Sub-tropical Cornwall has many independent and family run gardens. Here are 12 of our favourites.

12 Stunning 'Must See' Gardens in Cornwall

Cornwall is blessed with a sub-tropical climate which means that many plants and trees will be different to the usual ones found throughout the United Kingdom. Not only are we spoilt with an abundance of National Trust gardens, we also have many more examples of beautiful gardens in Cornwall to visit.  We have compiled a list of hidden gem and must see gardens, all are independent or family owned and run.

1. Trewithen Gardens

Starting with a fantastic Cornwall garden, house and estate in Probus near Truro and only 30 minutes from our hotel, Trewithen Gardens is a must visit. Trewithen meaning ‘House of Trees’, it sure lives up to its name with 30 acres of woodland gardens and over 200 acres of parkland.  Once you have spotted everything you can in the highly awarded gardens, head to Trewithen House, an 18th Century building that has been passed down through 10 generations, still intact with its wonderful architecture and living history rooms. Trewithen is a perfect place for garden lovers and architectures admirers alike. Don’t forget to stop for a coffee at the Tea Shed after all that walking!

2. Trebah Gardens

Next on our list is the well loved Trebah Gardens, a fan favourite with our guests. Trebah is only 35 minutes away near the seaside town of Falmouth. With its subtropical gardens and a coastal backdrop, Trebah is a bright, colourful and fun garden to explore year round. Not only do they have a colourful garden, there is a bamboo maze of paths, named Bamboozle, a mallard pond and a private beach to explore when visiting this Garden! But that’s not all, there are so many more features at Trebah to fill your day including the Gunnera Passage (These Jurassic style Gunneras can also be found in our garden!), Koi Pool and more!

3. Pinetum Gardens

Pinetum Gardens, a 30 acre site near St Austell, is a beautiful family-run garden created over 40 years ago by MBE Shirley Clemo and her husband with Chang Li helping to grow the Eastern inspired area of the gardens. Become entranced when you step into the world with the open park land, lake and mature oaks, creating a magical feel to this garden’s experience, then head to their Japanese garden and marvel at their Champion Trees (Champion Trees are officially measured as the tallest of their kind or by having the largest diameter!). Almost all plants are labelled too, so if you’re new to recognising flowers and trees, Pinetum will help you on your way! Stop at their cute cafe for lunch along your way and enjoy the fresh air as you enjoy some good Cornish Pasties and Cream Teas!

4. Caerhays Castle

Another wonderful Garden to visit is at Caerhays Castle, set on the coast of Cornwall near St Austell. The gardens and castle are open to the public in the Springtime (Mid Feb to Early June) where you can experience the timeless magic of Cornwall’s castle by the sea. With 140 acres of woodland garden, all tended to by Caerhays small team of gardeners, there is plenty of walking and exploring to be done. Not only are the gardens full of bright flowers and 100 year old trees, but the history is also full with so much to learn about the estate. Caerhays is perfect for a romantic day out in Cornwall.

5. Enys Gardens

You may fancy visiting a garden with a little more going on such as Enys Gardens near Penryn. Here you will find a wonderful 30 acres of distinctly different gardens set out in an Italian vista style from the 18th Century, including The Orchard, Parc Lye and The New Zealand Garden! If you fancy getting involved in a bit more, Enys house also holds great events like their Spring Art Exhibition, Craft Fair Weekend and Food Jam. Whilst you’re there, don’t forget to delve into the history of Enys House; belonging to the Enys Family originally, the Elizabethan House was burnt down in 1820, only to be replaced with a Georgian house in 1830. By World War II, the house was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for the Dutch Navy before being handed back to the family and used for a short while as a boy’s boarding school!

6. Penjerrick Garden

A fascinating jungle-like garden to visit is just a little outside Falmouth. Penjerrick Garden is fabulous for adventurous souls who love exploring the overgrowth of natural gardens. Here you will have to stoop below the low canopy and find your way through the paths and mazes of Penjerrick, searching for all the wooden sculptures along the way. This garden is best for young souls who love feeling a part of the wild and also welcomes dogs on leads all for the modest price of £3 per adult via an honesty box. This garden is worth adding to your adventure list for a fun, enchanting day out.

7. Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden in St Mawgan (near Newquay) is one of the best gardens to visit in Cornwall if you want to be transported to a serene scene of Japanese style. This garden is well thought out with artistry at its forefront, even the plants are shaped to suit the style of this garden! This meditative garden is perfect for a piece of peace in Today’s fast paced lifestyle. Visit the Bonsai Nursery to be in awe of the beautiful small trees and learn to love plants all over again. You’ll be taking your time in this Zen garden and leaving feeling tranquil.

8. The Lost Gardens of Heligan

For a more advanced walk through wide expanses of garden, steep undulating Cornish countryside and mossy stone statues, The Lost Gardens of Heligan will be just right for you, found near St Austell and Mevagissey. With 200 acres of mystery, history and romance, Heligan is well loved by many. Heligan was a garden, lost to time after World War I meant the garden fell to ruins and was overgrown. Only 30 years ago a door was found in the undergrowth leading to the discovery of the ruins and the gardens. This all-season garden is a must see with its sub-tropic jungle journey, Victorian productive garden and traditional and rare breeds and wildlife by the estate.

9.  The Eden Project

The Eden Project is one of the largest garden and conservation experiences in Cornwall, nestled in a huge crater near St Austell. You can spend a full day here walking through the large winding gardens and even larger Biomes. Don't worry if hills are not for you, a train will drive you around the gardens to the cafeteria and Biomes! Visit the Rainforest Biome for a pleasantly warm and humid experience among tall foliage and the rustling of the animals jumping from branch to branch. Climb up to the viewing vantages to look out over the rainforest and spot more animals in the sky. After a lunch stop (take a picnic or visit one of the many canteens on site) you can visit the Mediterranean Biome and take a Sangria (or a Mulled Wine at Christmas) from the bar with you as you explore the beautiful cacti, fruits and vegetables grown in Southern Europe. You can also find Summer concerts and exciting year-round events here too including a romantic outdoor Winter ice rink!

10.  Tregrehan

Ever wanted to experience a Temperate Rainforest and Botanical garden in Cornwall, then Tregrehan near Charlestown is the garden for you. This estate is particularly special being that it is still family owned and run and is nestled in protective hills and parkland, the Tregrehan estate is an unusual and incredible estate with many firsts for Cornwall, architecturally and historically. A visit to Tregrehan will feel very Royal indeed, with many major historical figures having a hand in the evolution of the estate. Once you have marvelled in the gardens, head to the nursery where plants are available for sale to the public and take home a piece of Tregrehan.

11. Trewidden

Another family run and owned garden is Trewidden near Penzance. Initially planted by the Bolitho’s ancestor, Thomas Bolitho during the 19th century, this 15 acre garden is home to a vibrant range of over 300 Magnolias and Camellias that lie beside a large tree fern dell. A maze of paths will lead you to different areas of this peaceful Cornish garden adorned with 100 year old shrubs and a champion tree. Dogs are also welcome to visit Trewidden gardens. The scenes here are so breath-taking, even many of Rosamunde Pilcher TV Productions have filmed here!

12. Lamorran

 If you’re looking to be stunned, Lamorran in St Mawes may just take your breath away! Lamorran is a subtropical, Italianate inspired garden on Cornwall's beautiful Roseland peninsula with panoramic sea views from the romantic gazebo and south facing slopes, you’ll be basked in beautiful Cornish sun as you adore the surroundings and views around you. If the Ocean wasn’t enough for you, there is also a magical Japanese water garden with a relaxing waterfall to enjoy. Be transported around the world with this unique garden, surrounded by the best of Cornwall. The garden is navigated via ascending and descending steps and so may be unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with low mobility but a top terrace is reachable with the same magnificent views across the gardens and sea.

Honorable Mention: 

For those looking for a short walk and escape from the City, Truro has a small, quaint English Park named Victoria Gardens, close to the Royal Cornwall Museum. Visit Victoria Gardens to stretch your legs, admire the pretty blossom from the gazebo and take in some fresh air before heading back into town or on to your next adventure.

 Of course our list is not exhaustive, however these really are a must see for garden lovers and a great list to start with! There are so many unusual gardens to visit within Cornwall, and if you’re a budding photographer, these are perfect places to take the best snaps. We’re sure you’ll love these gardens as much as we do.

Kennall Vale Nature Reserve

Picturesque dense woodland, waterfalls and babbling brooks amidst the ruins of in an abandoned gunpowder factory.

Location: In Ponsanooth between Redruth, Penryn and Truro
Price: Entry is free
Parking: Free on the roads nearby (no onsite parking)
Who Runs It: Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Facilities: None, just nature - lots of pubs in the nearby area

Discover Kennall Vale

Kennall Vale is a picturesque dense woodland with rich undergrowth and open glades set on the river Kennall in 20 acres. You'll find walking trails, waterfalls, babbling brooks and a flooded quarry in amongst the ruins of an abandoned gunpowder factory.

 

In its heyday the factory was a 50-building complex producing gunpowder for the mining industry from 1812 until it closed around 100 years later. It's not a typical tourist destination, but if you enjoy exploring abandoned buildings then this one is worth visiting!

Under the tree canopy everything is covered in green moss with ferns and trees growing within many of the old buildings. The old quarry is flooded and has a granite rock face rising out of the clear water.

 

Walking Trails

Kennall Vale has two trails, one for families and another more challenging trail that is suitable if you're an experienced walker or have children who can keep up with your pace!

 

The family-friendly walking route takes about 45 minutes on average. The more challenging route takes about an hour on average. But we'd add on another hour as the reserve is so beautiful you wouldn't want to hurry.

If you'd like to see all of the ruins close-up make sure you take the more challenging trail marked as 'cautionary route'. On this route you have to pass some waterfalls and may get a little splashed (!) and there are also some steep steps to navigate in a couple of parts. This route is definitely recommended if that doesn't faze you.

The Gunpowder Factory Ruins

 

Six ruins and areas which helped to make up the gunpowder factory are still there on site and you can visit all of them. Trees and ferns now grow within the ruins as nature has taken over, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust keeping it cleared, enough to enjoy the abandoned factory. There are three on each side of the river so, if you'd like to walk through all of them you will have to take the more challenging route.

Packing House
Where they packed gunpowder into barrels.

Quarry
A source of Cornish granite.

Corning House
Where they reduced mixed ingredients to fine grains.

Incorporating Mills
Where they ground together saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal.

Limestone Runner Wheel
Used to grind raw ingredients in the Incorporating Mill.

Change House
Where workers changed into woollen clothing.

Wildlife

The reserve has been overseen by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust since 1985. It is home to some interesting, and rare, species such as greater horseshoe bat and pipistrelle bat. For the bird lovers amongst you, it is one of the best places in Cornwall to spot dippers, who wade, swim and dive in running water.

There Really is a Money Tree

 

Half way round the more challenging route you will find a curious looking tree. It seems that over the years many coins have been knocked into the tree, creating an impressive pattern. It is much larger than this photo but there is still room for more if you want to add one for luck!

It is Said to be Haunted..

With the site being an old gunpowder factory, of course there were many tragic accidents. There have been many reported sightings by people and claims of photographs and it is said to be the most haunted woodland in Britain. There is certainly a different feeling when you enter but it is more mystical and calming, although you wouldn't want to get stuck there in the dark!

When to Visit Kennall Vale

You can visit all year round. It is particularly stunning during autumn of course and spring with the bluebells. It's best to avoid at weekends though as it becomes very busy.

Kennall Vale Nature Reserve is a unique hidden gem where nature has taken over the ruins. It is a calming and mystical place to visit in Cornwall. The fascinating history adding to its beauty and intrigue.

 

Turn up your volume to hear the roar of the river Kennall.