Cornwall has a wealth of beautiful gardens which are perfect for a day out, and they’re never better than in Spring when the county really blooms! From stately homes to sub-tropical gardens, mediaeval manors to tin mines, Cornwall has a truly unique history and landscape waiting to be explored.
We’ve put our local knowledge to work and compiled a list of some of our favourite gardens, along with handy insights for planning your visit to each one.
Tregothnan Gardens
Tregothnan Estate (famous for their delicious English-grown tea!) will open their usually private botanical gardens for the weekend of 20th and 21st April 2024. Visitors will be welcomed to experience “Tregothnan’s unequalled diversity of trees, historic, botanical and rare collections, sweeping vistas and peaceful secluded groves on the banks of the beautiful river Fal.” The weekend is ticketed and money raised will go to a range of charities supported by Tregothnan.
Mannings tip: Located a 20 minute drive from Mannings hotel, or accessible by public transport from Truro, take advantage of our ‘Stay for £1’ offer on our hotel rooms throughout April and book in now to visit these rarely seen gardens!
Image: Tregothnan Gardens
Trelissick Gardens
Trelissick is an idyllic spot for a gentle ramble in a wonderful Cornish coastal garden, with a beautifully-situated grand house at the heart of it. Discover exotic blooms and local wildflowers with a backdrop of spectacular maritime views (look out for the Orangery – it’s an Instagram addict’s dream!).
However, the wider parkland and woodland trails are where the locals head again and again. With 300 acres to explore overlooking the river, keen walkers will enjoy the circular route to Roundwood Quay which takes in the whole estate.
Mannings tip: You can take a boat trip to Trelissick right here from Truro, and alight next to the King Harry ferry. A fantastic way to explore the River Fal and perhaps the perfect day out for multi-generational holidays in Cornwall! Read up on our guide to Enterprise boat trips.
Glendurgan Gardens
Situated above the hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River and near the village of Mawnan Smith, Glendurgan Garden boasts some stunning rare and exotic plants and is set in a 30 acre woodland valley.
The site has a fantastic cherry laurel maze which was created in 1833 and can be viewed from above on the side of the valley. Kids and adults alike will love to try and find the centre of the maze – and find their way out again!
Mannings tip: At Glendurgan you can leave the bottom of the garden through a gate and go right down to Durgan village and the beach – it’s an ideal spot for swimming and picnics, so pack a towel and a few sandwiches. Make sure you head back to Mannings and indulge in a delicious dinner at our restaurant after your busy day exploring!
St. Michael’s Mount
A little bit further afield you’ll find one of Cornwall’s most iconic visitor attractions, St. Michael’s Mount, situated on the tidal island in Mount’s Bay. The site is linked to the town of Marazion by an iconic man-made granite causeway, passable only between mid-tide and low water. Check the tide times before booking!
The island is managed by the National Trust, and the castle and chapel have been the home of the St Aubyn family since approximately 1650. According to legend, the island St. Michael’s Mount sits upon was once home to an 18-foot giant named Cormoran, who lived in a cave with his ill-gotten treasures obtained by terrorizing local towns and villages. See if you can spot some greenstone hidden in the granite causeway and find out how it links to the legendary giant.
Mannings tip: Explore more of Cornwall by getting the train down to Penzance to visit this spectacular site. Our hotel is only a short walk to the train station here in Truro. Fom Penzance station you can travel by bus or taxi to Marazion (about 10 minutes away). There is also a regular bus service from Truro with just one change – ask our friendly reception team to help you plan your journey!
Start your Cornish adventure at Mannings! If you would like any further information on any of the gardens above, or other local sites, our team will be very happy to assist you.
