The Lost Gardens of Heligan

We decided to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan. It was only a short drive from the B&B so we arrived before opening time. The farm shop was open so we looked around at the produce provided by the Lobbs family. From the shop we could see the Cornwall coast and in the distance, some of the farms that provide produce for the shop.

We made our way across a lane that separates the shop from the entrance to the gardens. The property was owned by the Tremayne family for more than 400 years. At the end of the 19th century, the whole property of 1,000 acres was in it's prime, but with the First World War, a great number of the staff were called up for the armed services. Many perished in the war so there was no longer the staff to undertake the upkeep of the large property. A few years later, brambles and ivy were beginning to draw a green veil over this 'sleeping beauty'.

Following decades of neglect, the devastating hurricane of 1990 should have consigned the Lost Gardens to a footnote in history. However, events led to uniting new people with a grand vision, lots of energy and passion for this extraordinary place that saved the gardens from obscurity.

Some of the areas we visited included the pleasure gardens with a ravine and an Italian style garden with pool and statues; the productive gardens (vegetables and flowers); the sub-tropical jungle walk with ponds, giant rhubarb, banana palms, bamboo, tree ferns and avenues of palms. Another wonderful visit.