Around 30 years ago, the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, were opened to the public for the first time, following a restoration project. Today, the magical gardens remain one of the “most loved” and “romantic” in the UK.
They have even been named the UK’s top visitor garden by readers of Garden News Magazine, where readers voted “in their thousands”.
Over 200 acres of land on the site are a paradise for an explorer, wildlife lover, plant enthusiast, or garden romantic.
There are many different parts to explore in the gardens. The ‘jungle’ takes you on a sub-tropical journey through bamboo tunnels and under majestic tree ferns, giant rhubarb and bananas, whilst if you wander through the estate, it reveals a lost world of traditional and rare breeds, wildlife and ancient woodlands.
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The section called the ‘pleasure grounds’ reveals an unusual range of romantic and unexpected features. There are historic plantings around 150 years old within this section. The ‘Camellias and Rhododendrons’ bless the gardens with a vibrant explosion of colour, and the unusually mild climate allows exotic plants to thrive.
In the ‘productive gardens’, you can learn about the exotic glasshouse fruits and Victorian crop rotation. Today’s team reflect the same numbers and horticultural practices as their Victorian predecessors by following labour-intensive gardening methods.
All the 60 acres of traditionally managed woodland are managed sustainably and every part of every tree felled is used in the best way possible.
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Only 10-minute drive away from the gardens is an attractive harbourside village, Mevagissey, which still boasts a working harbour with small fishing boats.
The name Mevagissey is derived from the names of two saints, St Meva and St Issey.
In the narrow streets within the village are gift shops, craft workshops, galleries, cafés and pubs. There are several hotels, boutique shops and many fish restaurants in Mevagissey and, of course, plenty of fish and chip shops!
There are also opportunities for sea angling in the area, and the spectacular coastline is worth paying a visit. Along the coastline are plenty of nearby coves and sandy beaches to explore.
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