Bonython Manor - nr Helston

Bonythorn Manor lies close to Cury Cross Lanes on the Lizard peninsula. Although the original estate dates back to the 13th century, many of the trees were planted during the early 19th century, around fifty years after the construction of the present house. Most of these are beech and Monterey pine. Paths wander between the trees, surfaced with pebbles from the nearby Loe Bar beach.

For more information on the house and gardens visit the Bonython Manor website or telephone the estate office on 01326 240550

Bosvigo - Truro

Although there has been a house at Bosvigo since the 13th century, the garden has only been developed since the latter part of the 20th century. Alterations to the present 18th century house have made it possible to construct an attractive walled garden and to utilise the splendid conservatory which now houses many interesting tender species of roses and climbers and offers seats for those wishing to sit and savour the perfumes of the plants.

For more information on the gardens visit the Bosvigo web site or telephone the estate office on 01872 275774

Burncoose Nursery & Gardens - Redruth

Burncoose Nurseries and Garden are situated at Gwennap, not far from Redruth. The estate was purchased in the early 18th century by the Williams family, famous for the development of the gardens at Caerhays Castle. At Burncoose, the developed of the gardens did not really begin until almost a century later. In fact, most of the garden took shape during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For more information on the nursery and gardens visit the Burncoose web site or telephone for opening times on 01209 860316 

Carwinion House & Bamboo Garden - Mawnan Smith

The house at Carwinion was built in the late 18th century, but the gardens were developed much later. It is believed that this may have happened in conjunction with several other neighbouring properties. Expeditions were financed by groups of friends and relatives and exotic plants were imported to the Cornish gardens.

For more information on the house, gardens and extensive bamboo collection visit the Carwinion House web site or telephone for opening times on 01326 250258

Eden Project - nr St Austell

The Eden Project is a collection of giant, multi-domed greenhouse, containing plants from various regions of the globe. It is located in a dissused China clay quarry just outside St Austell with the ‘biomes’ built against the walls of the pit.

Perhaps the most impressive of the domes is the Humid Tropics Biome. It’s a multi-domed greenhouse that recreates the natural environment of a tropical rainforest. Hundreds of trees and other plants from rainforests in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia are housed within the greenhouse. The biome is 787 feet (240 m) long, 180 ft (55 m) high and measures 360 ft (110 m) across.

For more information visit the Eden Project website

Glendurgan - Mawnan Smith

Glendurgan is a National Trust property, close to the village of Mawnan Smith and not far from the lovely reaches of the Helford river. The beautifully designed garden is set in a valley, which runs down to the pretty fishing village of Durgan.

Perhaps the best-known feature of this garden is the laurel maze, which was originally planted in 1833 and was modelled on the maze of Sydney Gardens in Bath. The maze has been completely pruned and renovated over the last thirty years, and a Victorian style summerhouse has been reconstructed at the centre.

For more information on the house and gardens visit the National Trust’s Glendurgan web page or telephonefor opening times on 01326 250906

Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery - nr Newquay

Robert & Stella Hore had the idea for their Japanese Garden after being given a bonsai tree as a present. They began construction of the garden in ernest in 1991 on the site of a run down small holding in St Mawgan. With the help of a digger and some huge moss covered granite boulder the garden was landscaped to include ponds, a waterfall, bridge and a Japanese tea house (orCha-Seki).

The garden opened to the public in the summer of 1997 but this was really just a beginning - the garden is a living art form that needs to be nurtured and shaped. In some respects it will never be truly completed, but as in the Zen philosophy the focus is on the way of attaining perfection not the state of perfection itself.

For further information on the Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery visit the website or phone on 01637 860116

Lanhydrock - Bodmin

The great avenue of sycamores was originally planted in 1648, but few of the original trees remain today. These have been replaced mainly by a double row of beech trees, leading towards the old gatehouse. When Lanhydrock was in its heyday, there was a deer park south of this avenue, but this disappeared towards the end of the 18th century.

For more information on the house and gardens visit the National Trust’s Lanhydrock House web page or telephone the estate office on 01208 265950

Lost Gardens of Heligan - nr St Austell

The gardens in Heligan near Mevagissey were reclaimed thanks to Tim Smit, the creator of the Eden Project. The estate was occupied by the Tremayne family from the early 17th century until the First World War, when the house was commandeered for use as a convalescent home for officers. During this period, the gardens were neglected and the neglect continued after the return of the family. This was at least partly due to social changes and the inability to find sufficient gardeners for estates of this size.

For more information on the house and gardens visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan website or telephone the estate office on 01726 845101

Morrab Gardens - Penzance

Morrab Gardens were started out as the property of wealthy brewer, Samuel Pidwell. Pidwell built Morrab House in 1841 as his home on a three acre strip of land running from the town centre to the sea front. In fact the word Morrab comes from the Cornish for sea-shore (mor = sea and app = shore)

When in 1889, Pidwell moved, the property was bought by the local council, or Corporation as it was known then, for use as municipal park to cater for the ever growing number of tourists. The house became the Penzance town library and the gardens fell under the guardianship of landscape gardener, Reginald Upcher.

Roseland House - nr Truro

The garden at Roseland house is the vision and work of Charlie & Liz Pridham. The couple arrived in 1983 by which time the garden had befallen over a hunred years of neglect and abuse.

In the mid-Victorian era it was like so many other things, rather unsympathetically ‘modernised’ and by the end of the Second World Warpractically the whole garden had been “dug for victory”. During the ensuing years and various owners little was done and the garden was largely neglected.

For more information and visiting details visit the website or phone on 01872 560451

Trebah - Helford

26 acre Cornish ravine garden, rated among the 80 finest gardens in the world. This sub-tropical paradise is home to a unique collection of rare and exotic plants, trees and shrubs winding down to a private and secluded beach on the Helford River.

Trebah is a garden for all seasons, with year round colour and scent. It has something for everyone with children’s activities, special events, a Gallery hosting exhibitions, a Garden Café, and a gift and garden shop.

For more information on the gardens visit the Trebah Gardens website

Trengwainton - Penzance

The Cornish word, Trengwainton, means the farm of the spring and the original house probably matched this description. A house certainly existed here in the 16th century, but the present building dates mainly from the early 19th century. This was when the estate was purchased by the Price family and many of the deciduous trees were planted. At this time there was also a vineyard and a series of experimental plant beds within a walled garden.

For more information on the gardens visit the National Trust’s Trengwainton web pageor telephone the estate office on 01736 363148

Trelissick - nr Truro

There has been a house at Trelissick since the 13th century, but the property existing today was built in the middle of the 18th century and designed by Humphry Davy’s grandfather. It was extended further early in the 19th century. The estate is sited in Playing Place, close to where the King Harry Ferry crosses the River Fal. There are lovely views across the river and towards the estuary from various parts of the estate.

For more information on the gardens visit the National Trust’s Trelissick web page or telephone the estate office on 01872 862090