Gardens

Cornwall is often described as the 'garden capital of the world' offering garden lovers a feast for the eyes all year round.

Whether you are a serious horticulturalist, specialist gardener, enthusiastic amateur, holidaymaker or a day-tripper, Cornwall's magnificent gardens are well worth a visit.  The range on offer is staggering from small and unusual gardens, to large and famous ones, but whatever their size, the plants, flowers, palms and trees all thrive in Cornwall’s mild coastal climate.

Far from a day out exclusively for grown-ups, many of Cornwall’s gardens are a feast of fun for both big and little botanists. Most have nature trails or other children’s activities to keep them occupied, along with all essential toilets and cafes. Access to the gardens needn’t be a problem as there are plenty that invite buggies, pushchairs, wheelchairs, toddlers and those with weary feet.

Many of Cornwall’s gardens also welcome your four-legged friends, which only seems fair when they have some of the best dog-walking country on their doorsteps. For details of the dog friendly gardens near Valleybrook visit the Gardens of Cornwall website opposite.

With over 60 gardens on offer choosing which ones to visit might prove tricky! Below are some of our suggestions for gardens to visit close to Valleybrook:

The Eden Project

Whether you are green fingered or not, you cannot fail to be impressed by the Eden Project. A global garden for the 21st century and beyond, Eden provides a dramatic setting in which to tell the fascinating story of man’s dependence upon plants. The two giant geodesic conservatories nestling in an old china clay pit overlooking St Austell Bay house a phenomenal collection of plants from every corner of the globe. With work already underway for more exciting and unusual developments, it's well worth a visit.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is one of the most mysterious estates in England. After decades of neglect, the discovery of a tiny room, buried under fallen masonry in the corner of one of the walled gardens, was to unlock the secret of these glorious gardens. The award-winning garden restoration is already internationally acclaimed extending into well over 100 acres of the wider estate. With so much on offer there is much to learn at Heligan so pack a picnic and make a day of it!

Boconnoc

Three miles east of Lostwithiel, Boconnoc can trace its history back to the Normans. Nowadays, Boconnoc House and its surrounding estate is one of the most beautiful locations in hidden Cornwall. With long drives through the parkland to its own medieval church, there is also a restored lake and Golden Jubilee walk along with a 19th century pinetum which includes Lobb's collection. The garden is surrounded by parkland and woods with magnificent old trees & flowering shrubs. Boconnoc House and Park have been used for numerous film locations including the BBC 'Poldark' series, Daphne du Maurier's 'My Cousin Rachel' and scenes from the 1993 film of 'The Three Musketeers'.

Lanhydrock

Lanhydrock is one of the grandest and most welcoming house in Cornwall, superbly set in 450 acres of woods and parkland running down to the Fowey River and surrounded by formal and woodland gardens that are lovely in all seasons. The magnificent 17th Century house has 50 rooms on show giving an extraordinary glimpse into the life of a Victorian country house from the children's nursery wing and the splendid comforts of the state rooms to the fascinating warren of kitchens, larders and sculleries 'below stairs'. There is a restaurant and shop in the house and plant sales in the car-park.

For days out in some of Cornwall’s great gardens use the links above.