAN 82 The UKs first tea plantation.
FALMOUTH
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Free fabulous gardens in Falmouth.
TRELISSICK
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Garden at the head of the Fal Estuary.
HELIGAN
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Sub-tropical gardens overlooking St Mawes.
CARWINION
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A renowned collection of bamboo and gardens.
GYLLYNGDUNE 84 Newly restored gardens.
ENYS GARDEN
84
Famous for its tranquility.
GLENDURGAN
85
Superb sub-tropical garden above the Helford River.
EDEN PROJECT 86 10 years ago this eco visitor attraction opened.
BURNCOOSE
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Award winning nurseries. 4000+ species.
CAERHAYS
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Spring gardens set in 60 acres of woodland.
LAMORRAN
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Sub-tropical gardens overlooking St Mawes. Lamorran Garden in St Mawes, get here on the ferry from Falmouth
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GETTING AROUND RIVER GARDENS Falmouth Gardens
Tregothnan
Tregothnan is the pioneer of the UK’s
discusses the fascinating history of
Three free fabulous gardens in Fal-
first tea plantations and has been home
the garden, its impressive collections
mouth well worth a visit: Kimberley
to the Boscawen family since 1335. Its
and exciting plans for the future, plus
Park, Fox Rosehill and Queen Mary.
private historic gardens and arboretum
finishing with a cream tea in our 19th
The latter two have the National Green
are the largest in Cornwall and are un-
century summer house.
Park Flag.
equalled, offering a diversity of plants
Tregothnan, St Michael Penkivel, Truro, TR2 4AJ
and trees, rare collections, sweeping
Telephone: 01872 520000
Falmouth, TR11 4NT
vistas and peaceful secluded groves.
www.tregothnan.co.uk
www.falriver.co.uk/gardens
During private tours, our Head Gardener
Near: Truro
On the map:E5 p120
In: Falmouth
On the map: p122
Get to the Trelissick Garden aboard Enterprise Boats
There’s only one way to arrive at Trelissick
Information Centre in Falmouth, Truro
Gardens and that’s by ferry from
Tourist Information Centre or the St
Falmouth, St Mawes or Truro.
Mawes Ticket office.
Enjoy a scenic cruise aboard aboard the
For flexibility and Hop-On Hop-Off
Enterprise Boats with full commentary.
travel grab a Fal Mussel Card Visitor
Regular services operate to the gardens
which allows you to travel around the
Enterprise Boats
from Easter to October and tickets can
river for just £16 a day. It will also give
Telephone: 01326 374 241
be purchased from The Fal River Visitor
you discounted entry to the gardens if
www.falriver.co.uk/eb
you are nto a National Trust Member. For more infomation see: Enterprise Boats, page 22
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Trelissick Gardens page 83
www.falriver.co.uk/gardens
RIVER GARDENS Trelissick - Surrounded by water on three sides...
For a really adventurous arrival – leave the car at home and travel to Trelissick by ferry from Falmouth, Truro or St Mawes.
Starting in a complex of former farm
many owners have made their mark
pick-up a bargain best-seller from our
buildings and garden walls, explore this
and built on the framework that their
second-hand bookshop. Home-cooked
elevated garden with its views of deep-
predecessors laid out before them.
snacks and lunches can be enjoyed in
wooded valleys and flashes of blue
Discover not one, but four, summerhouses
the bright and airy café or outside in
water. Trelissick sits on its own peninsula
dotted around the garden, find the perfect
the sunshine of the courtyard. Come
in an unspoiled stretch of the Fal River.
place to picnic in the sheltered garden,
to Trelissick on a Sunday for a locally
Picturesque planting is heightened by
explore the magical Cryptomeria tree on
sourced roast dinner in the
the folding contours and the informal
the main lawn and get close to nature
atmospheric barn.
wooded setting. There are places in both
on the riverside woodland walks. Find
Feock, Truro, TR3 6QL
sun and shade to discover a wide range of
unique gifts and souvenirs in the art and
Telephone: 01872 862090
plants growing and also to sit down and
craft galleries, take home a living memory
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick
recharge the batteries. All of Trelissick’s
of Trelissick from the plant centre or
Near: King Harry Ferry
www.falriver.co.uk/gardens
DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO ALL FAL MUSSEL CARD HOLDERS. More details on
www.falriver.co.uk/mussel
On the map: A5 p120
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GETTING AROUND RIVER GARDENS Heligan Garden
Heligan, seat of the Tremayne family
Today “Britain’s Finest Garden” offers
Wildlife Project offering visitors a close-
for more than 400 years, is one of the
over 200 acres for exploration, from
up view of native wildlife.
most mysterious estates in England.
Victorian Productive Gardens and the
At the end of the nineteenth century
surrounding Pleasure Grounds to a sub-
“Heligan is so much more than just a garden, it’s a place in the soul”
its thousand acres were at their zenith,
tropical Jungle valley brimming with
Tim Smit
but only a few years after the Great War
exotic foliage; woodland and farm walks
Pentewan, St Austell, PL26 6EN
of 1914 bramble and ivy were already
through beautiful Cornish countryside,
Telephone: 01726 845100
drawing a green veil over this ‘Sleeping
where sustainable management practices
www.heligan.com
Beauty’.
promote diverse habitats and a pioneering
Carwinion House & Garden
Gyllyngdune Gardens
/thelostgardens
@heligangardens
Enys Gardens Open: 1st April to 30th Sept, Tues, Thurs
Wander among Carwinion’s 14 acres of
Discover the newly restored heritage
Thought to be the oldest garden in
tranquil, unmanicured garden, home to
gardens by the sea. Covered Edwardian
Cornwall. Famous for its bluebells and
one of the country’s most impressive
veranda, bandstand, play area, unique shell
tranquil atmosphere. Many varieties of
bamboo collections, and relax with a
grotto and year round programme of
plants and shrubs to be seen throughout
home made cream tea on the terrace.
events for all the family. Free Admission.
the season.
Carwinion, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth TR11 5JA
Princess Pavilion, 41 Melvill Rd, TR11 4AR
Penryn, TR10 9LB
Telephone: 01326 250258
Telephone: 01326 211222
Telephone: 01326 259885
www.carwinion.co.uk
www.gyllyngdunegardens.co.uk
www.enystrust.org.uk
In: Falmouth
In: Penryn
Near: Falmouth
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On the map: A10 p120
On the map: p122
On the map: A10 p120
www.falriver.co.uk/gardens
RIVER GARDENS Glendurgan – a small piece of heaven on earth
Lose yourself in the three valleys of Glendurgan Garden, full of fun, natural beauty and amazing plants. Over a hundred years ago this garden inspired its creators, Quakers Alfred and Sarah Fox, to describe it as a ‘small piece of heaven on earth’ and both the peace and the heavenly side of the garden are enjoyed by visitors of all ages today. www.falriver.co.uk/gardens
Discover giant rhubarb plants living in
Enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea
the jungle-like lower valley and spiky
at Glendurgan Tea House – specialising
arid plants basking in the sunny upper
in organic, local produce.
slopes. Explore the 180 year-old cherry laurel maze and get airborne on the
Come to Glendurgan as a base for walking
‘Giant’s Stride’. Wander through the
the coastal footpaths and inland wooded
garden down to the beautiful hamlet of
valleys of the fascinating and beautiful
Durgan on the Helford River – a place
North Helford countryside.
to watch birds and boats, skim stones
Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, TR11 5JZ
and build sandcastles. Find the maze
Telephone: 01326 252020
viewing platform, gigantic ‘tulip-trees’
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glendurgan
and ponds teeming with wildlife.
Near: Mawnan Smith
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GETTING AROUND RIVER GARDENS The Eden Project Book online to save 15%
Described as the eighth wonder of the
high! Stroll past lemon and olive trees,
There’s always plenty to do at Eden, with
world, the Eden Project is a global garden
vines and perfumed herbs on a colourful
our seasonal events programme, kids’
for the 21st century. Discover the story of
sensory journey taking in the Mediter-
activities and ever-changing exhibits.
plants that have changed the world and
ranean, South Africa and California.
“Paradise found” The Sunday Mirror
which could change your future. Explore over 30 acres of outdoor planting
Bodelva, St Austell, PL24 2SG
Experience the sights, smells and sheer
growing here under the warm Cornish sun,
Telephone: 01726 811911
scale of the largest rainforest in captivity,
not to mention world-class art installations
www.edenproject.com
with a tree canopy almost 50 metres
and unique sculpture across the site.
Burncoose Nurseries
Caerhays Castle
Burncoose Nurseries - award winning
Holder of the National Magnolia Col-
Williams family are associated with
nurseries stocking rare and unusual
lection, these beautiful spring gardens
world wide.
plants. Choose from over 4000+ plants.
are set in 60 acres of woodland. Visi-
/theedenproject
@edenproject
tors will see some of the magnificent selection of plants brought back from Gwennap, Redruth, TR16 6BJ
China and the Far East by the intrepid
Caerhays Estate Office, Gorran, PL26 6LY
Telephone: 01872 501310
plant hunters of the early 1900s along
Telephone: 01872 500025
www.burncoose.co.uk
with a wide range of rhododendrons
www.caerhays.co.uk
In: Redruth
and camellias which Caerhays and the
Near: St Austell
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On the map: K6 p121
www.falriver.co.uk/gardens
RIVER GARDENS Lamorran Garden
Lamorran Garden is on a four acre south
Situated on the Roseland Peninsula, these
ter garden in Japanese style as well as
facing hillside with the sea and St Anthony’s
sub-tropical gardens thrive in a favourable
temples and archways. Open April to
Head with its lighthouse as the backdrop.
microclimate. There is a diverse range of
September, Wednesdays and Fridays,
This is an intimate garden, the visitors
plants from all over the world, planted to
10am to 5pm.
having to go and find new areas of the
create a garden very much in the mould
garden through archways and curving
of Mediterranean gardens but with ever
Upper Castle Rd, St Mawes, TR2 5BZ
gravel paths.
present running water in the many pools
Telephone: 01326 270800
and streams. There is a woodland, a wa-
www.lamorrangarden.co.uk Near: St Mawes
On the map: p123
Get to the Lamorran Garden aboard the St Mawes Ferry
before returning to Falmouth.
Arrive at Lamorran Garden by ferry
& Pendennis castles, Black Rock, St
from Falmouth and see the gardens from
Anthony Lighthouse and many other
a different angle.
points of interest including dolphins
For more infomation see:
and seals if you’re lucky.
St Mawes Ferry, page 16 Lamorran Garden above
The St Mawes ferry operates between Falmouth and St Mawes, 7 days a
When you arrive in St Mawes, Lamorran
week, 364 days a year.
Hop aboard
Gardens is only a short ten minute
St Mawes Ferry
in Falmouth and enjoy the scenic 20
walk up the road. After you explore the
Telephone: 01872 861 917
minute crossing passing St Mawes
gardens enjoy a coffee on the terrace
www.falriver.co.uk/smf
www.falriver.co.uk/gardens
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