The 10 best gardens in Cornwall
Even before the coming of the railway to Penzance in the 19th century, visitors were drawn to Cornwall to enjoy its coastline and its gardens – a combination unlike any other in Britain.
Cornish gardens are unique. Temperatures are mild, light levels are strong and rainfall is high (sometimes too high). Especially on the south coast, deep valleys provide shelter from the prevailing winds and so – along with mineral-rich soil – plants thrive. Wealthy tin mine owners funded plant collecting expeditions and tender 'exotics' grew well in their new homes.
Here are 10 of the best gardens in Cornwall, perfect for a day out in Britain's greatest holiday destination.
For further Cornwall inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, restaurants, pubs, beaches, cream teas, walks and how to plan the perfect holiday.
Lamorran House Gardens
Lamorran House Gardens has that sophisticated Riviera touch on Cornwall's south coast and is the plantsman owner's tribute to his wife's Italian heritage. Filled with luscious palms, tree ferns and rare azaleas interspersed with Mediterranean-style statuary, cupolas and fountains, Lamorran has stupendous views over Falmouth Bay. The garden is meticulously maintained with i giardini segreti hidden amidst raked gravel paths wandering up and down its hillside.
Insider tip: Close by is Olga Polizzi's stylish Tresanton Hotel. Ideal for lunch or a weekend away.
Trebah Garden
A spectacular wooded valley filled with wonderful plants and year-round colour leads down to a private beach. In summer follow the gunnera tunnel under the plants' 'giant rhubarb' leaves or explore the Bamboozle, where the spectacular Phyllostachys edulis can grow at more than 20cm every day. Dog-friendly and perfect for families, with children's trails and adventure areas, there's also a fully-accessible Court Garden and popular cafe.
Insider tip: Combine a visit to Trebah with another – the neighbouring Glendurgan Garden, owned by the National Trust.
Penjerrick Garden
There's no entrance desk, no guidebook, no cafe, no car park and no lavatories at Penjerrick, but there is the most extraordinary, private 'undiscovered' valley garden filled with rare plant treasures. Once owned by a Quaker family of Falmouth ship agents it's stocked with giant Californian redwoods, towering ancient rhododendrons, and with giant bamboo and moss-covered tree ferns around its lakes.
Insider tip: What paths there are can be wet and muddy and you'll be ducking beneath branches and maybe squeezing past fallen tree trunks, so be prepared.
Contact: penjerrickgarden.co.uk
How much does it cost? Entrance is by donation.
Caerhays Castle and Gardens
Generations of the Williams family have been involved in Cornish horticulture at Caerhays. J.C. Williams (1861 to 1939) was an expert hybridiser of both daffodils and camellias (the famous 'Williamsii' strain bears his name). The present owner, Charles Williams, is a global authority on magnolias. The garden opens in winter and spring when these plants' flowers are at their best.
Insider tip: Take a look at thediary.caerhays.co.uk – started in a leather-bound book in 1897 but now online – a daily record of life in the garden.
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
Once cultivated by the monks who lived on nearby St Michael's Mount, Tremenheere now grows spectacular plants including collections of agaves, grass trees and bamboo. What makes this garden unique, though, is the placing of internationally important pieces of cutting-edge sculpture and artwork amongst the planted landscape. A 'Skyspace' by James Turrell, alongside over 50 pieces by Penny Saunders, Shaika Al Mazrou and others give it a contemporary vibe.
Insider tip: Visit the Skyspace at dusk for a magical view of clouds and changing light through its open roof.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The romantic story of an abandoned Edwardian estate, rediscovered by Sir Tim Smit, still resonates. The walled vegetable garden, growing heritage crops using traditional methods, is straight out of Tales of Peter Rabbit, but there's also The Jungle – a valley full of exotic palms, bananas and tree ferns – to explore, and the Pleasure Gardens in which to stroll and relax.
Insider tip: Seek out the poignant graffiti signatures of the garden apprentices on the old bothy wall, written in 1914 before they enlisted for the First World War, never to return.
Contact: heligan.com
How much does it cost? £28
St Just In Roseland churchyard
An ancient granite church is surrounded by a lushly planted two-hectare garden on the shores of a beautiful coastal creek. Filled with palms and camellias, in the spring a carpet of primroses forms a backdrop to the bamboo, gunnera, and fuschia which also grow here in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.
Insider tip: Instagrammers should visit at high tide to get the best shots of the church and the planting reflected in the still waters of the creek.
Contact: TR2 5JD; Parking nearby.
How much does it cost? Free entry
Minack Theatre Garden
Could this be the most spectacularly situated garden in the UK? It clings precariously to the side of a granite cliff high above the theatre's stage, but nevertheless its clever gardeners manage to grow fabulous South African proteas along with tender aeoniums, aloes and cobalt-coloured agapanthus. Leucospermum tumbling down the rock faces provides splashes of intense colour. Vertiginous steps and narrow paths weave between the planting beds so wheelchair access is only to the top terraces.
Insider tip: Booking throughout the year is recommended, but in summer it's essential.
Tresco Abbey Garden
Beyond Lands End lie the spectacular Isles of Scilly. Tresco's Abbey Garden grows plants which simply don't grow anywhere else in the UK. Towering Phoenix caneriensis, South African aloes, rare proteas and Californian ceanothus along with a jewelled Mediterranean Garden, a shell gazebo at its centre, are just some of its highlights.
Insider tip: Forget the stomach-churning ferry-and-boat option; to travel to Tresco take a direct helicopter from Penzance (penzancehelicopters.co.uk).
Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden
Affiliated to Tate St Ives this is a tiny, secret oasis of calm in the middle of bustling bucket-and-spade St Ives. Tender Geranium maderense and potted spiky succulents bloom in Dame Barbara Hepworth's former workshop while, outside, her iconic sculptures seem to change form as the sunlight filters through the trees and shrubs she chose and planted.
Insider tip: Parking in St Ives is a nightmare; instead take the tiny train from St Erth which travels alongside the sand dunes and the sea into town.
Contact: tate.org.uk
How much does it cost? £8
*All ticket prices are single, adult, standard entry.
How we choose
Every garden in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from church grounds to botanical gardens – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Tim Hubbard has gardened in Cornwall for over 40 years and is the author of 'Secret Gardens of Cornwall' and 'The Great Gardens of Cornwall'.
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