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 distinctly unimpressed. I had taken visitors in 2004 and their view was much the same. Then we went back in April 2006 and changed our minds. In 2003 little had been restored bar the lake. Now, although the walled gardens were still under restoration, all was immaculate - lake, Victorian boathouse, cascade, sunken Italian garden, lawns, serpentine yew tunnel, walled garden, bog garden and rockery. Trevarno is hardly Cornish, even a camellia we spotted was an unusual rich creamy colour. Nor indeed is it a garden in the conventional sense, rather it is an ornamental park - and a thoroughly delightful one at that.
Clearly Trevarno is a commercial exercise. Even before you get to the garden proper, you encounter a museum of gardening, a toy museum, a vintage soap collection and shops selling Trevarno soap and organic skin care products. In the house is a large (and good) gift shop and attached is a delightful tea room in a conservatory - with superb cakes and good cream teas. But don't let all this distract you from the delights of the garden, which will certainly repay at least a couple of hours visit.
Trevarno's Lake and Victorian Boathouse
UPDATE APRIL 2012: Bad News, owners have tried to sell Trevarno as a going concern but failed; the garden has closed. The Museum of Gardening should remain intact to open elsewhere. The Helston Railway, now with a station and a mile of track, should keep going. December 2020: No news, presumably still closed to public.
More in Gardens
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 Michelin Green Guide gives it a top three stars; and the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Finder offers a rave review. We first visited in early March 2003, at a time when little was out except a few spring shrubs - it was beautiful then. In 2004 we were there in early April and were overwhelmed by the beauty and sheer amount of colour. Trewithen is essentially a spring garden but is quite unlike many others in Cornwall, not in a coastal valley or ravine but on a well sheltered level inland site of some 35 acres, planted by George Johnstone in the early 20th century and now immaculately maintained by the Galsworthys, who have added a number of features including a viewing platform and a magnolia fountain. Since our 2003 visit a valley with a series of ponds has been opened up, cherries and heathers have been planted and new herbaceous borders are planned. There is an informative half-hour video and the tea room serves delicious fresh cakes and pastries. Because the house tour is so interesting and so well done, we recommend that the best time to visit is on a Monday or Tuesday in April or May to enjoy both the house and the spring garden at its best.
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 to Lamorna, we decided to include Trereife as well. Of the four, Trewoofe Orchard was the undoubted star, Chygurno the most remarkable, Trewoofe House pleasant but not outstanding, and Trereife a waste of time (with two honourable exception - the cafe and a cornish cross). A great bonus was bluebells everywhere.