Come rain or shine, The Lost Gardens of Heligan are bound to provide you with a great day out. The unique gardens are set in an area of woodland, filled with romance and mystery.
Covering over 200 acres of land, you could easily spend around 3 hours just wandering about, but if you have arranged to take part in some activities then you would probably need more time.
Things to see
The various sections of this estate are linked by a woodland trail and include the Jungle - sub tropical plants and majestic ferns, the Lost Valley - a trail through the woodlands and fields, a working farm with tours and a chance to feed the animals, productive gardens, activity/workshop area as well as some cafes and gift shops. Not to forget of course the mysterious earth sculptures the the gardens are known for.
When to go
The Gardens are open all year round. The best time to Visit is in the Spring or Autumn as there are no crowds. Spring is also great as the trees and bushes will be in bloom. Summer is of course a good season to visit, although it can get quite busy. While there is plenty of outdoor space to explore, you can get bottlenecks around the main attractions e.g. you may have to queue for around half hour to walk across the rope bridge in peak season! Winter offers you complete tranquility although some of the plants will be bare at this time and the weather a bit chilly.
Events
Check their website if you are planning to visit as they regularly hold great events. The first two weeks in October are the Heligan Harvest, where they showcase the impressive produce, hold tasting sessions and educate about the harvest, the land and the history of this place.
There are also Harvest Feast Nights being held which need to be booked in advance (they get sold out pretty quickly!). In addition there are wild food walks and of course some Halloween activities later in the month.
Getting here
If you are coming by car use PL26 6EN for navigation, the site is well sign posted along the way. From Rockleigh Place it should only take about 20 minutes by car... don't forget your walking boots/wellies! Why not finish off your day with a visit to Mevagissey - a charming fishing town with plenty of places to eat and drink only 7 minutes away.
