Scorrier House

Don your walking boots and discover a magical combination of history and horticulture.

OPEN ALL YEAR STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT

This historical garden and house was built and planted in 1798, by John Williams, the grandson of John Williams of Burncoose - a successful manager of mines and well-known adventurer. The house once contained a unique collection of minerals, but it had to be rebuilt in 1862 following a destructive fire.

It was the gardens that came to be more celebrated, following the arrival of the gardener William Lobb in the early 1800s. Lobb became a plant collector and sent back plants and seeds from worldwide expeditions. This transformed Scorrier into something of a horticultural hotspot, as species such as Fitzroya Plicata, Sequoiadendron Giganteum and Thuja Plicata were planted in the mid 1800s. The most prized collection is planted in the walled garden, which is one of the most important features of the garden if you've got a nose for horticulture and history. Also surviving from this period is the wall of camellias, which was described in 1881 as one of the finest of its kind in the country. Take a peek and you may well agree that this statement might still stand to this day.

The extensive grounds make a beautiful garden for walkers, especially in spring when the 10 acres of parkland, lawns, woodland and beds come alive with colour and scent. An air of history relentlessly penetrates the horticultural themes, with features such as the lawn-terrace adorned with classical urns, a fine restored garden conservatory and a Quartz Grotto garden. In spring stroll amongst the blooms of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias, and in the knot garden discover a sundial surrounded by beech hedging.

Whether it's the plants, history or pure beauty that draws you to Scorrier, you won't fail to be amazed at its unique and vibrant treasures.