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The Great Gardens of Cornwall
The Great Gardens in Cornwall are, without question, among the finest in all of England - a collection of fourteen remarkable landscapes celebrated for their beauty, heritage and horticultural importance.
Each is a masterpiece of natural theatre, with each season unveiling a new act. Teased into early bloom by the region's subtropical microclimate, spring brings exotic blossoms and rainbows of wildflowers. Summer is a feast of blue and pink hydrangeas, bursting against lush green backdrops. And with mild temperatures all year round, even autumn and winter enchant with fiery reds and great evergreen ferns.
Visiting is always a delight. As a guest of The Nare, concessionary entry rates are available, along with private tours by arrangement. Here are some of the nearest and most beautiful gardens of all.
Caerhays Castle and Garden
Porthluney Cove, near Gorran • 7 miles (20 minutes) from The Nare
Caerhays embodies everything that makes a spring woodland garden so special and, indeed, spring is the best season to visit this magnificent country estate. Seeing the magnolia trees in full bloom is a real treat, and there are many more delights among its fernery, woods and rose plantation. Of particular note is the world-famous Camellia x williamsii, named for the resident Williams family.
Don't forget to also visit the quaint tea room, the gift shop and, of course, the castle itself.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Near Mevagissey • 10 miles (25 minutes) from The Nare
The Lost Gardens of Heligan really were lost. Left to nature's whim at the dawn of the First World War and rediscovered 76 years later, the gardens have since been carefully restored. Today, they are rightfully considered among the best gardens in Cornwall, offering some 200 acres of winding paths and intricately tended pleasure grounds. Children will particularly enjoy the Jungle – a subtropical paradise of exotic flowers and lush palms, complete with a hair-raising suspended rope bridge.
Tregothnan
St Michael Penkevil • 11 miles (30 minutes) from The Nare
Tregothnan is truly unique. Since 1334, the same family has tended rare plants at this idyllic riverside farmstead. Today, it is recognised as the home of the first tea plantation in the UK, as well as its largest private botanical garden.
Tours run twice daily from Monday to Friday, taking in tea fields, historic orchards and jungle gardens over two undulating miles (wear good boots). The private botanical garden is open for one weekend each year, with all proceeds going to charity – check the website for details.
Trebah Garden
Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth • 26 miles (55 minutes) from The Nare
Trebah Garden is, like The Nare's own, a garden with a beach. Visitors can explore under canopies bursting with exotic blooms before strolling to the private cove for a paddle, a picnic or a local ice cream. As well as offering much of horticultural interest – including 100-year-old rhododendrons and magnolias – the garden is particularly well-suited to families. It hosts several children's play areas, plus regular family events and a beach café.
Trewidden House and Gardens
Near Penzance • 44 miles (75 minutes) from The Nare
Trewidden is a superb Grade II-listed manor house set among 15 acres of lush, landscaped gardens. Green-fingered visitors will find much to love, including a fine collection of camellias and one of Europe's largest tree fern dells. Families, meanwhile, can explore the Trewidden Trail – a rewarding ramble through many of the estate's most enchanting spots. This one is a little further from The Nare, but is well worth the trip – especially when combined with a visit to nearby Penzance.
The gardens at The Nare
While The Nare would never claim to have the best gardens in Cornwall, the hotel has spent many years cultivating beautiful green spaces for guests. Originally landscaped by co-owner Tommie Gray in the 1980s, the gardens remain a much-loved feature and one much commented on by guests and reviewers. The exotic plants are a delight to admire on the walk down to the beach below, while a seat on the terrace offers one of the finest coastal views anywhere in the country.