Trewidden Garden

Enjoy the peaceful beauty of this intimate woodland garden that is home to one of the largest camellia collections in the country.

Venture just beyond Penzance and you will come across this low-key woodland garden that was planted in the late 19th Century. The garden began to gain recognition under Thomas Bolitho and is famous for being the site of possibly the earliest tin workings in the county. Part of the garden is set in a medieval open-cast tin mine, and in addition to a magnificent array of over 300 varieties of camellias there is also an abundance of magnolias.
One of the most superior collections of tree ferns in the Northern Hemisphere now grows from one of the old mining pits, including some species that are over 150 years old.

Step out into this idyllic garden for walkers and meander along a maze of paths amongst the magnificently rich reds, blues, purples, oranges, dusky pinks and yellows. With colour that lasts long past the summer months, Trewidden now stays open in autumn to show off its late-flowering hydrangeas, fuchsias and tender perennials.

Not only is this a dog friendly plot, but with so many quirky features to be discovered on your wanders this is also a family friendly destination that's bound to keep the kids in a permanent state of awe. Lead their imaginations into the deep as they peer at the fibreglass whale's tale rising out of the lake and discover a rescued red telephone box nestled in the dense jungle. Huge tin smelting bowls will capture curious minds and enable you to introduce them to the tales of Cornish heritage. The walled garden, recently restored, has a rare ground vinery and a display of mining artefacts.

Enjoy meandering, or stop and relax whilst your senses feast on the sweet scents and colourful sights of this historically and horticulturally significant garden.