Cornwall’s mild coastal environment has resulted in some of the country’s most magnificent gardens. The famous gardens of Cornwall, which date back to the nineteenth century and were created on the fruits of Victorian plant hunting trips, are the most well-known. However, there is a lot of variation here as well. Even the most devoted landscaper will find something of appeal, from forest gardens to sculpted parks to subtropical glades. Gardens bloom here considerably earlier in the season than you would expect. The variety of exotic plants will amaze you – particular gardens will take you to South Africa, Chile, Australia, or even the Balearic Islands! These are the best gardens in Cornwall.
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The 18 Best Gardens to Visit in Cornwall
When it comes to gardens in Cornwall, nothing beats the sub-tropical paradises and picture-perfect paths that captivate visitors of all ages. Cornwall is well-known for its coastlines and breathtaking coastal scenery. However, the county also has some fantastic gardens where locals and visitors alike explore stunning landscapes filled with native Cornish flora and exotic species from all over the globe. Here are our best gardens to visit in Cornwall to get you started!
TOP GARDEN TO VISIT
Discover a world of wonder with an entry ticket to the Eden Project. Explore this former mine that has been transformed into a diverse range of gardens, indoor forests, and interactive exhibits. Get your skip the line tickets here!
Map of Gardens to visit in Cornwall
You can also see the map here.
1. Visit The Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project in Cornwall was once a barren wasteland – a former clay mine with no soil or plants. They turned this massive crater into a stunning worldwide garden, setting the scene for an unforgettable day out. You’ll rediscover the natural world as you’ve never seen it before. Explore massive, covered Biomes to journey through the world’s biggest indoor rainforest and immerse yourself in the Mediterranean Biome’s soothing fragrance. Extensive Outdoor Gardens, modern artworks, theatre, and storytelling are available. Discover places to relax, play, eat, and take home inspired ideas on how to care for the earth that cares for you.
You can prebook your ticket here.
- Address of The Eden Project: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, United Kingdom, PL24 2SG
- Opening times of The Eden Project: The Eden Project is open from 9:15 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Sunday.
- Biome opening hours: The Biomes open half an hour after the ticket booths open in the morning. The afternoon’s final access to the Biomes is half an hour before Eden closes. They must sometimes shut one of the Biomes for essential gardening maintenance or private occasions. The Mediterranean Biome will shut at 4.30 pm, with the final entry at 4 pm.
- Cost to enter The Eden Project: Tickets to the Eden Project are priced seasonally.
- Adult: Standard £38
- Student: Standard £32.50
- Child (aged 5-16): Standard £12
- Child (aged 0–4): FREE all year round
Why not stay overnight at the Eden Project?
If you fancy making your visit to the Eden Project extra special, then why not stay overnight? The YHA Eden Project has been redesigned for 2022 as a camping and glamping location, perfect for you to reconnect with nature during your vacation and available for the Eden Sessions music events too. There are quirky Airstreams, bell tents, and Landpods available for hire, and accommodation where you can sleep under the stars in style.
These are stunning and unique places to stay at the Eden Project – and camping in the forest here will give you a unique break from modern life in the heart of some of Europe’s most beautiful woodland. Accommodation at the YHA Eden Project books out quickly, so you’ll need to reserve early!
2. Explore The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Step back in time and indulge yourself in Europe’s largest garden restoration, where you will find a world of romance, nostalgia, and adventure. The Lost Gardens of Heligan were rediscovered from the folds of time twenty-five years ago. Heligan is still one of the most adored and romantic gardens in the UK, admired for its beauty and mystery and the ground-breaking restoration effort. Over 200 acres have been transformed into a haven for explorers, animal enthusiasts, plant enthusiasts, and garden romantics, and it’s one of our best views in Cornwall. The Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Grounds beckon along meandering walkways put out over two centuries ago. The Jungle brings you through bamboo tunnels and under majestic tree ferns, huge rhubarb, and bananas. At the same time, the estate unveils a forgotten world of traditional and rare breeds, animals, and old woods. Heligan is a garden for all seasons, so whether you come in the hazy bustle of mid-summer or the quiet of winter, you will have a one-of-a-kind experience.
Visiting the Lost Gardens of Heligan is one of the best things to do in our guide to St Austell, which you can read here.
- Address of The Lost Gardens of Heligan: Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, Saint Austell, United Kingdom, PL26 6EN
- Opening times of The Lost Gardens of Heligan: The Lost Gardens of Heligan are open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the final admission at 4:30 pm.
- Cost to enter The Lost Gardens of Heligan: Main Season – April 1st – October 31st
- Adult – £22.50
- Child (5-17 Years) – £9.50
- Child (Under 5) – Free
- Family Garden Admission (1 Adult & up to 3 Children) – £45
- Family Garden Admission – (2 adults & up to 3 children) – £58
- Student – £12
- Carer/Personal Assistant – Free
3. Visit Glendurgan Gardens, Cornwall
Stroll down the relaxing, fascinating, and playful valley to a secluded beach at the bottom. Glendurgan has three valleys to explore, each one full of fun, informality, natural beauty, and fantastic vegetation. The lower valley’s jungle-like greenery and exotic flowers flourish, while the top banks are sun-loving. Thousands of wildflowers cover the sloping walls of this mountainous valley in the spring. A stroll through the garden leads to the untouched hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River, where you may observe birds and boats, skim stones, and make sandcastles. Walking back up from Durgan, you’ll come across a boat seat, a massive tulip tree, and wildlife-filled ponds. You may also read about the Fox family, who built this “little piece of paradise on earth.” For nearly 180 years, people have been puzzled by the labyrinth. Visit, and you might be the first to get to the centre of this living puzzle.
- Address of Glendurgan Gardens: Glendurgan Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, United Kingdom, TR11 5JZ
- Opening times of Glendurgan Gardens: Glendurgan Gardens is open Monday to Sunday from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm.
- Cost to enter Glendurgan Gardens: Free entry for National Trust members.
- Adult: Gift Aid £11.00, Standard £10.00
- Child: Gift Aid £5.50, Standard £5.00
- Family: Gift Aid £27.50, Standard £25.00
- 1 adult, 3 children: Gift Aid £16.50, Standard £15.00
4. Visit Trelissick Gardens, Cornwall
A welcoming garden on an estate with fantastic sea views and beautiful forest paths. Trelissick is located on its own peninsula, with stunning views of the Fal estuary. The beach here is amazing and the perfect place for a picnic or a long afternoon snooze. Explore the winding trails through the garden, which lead to exotic species and colourful herbaceous borders. Trelissick provides forest walks through dappled sunshine and over open parks with views down the estuary to the town of Falmouth for those bringing four-legged friends. Trelissick has its own art gallery maintained by the Cornwall Crafts Association and features a diverse selection of work by Cornish artists. Crofters Café serves a delectable selection of light snacks, hot lunches, afternoon cream teas, and packed lunches for children, all made with seasonal and local ingredients. There is a National Trust store and plant sales, a second-hand bookshop and six of the finest National Trust vacation homes situated on the Trelissick estate. Trelissick is easy to reach from Truro, as it’s less than 5 miles from there. You can also take the boat from Falmouth to Trelissick – it’s one of our favourite things to do in Falmouth.
- Address of Trelissick Gardens: Trelissick Gardens, Feock, Truro, United Kingdom, TR3 6QL
- Opening times of Trelissick Gardens: Trelissick Gardens is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Cost to enter Trelissick Gardens: Parking and entry are free for National Trust members.
- Adult: Gift Aid £14.30, Standard £13.00
- Child: Gift Aid £7.20, Standard £6.50
- Family: Gift Aid £35.80, Standard £32.50
- 1 adult, up to 3 children (aged 5-17): Gift Aid £21.50, Standard £19.50
5. Visit Trengwainton Gardens
Exotic trees and bushes flourish in this sheltered garden. In this warm and lush garden, you may walk in the footsteps of 1920s plant hunters and view species that bloomed for the first time in Britain. Award-winning magnolias and rhododendrons are still nurtured by individuals who care about their beauty and fascinating narrative. Five areas of walled gardens are loaded with fragile exotic plants from all over the globe. A half-mile ascent leads to views of Mount’s Bay from winding forested trails, and the road descent is framed by a stream garden and expansive grasslands. There’s also a kitchen garden designed to be the size of Noah’s Ark. Dogs on leashes are welcome in the garden.
- Address of Trengwainton Garden: Trengwainton Garden, Madron, Penzance, Cornwall, TR20 8RZ
- Opening times of Trengwainton Garden: Trengwainton Garden is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Cost to enter Trengwainton Garden:
- Adult: Gift Aid £11.00, Standard £10.00
- Child: Gift Aid £5.50, Standard £5.00
- Family: Gift Aid £27.50, Standard £25.00
- 1 adult, 3 children: Gift Aid £16.50, Standard £15.00
6. Explore the Godolphin Estate Gardens in Cornwall
A historic estate featuring a medieval garden and a historic house. Explore Godolphin, which is rich in archaeology and animals. Travel back in time as you stroll around the 16th-century garden, one of Europe’s most notable historic gardens. Explore the larger estate, including the Leeds engine house and stack and the remnants of the Godolphin family mine. Don’t miss Godolphin Hill, located in the estate’s south-westerly reaches. You can take in some of Cornwall’s greatest vistas, including St. Ives Bay to the north and the iconic St Michael’s Mount to the south. Disappear into the dark and serene woods, where years of mining have produced an odd, undulating terrain.
- Address of Godolphin Garden: Godolphin Garden, Godolphin Cross, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 9RE
- Opening times of Godolphin Garden: Godolphin Garden is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Cost to enter Godolphin Garden:
- Adult: Gift Aid £11.00, Standard £10.00
- Child: Gift Aid £5.50, Standard £5.00
- Family: Gift Aid £27.50, Standard £25.00
- 1 adult, 3 children: Gift Aid £16.50, Standard £15.00
Godolphin Gardens is one of our recommended gardens to visit if you’re visiting Helston, there’s more on what to do in Helston in our guide here.
7. Explore Trebah Gardens in Cornwall
Discover the beauty of this subtropical Cornish Garden, rich in tradition, creativity, and the spirit of innovation. Four miles of trails run through brilliant exotic planting, whisking you away from this small piece of England and into brighter places. Trebah Gardens’ very own private beach and the numerous hidden sites waiting to be found in the yard provide the ideal retreat for people of all ages. Trebah is the perfect place for both family activities and peaceful solitude, with guests enjoying the inspirational settings and unique events all year round, thanks to its unique outdoor theatre and lots of specific areas for young children and four-legged buddies.
- Address of Trebah Gardens: Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, United Kingdom, TR11 5JZ
- Opening times of Trebah Gardens: Trebah Garden Garden is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm.
- Cost to enter Trebah Gardens: Admission price starting March 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022
- Adult: £13.00
- Child (5-15yrs): £6.50
- Child (under 5yrs): Free
- Groups: Pre-booked parties of 12 or more get a discount
8. Visit Pencarrow Gardens in Cornwall
Pencarrow Gardens in Cornwall has formal landscaping as well as old forests. There’s a lot to see and do, and with so much diversity, ideal for family days out in Cornwall. Pencarrow offers short and long circular walks, some of which are wheelchair accessible. Kids go free at Pencarrow, making it one of the few free things to do for kids in Cornwall! The gardens are lovely in any season, and the Snowdrops are particularly lovely. Sundays in February are popular, but the main flower season comes in March with a spectacular display of camellias and rhododendrons (more than 400 varieties). Bluebells and wild garlic blanket the woods in May and June. The Memorial Garden puts on a spectacular summer show. You may appreciate the hydrangeas and old trees on the turn throughout the fall, making these gardens ever-changing and always entertaining. The Iron Age hill fort, the buried Italian Garden with a quatrefoil fountain, the icehouse, palm house, and old Cornish cross are all remarkable attractions. At Pencarrow, they also have a cave that is said to have been a secret meeting spot. Visiting Pencarrow is one of the best things to do in Bodmin.
- Address of Pencarrow Gardens: Pencarrow Gardens, Washaway, Bodmin, United Kingdom, PL30 3AG
- Opening times of Pencarrow Gardens: The gardens are open daily from 10:00 am. to 5:00 pm till October 31, 2022. The house is accessible for guided visits daily (except Saturdays) until October 28th. They do not accept reservations, but you must book a tour when you arrive. The first tour of the home will begin at 11.15 am., followed by 45-minute intervals until the final tour at 3:00 pm.
- Cost to enter Pencarrow Gardens:
- Adults: House and Gardens £14.00, Gardens Only £7.50
- 5 to 16-year-olds: House and Gardens £5.00, Gardens Only FREE
- Under 5’s: House and Gardens FREE, Gardens Only FREE
- Registered disabled: House and Gardens £12.00, Gardens Only £6.00
9. Visit Pinetum Gardens, Cornwall
Discover Pinetum Gardens in the heart of St Austell, a place of serenity, peace, and stunning garden landscape. This family-owned garden provides an intimate experience with a personal touch that is uncommon in our fast-paced world. This 30-acre garden has been lovingly built over the last four decades and has one of the county’s biggest plant collections. Set in beautiful countryside, twelve uniquely themed garden rooms house a variety of plants. They also have some of the most beautiful champion trees in the country. This 30-acre estate has numerous gardens inside one, providing a lovely backdrop for over 6000 different varieties of plants, most of which are labelled. Pinetum is a botanical joy for gardeners, a delightful getaway for hikers, and a place for families to explore and have fun with nature.
- Address of Pinetum Gardens: Pinetum Gardens, Holmbush, St Austell, United Kingdom, PL25 3RQ
- Opening times of Pinetum Gardens: From April until September, the Garden will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm., with the last entry at 4:00 pm. While on October to March, The Garden is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the final entry at 2:00 pm.
- Cost to enter Pinetum Gardens: All tickets enjoy free return within seven days.
- Adult (16+): £15.00
- Children (11-15): £7.50
- Under 11’s: Free Entry
- Gardeners World Offer 2 for 1 (between 10 am and 12 am): £15.00
If you want to make your visit to Pinetum Gardens extra special why not stay on after the visitors have gone? Pinetum Gardens Holiday Cottages have 8 luxurious estate cottages where you can stay and enjoy the gardens to your heart’s content. Check the different options available here.
10. Visit Trewidden Gardens in Cornwall
This stunning 15-acre garden, initially established by Thomas Bolitho in the 19th century, has a vivid variety of over 300 Magnolias and Camellias that sit near a large tree fern dell. A network of trails will bring you to various regions of this calm Cornish Garden, ornamented with shrubs and champion trees, some of which are over 100 years old. These attractions are shown with uncommon plant species that are not commonly farmed in this nation. The Trewidden Trail is very enjoyable for children. You may also stop by the stores and tea rooms, which provide light meals and Cornish cream teas produced from local ingredients. They also encourage dogs to join in the fun at Trewidden Gardens.
- Address of Trewidden Gardens: Trewidden Garden, Buryas Bridge, Penzance, United Kingdom, TR20 8TT
- Opening times of Trewidden Gardens: Trewidden Gardens’ hours of operation from the 12th of February through the 25th of September 2022. The garden is open daily from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, with the last admission at 4:30 pm.
- Cost to enter Trewidden Gardens:
- Adults: £8.00
- Under 16’s: Free
- Season Tickets: £22.00 (Unlimited entry for the 2022 season and 10% off plant sales)
- Groups: 12 adults or more £7.50 per person
- Guided Tours: 12 adults or more £9.00 per person, less than 12 adults £10.00 per person
- Children’s Trail: Free
11. Visit the Bonython Estate Gardens, Helston, Cornwall
Unlike most Cornish gardens, which peak in spring, Bonython improves throughout the season. And by late summer, the banks of South African flora are really bursting with colour and complexity. There is always something new to discover with so many diverse regions to explore. The walled garden originates from the late eighteenth century, but little of the original plantings or patterns survived by 1998. The gardens, which have been extensively rebuilt and replanted over the previous 10 years, now meander around the Manor house. Forming a fascinating and diversified whole, surrounded by historic shelterbelts of trees supplemented with 15000 new trees around 8 years ago. Bonython is located on the UK’s southernmost peninsula, on a confluence of excellent soils composed of deep loams, hornblende schist, granite, and serpentine outcrops. The wet, warm air promotes growth!
- Address of Bonython Estate Gardens, Helston: Bonython Estates Gardens, Cury Cross Lanes, Helston, United Kingdom, TR12 7BA
- Opening times of Bonython Estate Gardens, Helston: Bonython Estate Gardens is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Garden is closed during weekends and bank holidays.
- Cost to enter Bonython Estate Gardens, Helston:
- Adults: £6
- Child (6 – 16): £2
- Child under 5: Free
- Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): £14.00
You can stay on the Bonython Estate – it’s one of our best places to stay on the Lizard – read more here.
12. Visit Trewithen Gardens, Truro, Cornwall
Trewithen’s gardens are outstanding and internationally known. The International Camellia Society has designated this garden as a Garden of Excellence, one of 39 worldwide (and only one of five in the UK). They have a magnificent collection of not just camellias but also rhododendrons, magnolias, and numerous unique trees and plants that are seldom seen elsewhere in Britain. A beautiful grass avenue goes up to the House, surrounded by large magnolias. Pathways lead you throughout the garden, where you may observe tree ferns, azaleas, and acers. Many of the magnolias and rhododendrons will be among the biggest in England. There are other more attractions and plants, including climbers. Trewithen Gardens’ plant department also sells various plants and shrubs.
- Address of Trewithen Gardens, Truro: Trewithen Gardens, Grampound Road, Truro, United Kingdom, TR2 4DD
- Opening times of Trewithen Gardens, Truro: Trewithen Gardens is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm from March 1st to September 30th.
- Cost to enter Trewithen Gardens, Truro:
- Adults: £10.00
- Children under 12: FREE
- Individual Season Ticket: £30.00 (£50 for 2)
- Residents (ID required): £8.00
- Cornwall Garden Society (CGS ID required): £8.00
- RHS Members (June only): FREE
13. Visit Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens is a popular destination near Penzance, visiting the gardens is one of the best things to do in Penzance. The property here was previously controlled by the monks of St Michael’s Mount until 1295, when it was purchased by a tenant farmer, Michael De Tremenheere (the name meaning “place of the long stones”), from whom it developed into what it is today. In keeping with the favourable microclimate, subtropical vegetation and spectacular landscaping provide the ideal setting for world-famous art stationed here. It is located in a beautiful, secluded valley where forests and a streaming mix with fascinating modern art. The sculptures transform it into an actual art-landscape experience, with views of the famed and majestic St Michael’s Mount. The gallery, which opened in 2017, is one of Cornwall’s largest purpose-built art galleries, stored in beautiful light-filled, oak-framed buildings. It offers a rare space for new individual and group exhibitions and ongoing mixed works by local artists, including submissions from the Newlyn Society of Artists. It’s not too commercialized, but it does have some exciting goods on display. Look for Ian Penna’s Skip of Light in the parking lot, or the Restless Temple, which may be a narrative for our times. The sculptures lead you to think.
- Address of Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens: Tremenheere Sculpture Garden, Gulval, Penzance, United Kingdom, TR20 8YL
- Opening times of Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens: Starting on February 12, 2022, the Sculpture Gardens will be open daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, with the last entry at 3:30 pm.
- Cost to enter Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens:
- Admission is free for children under 5 years old.
- Adults: £9.50
- Children Aged 5–15: £5.00
- Children Under 5: FREE
- Family Ticket (Two Adults and Two Children Aged 5–15): £25.00
- Family Ticket (One Adult and Two Children Aged 5-15): £16.00
- Season Ticket: £38.00
- Family Season Ticket: £65.00 (Two Adults and Three Children Aged 5-15)
14. Explore the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Gardens, Cornwall
At the outbreak of war in 1939, Barbara Hepworth and her husband Ben Nicholson moved to Cornwall with their small family. From 1949 until she died in 1975, she lived and worked at Trewyn Studios, which is now the Barbara Hepworth Museum. Trewyn Studio and most of the artist’s surviving work were donated to the country and put in the care of the Tate Gallery in 1980. Following her ambition to establish her house and studio as a museum of her work. ‘Finding Trewyn Studio was a kind of enchantment,’ Hepworth writes. ‘Here was a studio, a yard, and a garden where I could work in the open air and space,’ she says. Most of the bronzes are in the places where the artist set them. Barbara Hepworth designed the garden with the assistance of a friend, musician Priaulx Rainier. Coming here is one of the best things to do in St Ives.
- Address of Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Gardens: Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Gardens, Barnoon Hill, Saint Ives, United Kingdom, TR26 1AD
- Opening times of Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Gardens: The Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Gardens are open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Cost to enter Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Gardens: Entry costs £8 with a donation, £7 without a donation.
15. Go to the Scillies, Tresco Abbey Gardens in Cornwall
Augustus Smith created Tresco Abbey Garden in the 19th century on the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey. The garden now has plants from all Mediterranean temperature zones, from Brazil to New Zealand, and from Burma to South Africa. Fringing the lush grid of walkways that criss-cross the gardens are various succulents, towering palms, and gigantic, lipstick-red flame trees. Flowers of the King Protea and the gorgeous Lobster Claw may be seen here, as well as magnificent blue spires of Echium, dazzling Furcraea, Strelitzia, and shocking-pink drifts of Pelargonium. The garden’s appearance varies throughout the year. Flowers blossom weeks ahead of those on the mainland in spring, providing the ideal antidote to a long, chilly winter. The seasonal leaves’ reds, golds, and ambers contrast with the exquisite proteas, aloes, and camellias in the fall. More than 300 plant species are frequently in bloom around the winter solstice. The Abbey Garden’s riches are not restricted to the floral kind. The Valhalla Museum inside the Garden is home to shipwrecked figureheads acquired around the Isles of Scilly and is now part of the National Maritime collection.
- Address of Tresco Abbey Gardens: Tresco Abbey Gardens, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom, TR24 0QQ
- Opening times of Tresco Abbey Gardens: From March 11th to November 6th, 2022, the Garden, Café & Shop are open daily from 10:00 am. to 4:00 pm. While in Winter, the Garden is open every day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, while Café & Shop are closed.
- Cost to enter Tresco Abbey Gardens:
- Adult: £15.00 per ticket
- Family Ticket: £25.00 per ticket
- Over 65s: £14.00 per ticket
- Under 16s: £5.00 per ticket
- Under 5s: Free
16. Visit Cornwall’s Cothele Gardens
For generations, Cotehele was the ancestral home of the Edgcumbe family. Tapestries, guns and armour, pewter, brass, and antique wood furniture adorn the Tudor home located high above the Tamar. The interior tour has remained mostly unchanged throughout the years, while the furniture has been updated as Cotehele continues to inspire its devoted owners. Explore the formally planted terraces or get lost in the Valley Garden, which has a medieval stew pond and dovecote and goes down to the river. Visit the Upper Garden for peace and quiet or the two orchards planted with local apples and cherries.
- Address of Cothele Garden: Cotehele, St Dominick, near Saltash, United Kingdom, PL12 6TA
- Opening times of Cothele Garden: Cothele Garden is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Cost to enter garden Cothele Garden: National Trust members can visit for free.
- Adult: Gift Aid £9.90, Standard £9.00
- Child: Gift Aid £5.00, Standard £4.50
- Family: Gift Aid £25.00, Standard £22.50
- 1 adult, 2 children: £15.00, Standard £13.50
17. Don’t miss Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall
This is a magnificent late-Victorian country house with a garden and forested land. Lanhydrock is a classic rural house and estate, having the air of a rich yet unpretentious family home. Following a devastating fire in 1881, the Jacobean house was restored in high-Victorian style, featuring the finest in country house design and layout and the most up-to-date mod-cons. Discover two sides of Victorian life: the kitchen, which provides an exciting peek into life “below stairs,” and the sumptuous family quarters, beautiful dining room, and big bedrooms, highlighting the luxuries of “upstairs” living.
This glorious house and garden is one of our recommended things to do near St Austell, read about the others here.
Take a walk around the large gardens and enjoy the year-round colour. The highlights are beautiful herbaceous borders, a great formal parterre, and colourful upper gardens overflowing with camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons. The estate, which has historic trees and peaceful riverbank trails, is also well worth visiting. There are also off-road bike paths with dedicated routes for families and inexperienced cyclists. You can even rent a bike from us to take advantage of this option. Discover the heyday of the Agar-Robartes family, who lived in Lanhydrock, and how their fortunes altered during the First World War.
- Address of Lanhydrock Garden: Lanhydrock Garden, Bodmin, United Kingdom, PL30 5AD
- Opening times of Lanhydrock Garden: LanhydrockGarden is open Monday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- Cost to enter Lanhydrock Garden: Children Under 5’s enter for free.
- Adult: Gift Aid £18.70, Standard £17.00
- Child: Gift Aid £9.35, Standard £8.50
- Family: Gift Aid £46.75, Standard £42.50
- 1 adult and up to three children: Gift Aid £28.05, Standard £25.50
One of our favourite places to stay in Bodmin is near Lanhydrock, check out our guide here.
18. See St Mawgan’s Japanese Garden in Cornwall
The Japanese Garden, which spans around 1 acre, perfectly illustrates how small it can be wonderful. Its size is small, but its trails lead to various heavenly qualities, such as the Water Gardens, Stroll Garden, and Zen Garden, all of which were designed in line with Eastern philosophy. The mix of classic Japanese gardening traditions and the exotic types planted make this horticultural hotspot well worth a visit. Take a walk among the magnificent Japanese maples, dazzling azaleas and rhododendrons, decorative grasses, and bamboo forest. Take in the quiet ambience from the Zen observation house, where you may observe the horticultural splendour, ponder the rockscape, and savour the lovely smells of your surroundings.
- Address of Japanese Garden: Japanese Garden, St Mawgan, Nr Newquay, United Kingdom, TR8 4ET
- Opening times Japanese Garden: From March 1st to November 15th, 2022, the garden is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sundays, and bank holidays are included. The Japanese Garden closes at 5:00 pm.
- Cost to enter Japanese Garden: Shop & plant areas are admission free.
- Adults: £5.00
- Children (3 – 15 years): £2.50
- Concessions (Seniors (60+), Students (16 +), Disabled, NHS Staff & Armed Forces): £4.50
- Babies/in buggies: FREE
Travel Tips for Exploring Cornwall
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Final Words on the Best 18 Gardens to Visit in Cornwall
Cornwall’s moderate coastal climate has resulted in some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. The most well-known is Cornwall’s famed gardens, which date back to the nineteenth century and were constructed due to Victorian plant hunting trips. There is, however, a lot of diversity here as well. From woodland gardens to sculpted parks to subtropical meadows, even the most passionate gardener will find something to their personal preferences. Gardens bloom earlier in the season than you may imagine, and the diversity of exotic plants will surprise you – particular gardens will transport you to other places! So come to Best Gardens in Cornwall, and you will be impressed by the beauty and diversity of the gardens here in Cornwall.
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