A Guide to Cornwall’s Gardens
Strolling along the paths or across the grass, breathing in the scents and admiring the different colours and textures – visiting a garden is the perfect way to relax on holiday. Cornwall, with its mild climate and varied landscape, is home to some of Britain’s most beautiful gardens.
Here’s a look at some of the gardens you can visit while you’re staying in Cornwall.
National Trust Gardens in Cornwall
There’s a varied collection of National Trust properties in Cornwall, including some absolutely glorious gardens. From the (enviably organised) kitchen gardens of Trengwainton near Penzance to the fragrant bluebell woods at Godolphin near Helston, there are so many different types of gardens to choose from.
Families love a trip to Glendurgan with its traditional maze and River Fal beach. The other Fal-side garden, Trelissick, has sweeping views and plenty of paths to explore. Penrose Estate (again near Helston) is another perfect place for a stroll or a cycle ride. Discover gardening on the edge with a walk around the near-vertical terraced gardens of St Michael’s Mount.
Naturally, Cornwall’s National Trust stately homes also have exquisite gardens and extensive parkland. Wander around the knot garden and orchard at Trerice or hire a bike to explore the sprawling Lanhydrock Estate. Further up Cornwall, Antony has a Repton-designed garden and an outdoor sculpture collection.
Find out more by visiting National Trust Cornwall Gardens & Parks.
National Trust Properties in Cornwall
The Great Gardens of Cornwall is a group of independent gardens, established 30 years ago to share visitor initiatives and best practice. It‘s made up from the most incredibly diverse group of gardens you can imagine, from the mighty Eden Project to the unique tea-growing estate at Tregothnan.
We always enjoy a sunny afternoon at Trebah near Falmouth, a subtropical garden that’s brilliantly dog and family-friendly. The Lost Gardens of Heligan is quite rightly one of the most popular days out in Cornwall, and we also love the lesser-known gardens like lovely Trewidden near Penzance.
Planting and art combine to great effect at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens (also Penzance), where you can also pick up a plant from Chelsea Gold-winning nursery Surreal Succulents. If you’re an admirer of succulents, visit them in situ at the Minack Theatre gardens (book a Theatre & Garden ticket via the Minack website).
For the full list of members and how to visit them, take a look at The Great Gardens of Cornwall website.
Secret Gardens in Cornwall
If you love to explore new places and discover hidden gems, try some of these gorgeous gardens. Tanglewood Wild Gardens is a wildlife haven of natural gardens and woods near Penzance, set around four ponds. There’s more than a sprinkle of magic here for younger visitors…
Explore the 30 acres and spectacular plant collection at Pinetum Gardens in St Austell or try the historic gardens at Enys near Penryn, where the estate is currently being painstakingly restored.
The gardens at Pencarrow House near Bodmin are one of the best places to walk your dog, and are free for under sixteens to visit. If you’re wanting to escape the bustle for a while, the elegant Japanese Garden at St Mawgan is a beautifully tranquil place to pause and take a breath.
To see some truly original gardens, keep an eye on the National Gardens Scheme website. Owners open their own private gardens to raise money for charity, and last year there were over 70 private gardens to visit in Cornwall under this excellent scheme.
Free Gardens in Cornwall
We’re also lucky to have a selection of free-to-visit gardens in Cornwall, such as the lovely Fox Rosehill Gardens in Falmouth. The Fox family gave the garden to the town after the Second World War, and its exotic planting is thanks to Falmouth sea captains who brought specimens home to donate. Victoria Gardens in Truro were planted to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. It’s a proper, traditional British park, complete with bandstand, benches and fountain.
Morrab Gardens in Penzance also has a bandstand and a fountain (look out for newts), as well as spectacular subtropical plants. Just across the road, Penlee Park is a tree-filled oasis in the town, with a great playground and bookable tennis courts. If you’re in high-season Newquay, escape the busy beaches for a stroll around Trenance Gardens with their pretty planting and boating lake.
Our own favourite free garden is Trewyn Garden in St Ives, a sheltered little park near the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Gardens (not free, but definitely another to add to your list!). Buy a picnic lunch in St Ives then head up the path by Barclays Bank to the tranquil subtropical gardens.
See the gardens for yourself
Treat yourself to a stay in one of our holiday cottages in Cornwall and see these beautiful gardens for yourself. And with everything from stylish balconies to family-friendly lawns, most of our luxury Cornish properties have their own idyllic outside spaces for you to en
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