Gardens

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 we also paid due atention to the garden which really comes in three parts. Above the house is a Spring Hillside Garden, full of fine rhodos, azaleas, camellias and magnolias. At the level back of the house and church are more spring shrubs and new herbaceous beds. At the front and side of the house are lawns, clipped yews and seasonal formal beds. On our visit the beds set colourful tulips within drifts of forget-me-nots, a delight. As ever with the National Trust, maintenance is immaculate, despite the numbers that come to enjoy the house, garden and estate. If you do visit, allow time not just for house and garden but also for a walk down the Avenue and along the river from Respryn Bridge. There is a restaurant, entered from the courtyard at the side of the house. In the same courtyard there is also a caf�. Car parking is quite some way from the house though disabled drivers can park nearer. At one time there used to be a vintage chauffeur driven Rolls Royce which operated a shuttle service for a small charge; now a buggy provides regular service btween house and main car park.

Formal tulip beds by Lanhydrock house

More in Gardens

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 along the coast path from Pentireglaze Farm to Port Quin. Cornwall's north coast is a notoriously difficult place to create a garden - exposure to salt-laden winds off the Atlantic ensure that. So it was quite a feat when Captain Allardyce succeeded in making the garden around his Victorian home high above the sea. It must have taken him a long time, too, creating a shelter belt with Monterey Pines and planting hedging to protect individual compartments.

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 - she was still working on a new rock garden when we were there in April and July 2006. Specimen trees and escallonia hedges are carefully planted to lead from one area to another - a colourfully bordered Square Garden, a Sunken Garden, underplanted light woodland, a large pond with waterlilies and a path all round. Beyond the main garden, marshland is being reclaimed and paths cut through it. Mrs Stephens is always happy to chat with visitors. Mr. Stevens gives entertaining introductory talks and will give guided tours. A lovely garden, worth visiting time and again. Marsh Villa can be a little difficult to find, hidden as it is between St. Blazey, Par and Tywardreath. It is probably best to approach from the A390, turning south at the St. Blazey traffic lights, then left at the cross roads for about 600 yards. The garden is on your left just before the railway. Parking is ample and there are light refreshments near the entrance to the garden.

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 property in 1888 there were already extensive gardens. In 1904 a South African War Memorial was erected in the gardens and in 1905 the bandstand was built; both have been restored recently Nearby are a pool and fountain. There was originally a tall Cornish Cross near the house but this now stands near the entrance of Penlee House Museum and Gallery at the other end of Morrab Road. The garden, since the early 20th century has been known for its Mediterranean and sub-tropical plants. There are also regular herbaceous borders and island beds. When one considers the financial constraints placed on councils like Penzance the gardens are well tended and a very pleasant place to wander.