The Lost Gardens of Heligan: Cornwall's Hidden Gem

Searching for somewhere cool & mysterious to explore in the South of Cornwall? Well, look no further, because I have a Cornish hidden gem that should be high on your ‘to do’ list. The Lost Gardens of Heligan!

This place is known as one of the most mysterious estates in England. But what makes it so special, and why exactly is it ‘lost’?

In this article...

What’s the address for The Lost Gardens of Heligan?

You’ll find this hidden gem not too far from the charming market town of St. Austell. The full address for the Lost Gardens of Heligan is:

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Pentewan,

St.Austell,

Cornwall,

PL26 6EN

How did the gardens of Heligan become lost?

The outbreak of WW1 saw the estates workforce switch their gardening tools for guns, as they went off and fought for their country in the trenches. Sadly many of these men lost their lives and never returned home to their families.

As time passed, this vibrant and flourishing estate became encased in a dense and unruly blanket of brambles and thorns. As nature thrived, The Lost gardens of Heligan sadly kissed goodbye to daylight and became a hidden secret. Thankfully, sometime later in 1990 the gardens were rediscovered and since became Europe’s largest garden restoration project!

Places to stay near the Lost Gardens in Cornwall

We tied in our visit to The Lost Gardens of Heligan whilst enjoying a staycation at the beautifully renovated Blue Bee Cottage. Situated in the medieval town of St.Columb Major, the cosy cottage is only a 30 minute drive away. Or there’s also The Bodmin Jail Hotel which is around a 35 minute drive away.

If you’d rather stay somewhere even closer to the lost gardens. Then your best option would be basing yourself in St. Austell, which is less than a 15 minute drive. It’s also one of the largest towns in Cornwall, so you’ll find plenty of accommodation options there.

When’s the best time to visit Heligan?

This is mostly down to personal preference, and what sort of weather you want. Do you visualise yourself soaking up the sun-rays in shorts and sandals, or protecting yourself from the elements in a raincoat and walking boots? Also think about the type of scenery you prefer. Are you wanting to see a rainbow of blooms during the summer, or fiery autumn leaves later in the year?

We visited the lost gardens on a crisp winters day in December, which meant the crowds were non existent and most of the autumn leaves had fallen. As the seasons change, so do the vistas. Just be prepared for the busyness’s that comes during the warmer summer months, especially with school holidays and the welcome return of sunshine.

If you want things to be a little quieter, perhaps opt for a chilly wintery visit like we did.

Ticket prices for The Lost Gardens of Heligan

There’s quite a range of admission options when it comes to visiting The Lost Gardens of Heligan, so i’ll try and break it down for you.

Standard admission tickets are: Adults: £24.95, children aged 5-17: £11, under 5’s are free, and theres a discounted rate for students at £13.50 per ticket.

Family tickets come in a couple different options. Which is a welcome novelty, as not all modern day families consist of 2 adults and two children. It’s nice to see they have branched out from the usual constraints when it comes to family tickets! The family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children costs £65. Or they have another family ticket for 1 adult and up to 3 children for £48.50.

It’s also worth mentioning that if you have a Newt membership, you can get in The Lost Gardens of Heligan for free. As this is one of their partner gardens!

Can you get a Lost Garden of Heligan membership?

If you live nearby and would make use of visiting here multiple times throughout the year (lucky you!) Then you could save yourself a fair chunk of money with a well priced Lost Garden’s of Heligan annual membership.

Individual Pass	£40
Joint Pass	£75
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children)	£87
Children’s Pass – 5 – 17 years	£12

Membership also gives you a 10% discount on selected items in the Heligan Shop, Plant Sales and Heligan Kitchen. You can also get in free if you have a Newt Garden membership.

What can you do at the Lost Gardens of Heligan?

Now it doesn’t take a scientist to know there’s some gardens involved here, but there’s also an entire estate and a 60 acre woodland to explore! Theres plenty to keep you busy with all the different themed gardens, an impressive Burmese rope bridge in the heart of a UK jungle, and The Lost Valley. Theres also a gift and plant shop, plus a restaurant that cooks up all the fresh produce they grow here. The Lost Gardens of Heligan also showcase different events throughout the year, like Christmas light trails and beekeeping workshops.

Whilst exploring the estate you’ll most likely spot some wildlife along the way. You could discover badgers, barn owls, hedgehogs, and if you’re lucky, you might see a king fisher perched by the pond. We had a sweet little robin fly out, which was so friendly that it almost landed on James’ hand! There’s also a giant bug hotel, honeybee observation hive and some farm animals to say hello to as well.

What are the different types of gardens at Heligan

It’s actually a little mad how many different types of gardens they have in Heligan. All of them are unique, with completely different styles, plants and designs, making them really fun to explore.

The productive garden

This is where they grow over 300 varieties of heritage fruit, vegetables, salad and herbs. If you go to the Heligan Kitchen for lunch, you’ll be able to taste some of the fresh produce too! James had one of their roast dinners which he thoroughly enjoyed and I had a delicious slice of lemon cake. Perfect after a lovely morning spent wandering around the grounds.

The pleasure grounds

These were a symbol of wealth, and they provided a romantic place to relax and soak in the golden sunshine. This garden is full of pretty paths, bright Rhododendrons and a tranquil cherub style water feature.

The jungle

This is the only outdoor jungle in the UK! The wooden footpath winds it way through the jungle, where you’ll be surrounded by tall palm trees & giant rhubarb plants. But the best part has to be the added adventure that the Burmese rope bridge brings! It’s considered the longest one in Britain, and stretches 100 feet above the jungle floor. We were so lucky when we went as we had the bridge to ourselves!

Which is best, Eden Project or Lost Gardens of Heligan?

I think they are both worthy of a visit as they are quite different experiences. Perhaps if your Cornish holiday is an absolute washout all week, then maybe head to the Eden Project as some of it is indoors!

How long do you need to spend at The Lost Gardens of Heligan?

With over 200 acres to explore, you could easily spend an entire day here. At a minimum, you’d need 3-4 hours to get a good taste of what this place has to offer.

Can you buy plants at Heligan?

The plant shop sells locally sourced perennials, ferns and lots more. Enabling you to bring some a taste of The Lost Gardens of Heligan back home with you!

Visiting The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall

How big are the Lost Gardens?

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is spread across a whopping 200 acres, and involves a lot of walking. If you’re coming in the winter, you might want to wear some sturdy walking boots as some of the paths can be quite steep and slippery in places.

Are dogs allowed to visit Heligan?

Yes! Well behaved dogs are most welcome to join in with a walk around the Lost Gardens of Heligan. They must be kept on a lead at all times, and you’ll find dog waste bins dotted across the gardens. All of which are clearly marked on your free garden map that you’re given on arrival.

Is parking free at The Lost Gardens of Heligan?

Yes, you’ll find plenty of free parking at Heligan!

Lost Gardens Robin — Can you spot the robin?

Shopping at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

If you fancy doing a little bit of retail therapy whilst you’re here, there are three lovely little shops to peruse.

Heligan shop

This shop is the perfect place to find a sweet gift for someone special, or perhaps a little souvenir for yourself. Expect to see beautiful home furnishings, outdoor goods, as well as stationary, books, handmade jewellery and toys for the youngsters.

Plant sales

This is the place for the green-fingers amongst us! In here you’ll find plenty of locally sourced plants, along with seeds and gardening tools. So you can try and replicate a little bit of these gardens back at home!

The food hall

In here you’ll find classic foodie gifts such as indulgent fudge, chutneys and sweet Cornish honey. They also stock a selection of tasty treats which have been inspired from the flavours found at the Heligan gardens.

What time is Heligan open?

This will depend on what month and day you plan on visiting. As a general rule of thumb, Heligan is open between 10am-6pm daily. However during November occasional days are reduced to 3pm close, and nearly all of December is 10-3pm.

Places to eat at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

There are a few places to eat here, all of which offer delicious menus to tantalise your tastebuds.

Heligan Kitchen

Offers hearty cooked breakfasts, tasty soups, and sharing platters They have plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten friendly options too. The Heligan Kitchen is open from 9am – 5:00pm, with breakfast being served between 9am -11.30am, and lunch between 12pm-3pm.

Steward’s House

Is open daily from 10am – 5pm (but food is served until 3pm) On this smaller menu you’ll find items such as fluffy jacket potatoes, smoked bacon rolls, and a selection of cakes.

Garden Bites Takeaway

This little area is open between 10am-5:30pm, selling items such as homemade sandwiches, Cornish pasties, ice-creams and cakes. Along with a selection of hot and cold drinks.

Meadow Kitchen

This is where you should head if you fancy some tasty rotisserie meat and vegetables. They also sell light lunches, and you can wash it all down with a nice cup of tea.

What is the Heligan night garden?

Much like Longleat’s impressive ‘Festival of Light’, Heligan does something similar called ‘Heligan night garden’. They light up lots of fun shaped lanterns all along the accessible garden trail, to create a magical twilight stroll.

This walk will take roughly 1 hour to complete (depending on how long you stop to admire the enchanting lanterns of course!)

Conclusion

There is so much to see and do at The Lost Gardens of Heligan that you could easily spend an entire day here. Take your time wandering around all the different gardens and enjoy spotting some wildlife along the way. Don’t skip a visit to the Heligan Kitchen for a delicious meal or slice of cake before you head home.

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The Lost Gardens of Heligan: Cornwall’s Hidden Gem