Trerice

Experience the hidden delights of this secluded valley garden surrounding a grand Elizabethan manor house.

Take a step back in time to discover the roots of one of the crucial tools of gardening - the lawnmower. In the hayloft behind the great barn you will find an exhibition on the history of the lawnmower along with some fascinating artefacts that tell the tale of how today's Flymo started out. But this isn't the only feature that makes this an extraordinary historical garden. The house itself is a former Domesday manor that was updated to be the Elizabethan house that now stands in around 1570. Peek inside the magnificent architecture and you will find fine fireplaces, plaster ceilings, oak and walnut furniture, interesting clocks, needlework and Stuart portraits. Keep your neck craned to witness the highlight of the interior, which is the beautiful barrel ceiling of the Great Chamber.

With so much to explore inside and out, this family friendly spot is bound to keep lively imaginations gripped as you pass from the historical journey into a garden wonderland. The rainbow of plantings now evident is in fact the doings of the National Trust, who have had possession of the house since 1953. The forecourt is edged with vibrant borders, from where you can climb the steps to the bowling green. Keep the kids busy with a game of Kayles (Cornish skittles) on the parade ground, and fill their sights and senses with the kaleidoscopic offerings of the herbaceous borders and the beautiful, fruit-filled orchards.

Small is Beautiful, but in the case of these six acres it's not too small to find plenty of space and seclusion, be it in summer or winter. Just three miles from Newquay, Trerice is ideally located for a whole host of other attractions, and if you're around at Christmas don't miss its traditional decorations and festive themes.