Location: Pentewan, near St Austell, mid-Cornwall
Distance from West Kellow Yurts: Around 45 minutes by road
Allow: Half a day minimum, a full day to do it properly
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is one of those Cornish places that lives up to its reputation. Lost to the brambles after the First World War (when most of the gardeners didn't return from the trenches), and rediscovered and restored from 1990 onwards, it's now over 200 acres of Victorian productive gardens, formal flower gardens, woodland trails, a subtropical Jungle, rare-breed farm animals, and the South West's largest outdoor play area.
What to expect
Heligan was the seat of the Tremayne family for over 400 years. By the early 20th century the gardens, which had been built up across two centuries, were tended by 22 gardeners. After the First World War (only 6 of them returned) and decades of neglect, the gardens were swallowed by brambles and forgotten. In 1990 a Tremayne descendant, John Willis, brought the record producer Tim Smit and a team of friends to the site; together they led what became the largest garden restoration in Europe.
What you see today is the result. The Northern Gardens contain the restored Victorian productive gardens (with over 300 varieties of heritage fruit, vegetables and herbs), the walled Flower Garden, Italian Garden, the Crystal Grotto and the Sundial Garden. The Pleasure Grounds wind through woodland and feature the famous Mud Maid and Giant's Head sculptures, made from earth and moss and slowly settling into the landscape.
Then there's the Jungle, the UK's only outdoor jungle: a steep wooded valley where Maori-carved tree ferns from New Zealand, Sikkim rhododendrons, and other subtropical plantings flourish in the mild Cornish microclimate. A jungle rope bridge crosses the canopy.
Beyond the gardens, the wider estate spreads across 200 acres of working farmland, ancient woodland, hay meadows, two lakes (look for kingfishers), and the Wildlife Project at Horsemoor Hide where you can watch live and recorded footage of the resident wildlife. Heligan Play Meadow is the South West's largest outdoor play area and a draw for families.
Getting there from West Kellow
Drive west on the A390 via Lostwithiel and St Austell, then south on the B3273 towards Mevagissey. Heligan is well signposted from the B3273 (don't follow sat-nav blindly on the small lanes near the gardens; follow the brown heritage signs instead). Around 45 minutes. Postcode: PL26 6EN.
By bus, Transport for Cornwall runs a service from St Austell station directly to a stop within the Heligan car park.
Practical info
Parking is free. Heligan is normally open all year except 24 and 25 December, with the gardens open daily from 10am (last admission 4.30pm in season). Adult and child tickets, with under 5s free, family tickets and group rates available; check the Heligan website for current prices.
Is Heligan dog-friendly? Yes. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the gardens all year round.
How long do you need at Heligan? Heligan recommends three to four hours minimum to get a real sense of it. To see everything (Northern Gardens, Pleasure Grounds, Jungle, Wider Estate, Wildlife Project, farm), allow a full day.
Are there facilities at Heligan? Yes: shop, plant centre, licensed tearoom and restaurant (the Heligan Kitchen serves food made with produce from the gardens), toilets and accessibility-friendly routes through the Northern Gardens. Wheelchair access to Northern Gardens; the Jungle and wider estate paths are steeper and more challenging.
Can you revisit Heligan on the same ticket? Yes. If you let the team know when you buy your ticket, they'll upgrade it to a 7-day pass at no extra charge, which is excellent value if you're staying nearby.
While you're there
Heligan is close to the south Cornish coast. Mevagissey (a working fishing village much like Polperro) is around 10 minutes' drive south, with boat trips to Fowey and on to the Eden Project (around 20 minutes by road). If you fancy doubling up with another garden, the Eden Project itself is in the same area, though it's a very different experience (and a separate ticket).
Find out more: https://www.heligan.com/
