Gardens
Cornwall's mild, wet climate nurtures some of Britain's greatest gardens — sub-tropical valleys, lost estates and spring-flowering woodland.
53 places reviewed by Oliver Howes
Showing 53 of 53
Antony Woodland Garden
We had been round Antony Woodland Garden previously but I got few photos then. On this occasion, in April 2007, I took plenty of photos, so I felt it was time for a report. Antony
Bonython Garden
The Bonythons are one of those ancient Cornish families that seem to have disappeared off the Cornish map. They had been at Bonython on the Lizard since the 10th century or earlier
Bosvigo Garden
It is relatively unusual to find a conventional summer garden in Cornwall. And there are very few town gardens open to the public. Bosvigo, however, is both summer and town garden,
Caerhays Castle Garden
This is Cornwall's most specialised - and probably best - spring garden. Open only mid-Feb to May it boasts the finest imaginable collection of camellias, azaleas, magnolias and rh
Carwinion Garden
In April 2008 we took advantage of a Western Morning News '2 for the price of 1' offer to visit a couple of spring gardens near Mawnan Smith in the general area between Falmouth an
Chygurno at Lamorna
In May 2008 we had a busy gardens day. There are three gardens in the Lamorna Valley - Chygurno, Trewoofe House and Trewoofe Orchard - and, since we would be passing it on the way
Cotehele Garden
The garden of Cotehele House is really two. Behind the house, on the west, is a relatively formal compartmented garden within the old walled garden, recently restored. Here is a po
Creed House Garden
This must surely be Cornwall's most self-effacing garden. Although open to booked groups and occasionally for charity, you will find little mention of it in the usual sources. And
Enys Garden near Penryn
In the same family since Norman times, and reputedly the first Cornish garden to receive public attention, Enys seems to be spoken of with something like awe. Garden writer Timothy
Glendurgan and Trebah revisited 2014
Living, as we do, 40 miles or so from Mawnan Smith, it is not often that we get to see the Helford River ravine gardens. However, a free pass to Trebah encouraged us that way and N
Glendurgan Garden
Cornwall's south coast is full of sub-tropical valley and ravine gardens, many created by the Falmouth Quaker ship-owning Fox family. Glendurgan was the work of Alfred Fox, nearby
Headland Garden at Polruan (July 2020 - House for sale, garden closed)
We had intended to visit the remarkable Headland Garden at Polruan for a long time. It was only when we learned that the garden at Readymoney Cove would be open during Fowey's 2006
Heligan Re-visited September 2014
We were lucky enough to have vouchers for free entry to Heligan and used them in mid-Septemer 2014. In a way we were glad that we didn't have to pay for entry as we were disappoint
Hidden Valley at Treesmill near Tywardreath
We first visted Hidden Valley Garden in July 2006 and were disappointed in what we saw. We had really visited too early in the garden's history as the Howards had only moved here f
Ince Castle at Trematon
In mid March 2009 we were heading for St. Mellion to visit the garden at Pentillie Castle which had featured in Channel 4's Country House Rescue and we were keen to see what had be
Ken-Caro Garden near Liskeard
Although Ken-Caro Garden is open from March for snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and camellias, followed by March and April magnolias and rhodos, we feel that this is really a summer
Ladock House Garden
We don't usually review private gardens that open only on one day a year (open also for groups by appointment) but we were so impressed by the garden at Ladock House, not far from
Lamorran House Garden
The jewel of Cornish coastal villages, and a long-standing favourite of ours, St. Mawes is an attractive small sailing resort on the Roseland peninsula, with its own sheltered harb
Lanhydrock Garden
Because, when we go to Lanhydrock, we usually go to walk the estate - in woodland and by the River Fowey - we tend to forget how lovely the garden is in spring. But on May Day 2006
Long Cross Victorian Garden
Long Cross Victorian Garden is not far from our home in Wadebridge - it is at Trelights, near Port Isaac - so a visit was long overdue when we went there in June 2006, after a walk
Marsh Villa near St. Blazey
The Stevens' ancestral farm has been turned into probably Cornwall's finest summer garden. Since 1985 Judith Stevens has gradually created a compartmented garden of great variety -
Morrab Gardens, Penzance
Morrab House was built in 1842, its land running down to the sea in Penzance, Indeed its Cornish name Morrep means "next to the sea". By the time Penzace Corporation purchased the
Mount Edgcumbe Gardens and Country Park
Edgcumbe Gardens and Country Park
Moyclare Garden, Liskeard
The name may seem a little unusual and somewhat un-Cornish, but for a good reason. The name derives from the original owner, Moira Read, and her Irish origins in County Clare. it i
Northwood Farm Water Garden near St. Neot
This is a most surprising place. The last thing you expect to find at around 700 feet, on the windswept heights of Bodmin Moor, is a luxuriant water garden filled with exotic plant
Old Mill Herbary at Helland Bridge
Herbary at Helland Bridge
Pencarrow Garden and Estate
We have been fans of Pencarrow - house, garden and estate - for so long that it surprises me that it is only after a visit in mid-May 2006 that I have got round to posting an item
Penjerrick
In April 2008 we took advantage of a Western Morning News '2 for the price of 1' offer to visit a couple of spring gardens near Mawnan Smith in the general area between Falmouth an
Pentillie Castle near St. Mellion
We learned about Pentillie Castle when we watched the Channel 4 TV series Country House Rescue. The Coryton family were advised about using their house and estate for a wedding and
Pine Lodge Garden and Pinetum Park
My original 2003 review of Pine Lodge
Pine Lodge Revisited 2008 to 2014
Lodge Revisited 2008 to 2014
Pinsla Garden
Compared with Cornwall's many major gardens, this one, Pinsla near Bodmin, is decidedly minor. When we went in mid October 2003 we were their only visitors. We rather enjoyed havin
Prideaux Place Garden
We had greatly enjoyed a house tour of Prideaux Place a few years ago. Later we learned that the gardens, which had disappointed us then, were under restoration under the aegis of
Probus Demonstration Garden
Describing itself as 'The Really Useful Garden', Probus Garden was established during the 1960s by Cornwall County Council. Its management was later taken over by the Friends of Pr
Readymoney Cove
Open only during Fowey's Daphne du Maurier Festival in the latter part of May, the Reads' private garden, right by the beach in Readymoney Cove, is a casual, lush delight. Where He
Roseland House Garden at Chacewater
We wouldn't go out of our way for this garden but, as an August 2007 Sunday NGS charity opening visit, it made a pleasant enough brief excursion. Essentially this is the Pridhams a
The 'Lost Gardens' of Heligan
Heligan
The Japanese Garden at St. Mawgan
Japanese Garden at St. Mawgan
Trebah and Glendurgan revisited 2014
revisited 2014
Trebah Garden
The renowned Fox family had a hand in the creation of many of Cornwall's finest gardens. Trebah, created by Charles Fox during the 1820s and 30s, is a casual and colourful semi-wil
Trebartha Estate
We already knew the area where the Trebartha Estate is, to the south-east of Bodmin Moor. Some years ago we had walked from North Hill, taking in Hawke's Tor and Trewortha Tor. In
Tregothnan, a great estate on the River Fal
The Boscawens acquired the estate in 1335 when John of Boscawen Ros in West Penwith married the Tregothnan heiress. The original manor house here, probably built by him, was severe
Tregrehan Garden
An under-rated and under-visited garden, close to St. Austell, Pine Lodge Garden and Heligan, Tregrehan is the ancestral home of the Carlyons. It is a garden of two main linked par
Trelissick Garden
Developed by half-a-dozen families over 200 years, Trelissick is now in the care of the National Trust. Though best known for rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias and hydrangeas, it
Trematon Castle - sadly was closed in 2019, probably closed 2020
This lovely garden is open three days a week during summer. We were lucky enough to be able to visit it on a lovely sunny day in early August 2017. Situated as it is in the far sou
Tremenheere Sculpture Garden
We visited Tremenheere (the name means Longstone Farm) on a mid-week day in August 2013. After the build-up it had received in Cornwall's Gardens and elsewhere, and its self-promot
Trengwainton Garden
Although situated some 400 feet above sea level in a part of Cornwall exposed to Atlantic gales, the garden is happily well sheltered. Created by Sir Edward Bolitho, Cornish banker
Trevarno Garden - 2020: unsure whether Trevarno open again to public
You learn eventually that you should not rely on first impressions, sometimes not on second impressions. We had visited Trevarno in 2003, not long after it opened and were distinct
Trewidden Garden
Visited in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2015
Trewithen Garden
This is one of Cornwall's most admired gardens. The government grants it official Historic Garden Grade II status; Good Gardens Guide awards it a top-ranking two stars; the Micheli
Trewoofe House in the Lamorna Valley
In May 2008 we had a busy gardens day. There are three gardens in the Lamorna Valley - Chygurno, Trewoofe House and Trewoofe Orchard - and, since we would be passing it on the way
Trewoofe Orchard in the Lamorna Valley
Orchard in the Lamorna Valley
Trist House Garden at Veryan
Trist House was built around 1830 by Samuel Trist, vicar of Veryan and son of the man who built the village's famed 'round houses'. Much of Samuel's garden had been lost when Graha