Discovering the Great Gardens of Cornwall: A Botanical Journey
Majestic magnolias and colourful camellias, roving rhododendrons and giant gunnaras, the Great Gardens of Cornwall truly deserve their name. The county’s mild coastal climate makes it the perfect place for a range of exotic plants across 14 gorgeously preserved gardens.
Base yourself at our elegant country house hotel and you’ll find the best gardens in Cornwall are just around the corner.
Why Cornwall Grows So Beautifully
Blessed with a microclimate unique to the UK, Cornwall enjoys the warmth of the Gulf Stream on the south-west coast. This mild climate, rarely troubled by hard frosts, creates ideal growing conditions for a diverse range of exotic plants not found elsewhere in Britain. From palm trees and bamboo to stunning agapanthus, 19th-century plant hunters brought a rich botanical treasure trove of plantlife back to Cornwall that flourished in the local climate.
Celebrating 30 years as a collective, The Great Gardens of Cornwall is a helpful list of highlight gardens showcasing the county’s unique contribution to the UK. And they’re just waiting to be explored.
When to Visit: Seasons, Blooms and Colour
The Great Gardens of Cornwall are sumptuous to explore at any time of year. However, if you’re going for a specific stunning sight, it’s worth knowing what’s blooming when.
Spring
Early spring sees camellias and magnolias bloom in a splash of pastel whites and pinks, vibrant reds and yellows. In April, the famous giant rhododendrons burst into bloom and the woodlands become a blanket of bluebells. Cornwall’s scented azaleas come to the fore in May with brilliant white, deep purples and striking reds.
Summer
The warmest months see the arrival of majestic roses, gently fragrant and rambling across hedgerows. Kitchen gardens are overflowing with strawberries, tomatoes and herbs come July, and the swaying palm trees and giant Gunnera plants provide an eye-catching backdrop. In August, thousands of dahlias and wild fuchsia add bright splashes of colour to the landscape and wild valerian covers hedgerows by the sea.
Autumn
Visitors in September are treated to Cornwall’s exotic plantlife at its peak. Glossy ginger lilies flower among succulent agave plants and stunning Cape Silver trees. As October hits, the oriental acer trees turn rich autumnal colours for wonderful woodland walks and evergreen shrubs like mahonia buckland dazzle with bright yellow flowers.
Winter
There are plenty of pleasant surprises in the coldest months. Christmas roses bloom in December with hawthorn’s yellow and white flowers also sparkling in the hedgerows. Snowdrops blanket the hedgerows and gardens across the county in January, just ahead of the daffodils and crocuses popping up earlier than the rest of the UK in Cornwall's typically milder climate.
Must-See Highlights
Every single one of the Great Gardens of Cornwall offers something unique. How do you choose between them? Here’s what each one is famous for:
Antony Woodland Garden:
Holding the National Collection of Camellia japonica, find over 600 varieties of camellias alongside stunning river views and beautifully unspoilt woodlands.
Bonython Estate Gardens:
A unique blend of tropical and traditional horticulture planted in stunning estate gardens on the Lizard Peninsula.
Caerhays Castle Gardens:
If you love camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons, this stunning country house is a must-visit. Caerhays is famous for holding the National Magnolia Collection.
Eden Project:
The iconic biomes are perfect for rainy days. Waterfalls, canopy walkways and rainforests can be found within. The outdoor gardens hold interactive exhibits to explore.
Lamorran House Gardens:
A beautiful Italian-style garden with a wonderful array of Mediterranean plants to explore alongside stunning sea views.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan:
Explore a well-loved story of restoration and renewal, alongside the UK’s only outdoor jungle and iconic sculptures.
The Minack Theatre Garden:
The unique cliffside location makes a dramatic setting and stunning sea views, with tender plants from South Africa and South America to discover.
Trebah Garden:
The stunning Valley Garden with giant gunnera, hydrangea and camellias is a real highlight, with a perfect picnic spot on the private beach at Polgwidden Cove.
Tregothnan:
Home to the UK’s first tea plantation, anyone passionate about a good brew will be in their element. It’s also home to a variety of camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons.
Tregrehan Garden:
Uniquely situated with an atmospheric rainforest environment, Tregrehan has over 150 champion status trees and a beautiful glasshouse to explore.
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens:
A place for green-fingered art lovers. A dramatic landscape of exotic, subtropical plants with contemplative contemporary art by internationally renowned artists.
Tresco Abbey Gardens:
Set within the white sandy beaches and turquoise seas of the Isles of Scilly, Tresco is a subtropical plant lover’s paradise with many plants from the Mediterranean.
Trewidden Garden:
Explore an extensive collection of tree ferns alongside awe-inspiring champion trees. The spring blooms of magnolia and camellia are also a sight to behold.
Trewithen Gardens:
A great choice for woodland walks through maturing trees and flowering shrubs. There are also over 200 species of camelia, magnolia and rhododendron to enjoy.
How to Plan a Perfect Two-to-Three-Day Garden Circuit from The Nare
If the thought of a self-guided Great Gardens of Cornwall tour fills you with joy, our stunning circuit takes in nine gardens in three days.
Day 1
Strike out early for Minack Theatre Garden, a unique cliffside space with stunning sea views. From there, head to Trewidden Garden to admire the tree fern collection and champion trees before finding lunch in Penzance. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon stroll through Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens for a tranquil blend of art and nature.
Day 2
Start the day among the tropical horticulture of Bonython Estate Gardens before heading to Trebah Garden and the stunning Valley Garden with giant gunnera, hydrangea and camellias. Take a picnic to enjoy on Trebah’s private beach or find a lovely restaurant in nearby Falmouth. Spend the afternoon in Lamorran Gardens, a beautiful Italian-style garden with stunning sea views.
Day 3
Start the day at the UK’s first tea plantation for a truly British brew at Tregothnan. Then head for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, full of iconic sculptures and the UK’s only outdoor jungle. For the afternoon, you have the option of Trewithen Gardens for rejuvenating woodland walks or Caerhays Castle Gardens for the most spectacular springtime display.
Getting Around
Always remember to double-check opening times, car parking and accessibility at each Great Garden of Cornwall, as available facilities can vary. At The Nare, we are always ready to use our local knowledge to help plan your trip to any of Cornwall’s exquisite gardens, including chauffeur options and occasional ticket concessions for guests. We’d love to help.
Where to Stay Between Garden Days
After a day exploring the Great Gardens of Cornwall, you’ll need something comfortable, calm and relaxed to put your feet up. Our exquisite five-star country house hotel is just what you need.
Perfectly located to take in the best Cornish gardens, the hotel interiors are artfully furnished with classic antique furniture and an abundance of fresh flowers. An impressive showcase of well-known Cornish artists gives you that home-from-home feeling.
Set above Carne Beach, stunning sea views await with sumptuous British cuisine and fine wines to be found in the Dining Room. With a sparkling swimming pool and spa on site, The Nare is the perfect place for relaxed evenings after exciting garden days.
Book your Cornwall garden escape at The Nare, a country-house base close to many of the Great Gardens of Cornwall.