Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a 200-acre estate in Cornwall that became famous as the “garden restoration of the century”. Originally the seat of the Tremayne family since the 16th century, the gardens fell into complete disrepair after World War I when most of its workforce never returned. They were “rediscovered” from under a massive tangle of brambles in 1990 and have since been meticulously restored using traditional Victorian and Edwardian methods.

Location & Access
Where: Near the fishing village of Mevagissey, about 6 miles from St Austell in South Cornwall.
Pro Tip: Avoid following Sat Nav when you get close; instead, follow the brown heritage signs from the B3273 to avoid narrow, difficult lanes.

What You Can Do There
Explore the Jungle: Walk through a sub-tropical valley filled with giant rhubarb, bamboo tunnels, and banana plantations. It even has its own microclimate that is warmer than the rest of the gardens.
Cross the Rope Bridge: Brave one of the longest Burmese Rope Bridges in Britain, suspended 100 feet above the jungle floor.
Hunt for Sculptures: Find the iconic Mud Maid, Giant’s Head, and Grey Lady—giant living sculptures that change with the seasons.
Visit the Farm: Meet rare-breed livestock including Tamworth pigs, Devon and Cornwall Longwool sheep, and White Park cows.
Dine at the Kitchen: Eat produce grown directly in the onsite “Productive Gardens”.

Best Time to Visit & Who Should Go
Who: It’s ideal for families (home to the South West’s largest outdoor play area), gardeners, and dog owners (dogs are welcome on leads year-round).
When:
Spring (March–May): Best for seeing the National Collection of Camellias and Rhododendrons in bloom.
Summer: Peak season for the walled vegetable gardens and family events like “Wild Week”.
Autumn: Famous for the Harvest Festival and over 200 varieties of pumpkins.
Winter: The Heligan Night Garden features magical light trails from November to January.

Unique Features
Pineapple Pits: Heligan houses Europe’s only remaining pineapple pit, which uses decomposing manure to provide the heat needed to grow tropical fruit in the UK.
The Thunderbox Room: A restored gardener’s toilet where original signatures from 1914 workers were found, now a recognized war memorial.
Heritage Focus: Unlike many modern gardens, Heligan focuses on pre-WWI gardening skills, using horse-drawn ploughs and manual labor to maintain the land.

Offers & Member Benefits
Seven-Day Pass: If you are on holiday, you can upgrade your day ticket to a 7-day pass at no extra charge (just ask the team when purchasing).
Great Gardens Discount: As a member of “The Great Gardens of Cornwall,” you can get discounted entry to other partner gardens by picking up their leaflet.
Membership Perks:
Unlimited free admission for a year.
10% discount in the shop, plant sales, and Heligan Kitchen.
Exclusive Early Entry: Members can enter between 9:00 am and 10:00 am every Friday and Sunday (April–September).
Reciprocal Entry: Free entry to other attractions like the Eden Project and Trebah Garden during specific months (usually January and November).