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 from Yorkshire in 1999 and had spent most of the intervening period clearing and preparing the scrubby and water-logged site. In 2011 our friend Nicole visited with her garden club and enthused about Hidden Valley. So, on August bank holiday weekend we decided to see for ourselves. We were delighted that we did because this time we enthused, too. It is not a large garden but its four acres are full of colour and interest. We particularly enjoyed the hot border and oval bed (see photo) and the banks of massed dahlias. We were too late for the iris garden but liked its new well house. The garden is open on three August days for the NGS. Then and during the Du Maurier Festival in nearby Fowey in May they serve cream teas; otherwise it's make your own tea. Plants for sale are good and have been raised by Tricia Howard in their own nursery. In season there are blackcurrants and raspberries to self-pick. The moderate entry charge allows free return during the rest of the year. There are two well-rated self catering holiday apartments. We enjoyed Hidden Valley this time and again in April 2012.
The hot border and the oval bed
Nearby in Par you should also visit Marsh Villa.
More in Gardens
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 been done to the landscape garden. On the way we heard on the car radio that nearby Ince Castle garden was open for the NGS so, after lunch, we visited Ince as well. We were delighted that we did as, unlike Pentillie's party restored landscape, this was a proper garden. Ince Castle - not really a castle - was built around 1650 by Henry Killigrew and is now the home of Lord and Lady Boyd. Their garden, overlooking the River Lynher, is approached by a long drive, lined by daffodils when we visited. It is generally level and easy to get around (unlike Pentillie). The garden surrounds the house, with lovely woodland to its south-west. At our visit, outstanding features were the magnolias, hellebores, camellias and daffs. To the south side is a formal garden with shrubs. From here you can see Antony Woodland Garden across the river. In 2009 the garden was open one day a month, for the NGS, from March to July and should be worth seeing in each month. Simple teas are done by the local WI, there is ample parking but the toilets are a little difficult to find.
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 garden. So we made our first visit in late July 2006, the time of year when the hostas, astlibes, day lilies, ligularias, hydrangeas and herbaceous plants have come into their own.
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 Trewithen Garden, that we just had to include a description and a photo. The occasion was a late April 2007 opening under the worthy National Gardens Scheme. When the Holborrows came to this former rectory in the 1960s, it wasn't only the house that was in need of loving care. The garden was something of an overgrown jungle and, in due course, the woodland was thinned and scrub removed. This being Cornwall, and the soil somewhat acid, major planting was of rhodos and azaleas. Paths lead through what is now relatively light woodland, revealing all the time more enticing views of the fine collection of rhodos and azaleas. Thanks to a few hedges, the impression is rather of a compartmented garden, though much less so than Sissinghurst or Hidcote. The range of colour is surprisingly wide, and there are even several yellow rhodos, amongst our great favourites. Timing of this opening was good, not just for the shrubs but also for the bluebell walk, still lovely if rather colonised by white alium. We spent over 1� hours wandering then enjoyed a good tea, and a pleasant chat with the owners, in the sheltered courtyard.