Lamorran Garden

Savour the glittering sea views over Falmouth Bay from this stunning Mediterranean-style garden.

Lamorran boasts over four-acres of sub-tropical paradise planted with an adventurous range of plants that flourish in its waterside location. A small but simply stunning garden, it ranks highly in our 'small is beautiful' collection, and featured in the Nation's Favourite Gardens broadcast by the BBC in 2002.

Inspired by travels abroad, this horticultural hotspot hosts an extensive collection of sub-tropical species set amongst tranquil water gardens. When Robert Dudley-Cooke moved to Lamorran House from Surrey in 1982, he brought with him many types of rhododendrons and evergreen azaleas. Now you can find over 500 varieties of azaleas bursting into bloom as a result of his initial efforts.

As he set about re-creating the gardens of his new residence, the first major development was the Japanese garden with a grotto and waterfall. Then the lower garden was transformed into a Mediterranean-style garden with innovative terrace-plantings in the style of the great gardens of the Italian Riviera. A small temple sits above a wall of bourgainvillea and from the succulent bank sprouts agaves and lampranthus.

Wander through various types of acacias and hundreds of palms - from the common Cordyline Australis to more rare species - and experience a distinctly tropical atmosphere as you tread beneath the lush jungle-like canopies. This is a fantastic garden for strolling and relaxing, or for keen garden-enthusiasts to nose into the techniques of the acclimatisation of exotics in the Cornish climate. Whatever your intent, Lamorran is a continually developing horticultural corner and makes a fascinating and unique day out for all garden lovers.

Open Wednesdays and Fridays, April to September, 10.00am to 5.00pm.