Getting lost in summer at the Lost Gardens
The Lost Gardens of Heligan…always one of my favourite places in Cornwall to visit and somewhere that really celebrates the local seasons. Not only does Heligan showcase the best of Cornish seasons in produce and flora and fauna but there are usually a variety of great themed activities and events.
Until the 4th September you can enjoy Heligan’s Fairy trail-spot the Wildflower Fairies among the wildflower meadows and woodlands of the Lost Gardens.
Fairies or not, Heligan is always a magical place to me.
There are always plenty of other things to spot
The seasonal…
…and permanent residents…
The Kitchen Garden produces 4.5 tonnes of fruit and vegetables per year!
We picked up some seasonal veg to take home for dinner (free to take as surplus).
But not before an ice cream in the sun!
For those unfamiliar with the gardens
The Lost Gardens of Heligan cover 200 acres of woodland, meadows and walled gardens. The outbreak of WW1 meant the gardens (dating back 200 years) were ‘lost’ until they were rediscovered around 25 years ago and restored to their full glory. Now open to the public, the estate includes Victorian productive gardens (which include a kitchen and flower garden for produce), pleasure grounds (Italian garden, Sundial garden, summerhouse etc.) and the UK’s only outdoor jungle.
As well as the amazing gardens there is a farm area which is managed using sustainable and low-intensity methods where you can see traditional and rare breeds, such as pigs, sheep, poultry, goats, cattle and horses.
There is also a ‘hide’ area where you can sit quietly and enjoy some of Heligan’s resident wild birds feeding just outside the window.
Also popular is the rope bridge within the jungle area which is considered to be one of the longest of its kind in Britain. The bridge is a great way of enjoying the sub-tropical plants and foliage from above and always fun for little (and not so little) adventurers!
There are lots of other facilities like the zip-line and children’s play area and plenty of options for refreshments on site with food and drink shacks, cafés and a BBQ hut. However, there are also plenty of spots for a picnic too.
Dogs on leads are welcome (always plenty of pooches to do a bit of dog-spotting!)
For more information and to book tickets head to www.heligan.com