Moyclare Garden

Meander around this typically Cornish garden crammed with colourful plantsman's treasures.

Take a small step back in time to the 1970s, when Moyclare peaked as a horticultural hotspot and became well known for being 'the most televised garden in Cornwall'. It was also visited by a host of celebrities, from John Betjeman to Margery Fish to Beverley Nichols. Set-up by Mrs Moira Reid in 1927, despite being in a frost-pocket Moyclare flourished successfully, and species such as Cytisus Moyclare Pink and Astrantia Moira Reid originated here.

Having written articles for the RHS journal, Mrs Reid's approach to her gardening style was summed-up perfectly in her feature 'Cramming them in'. With just an acre to plant, she stuck to her desire to eliminate the visibility of any bare earth, creating a pint-sized paradise truly brimming with beauty. But over-planting was to become a problem for the new owner, Mrs Henslowe, who found on taking over in 1993, that overgrowth had left many of the delicate plants smothered. Since then a thorough rehabilitation programme has seen the garden spring back to its former spirit, and it is, yet again, a paradise of some notability.

Follow the paths meandering through the succession of beds and a trip around the garden makes it seem a lot bigger than its minute acre suggests. The paths make for easy access between the informal planting, and new features include a pergola covered with golden hop, and a pond bordered by astilbes.

OPEN ALL YEAR TO GROUPS BY PRIOR ARRAGEMENT