Trengwainton Garden

CORNWALL TOURISM AWARDS 2010 - Cafe of the Year - Gold

Experience stunning views and an abundance of exotic trees and shrubs in a garden cradled just inland of Mounts Bay.

For those of you with a nose for gardening, this horticultural hotspot is home to magnificent walled gardens growing species not seen anywhere else on mainland Britain. Marvel at the styrax, eucryphia, stewartia and the 'Lobster Claw' - Clianthus puniceus, and discover hybrids created from plant-hunting expeditions to Assam and Burma.

This historical garden was once residence to the Cornish Arundell family, but was landscaped by Sir Rose Price of Penzance. Price planted conifers with elm, oak, ash and beech, as well as nine-walled gardens whose ramped beds remain a feature to this day. When the estate came into the hands of the Bolitho family, they built the present carriageway and developed the gardens with help of their cousins, the Caerhays. Seeds sent back from plant-hunting missions were expertly hybridised by the head gardener, Alfred Creek, who was responsible for planting a stunning series of rhododendrons.

Alongside the intriguing evidence of yesteryear, now you can follow a stream garden through the valley, which was planted later in the 1950s with skunk cabbage, meconopsis, primulas and other bog plants. Escape to the intimate tranquillity of this woodland garden, and from the rich collection of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, meander up to a terrace boasting beautiful views of Mount's Bay to The Lizard.

With lots to explore and plenty to keep short imaginations captivated, Trengwainton is a fabulously family friendly garden. There are children's trails to follow, children's menus in the tearoom and well-equipped baby-changing facilities.

Opening arrangements

Garden, shop and tea room*: