The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Gardens Of The Tremayne Family Estate, Neglected After The First World War And Brought Back From A Tangle From 1990 By Tim Smit And Others. Productive And Flower Gardens, A Sub Tropical Jungle Valley And The Mud Maid Sculpture Are The Best Known Parts. The Same Founder Later Started The Eden Project. · Pentewan, England

Heligan is the Cornish estate garden of the Tremayne family, left to tangle after the First World War and brought back from 1990 by Tim Smit and a volunteer team. The 'lost' story is partly romantic marketing: the gardens were overgrown and hidden, not forgotten by the world, and some of the best-loved discovery tales have been polished with retelling. What you actually get is real and good: walled kitchen gardens growing fruit and vegetables in Victorian style, flower gardens, a sub-tropical Jungle valley of tree ferns and bamboo with a rope bridge, and a long woodland walk in the Lost Valley. The Mud Maid and the Giant's Head are the best-known sculptures, made from earth and plants. It suits gardeners, families and anyone on a wet Cornish day who wants a long, slow walk. Allow most of a day. It is a paid ticket (confirm current prices), crowded in school holidays and on bank holidays, and the Jungle paths turn muddy after rain. Eden Project is a separate row.

Restored Victorian estate gardens near Mevagissey on the south Cornish coast, with productive gardens, a jungle valley and woodland walks, about 8 km from St Austell, Pentewan, England, United Kingdom

Heligan is open most days of the year with seasonal changes, commonly from about mid morning to late afternoon in winter and a longer day in summer, with last entry well before closing. Exact times and any closed days, including Christmas, change each year, so confirm on the official website before a long drive. The cafe, plant shop and ticket desk follow the same pattern. Some parts, such as the Jungle and the Lost Valley, can be restricted after storms or in very wet weather for safety. Paths have no lighting, so plan to finish in daylight. Tickets are paid and are usually cheaper if bought ahead online.

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