When we had an annual pass for the Eden Project, it gave us free entry to six other attractions in Cornwall during the months of November and January. We made the most of this and visited all six places! One of these places was The Lost Gardens of Heligan which we chose to visit in the month of November. Had it not been for the free entry offer, we would have preferred to visit Heligan Gardens in the summer months, but this was a deal not to be missed so we eagerly waited until we could visit for free! In this blog post, I will share our thoughts on The Lost Gardens of Heligan during our rainy, late autumn visit!

A Rainy November Adventure at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Rain poured down on the day we visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan. While it wasn’t quite the idyllic stroll we’d envisioned, it certainly didn’t dampen our spirits! We put on our raincoats, popped up some umbrellas and set off to explore as much of the gardens as possible before succumbing to the elements!

Our first stop was the wooden play area called the Giant’s Adventure Trail. The network of wooden balance beams provided fun for the whole family as we all had a go – though navigating the rain-slicked wood required a touch of caution! On a drier day, this playground would be a haven for energetic youngsters!

Despite it being November, the gardens still boasted vibrant life. Lush evergreen foliage carpeted the grounds in the woodland areas and we even stumbled upon giant mushrooms with caps the size of my hand!

The children enjoyed looking for creatures in the large pond, and the bee observation hut offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of these busy pollinators.

The towering gunneras, a signature feature of the gardens, had already been cut back for winter. However, the leftover giant leaves, laid over the stumps for winter protection, hinted at their impressive summer size.

Our journey continued into the tropical jungle. Even on this dreary, rainy and grey autumn day, the dense overgrown foliage and towering bamboo transported us to a world of vibrant greenery! We really did feel transported to a jungle!

The bright green palms stood out against the dull grey weather, adding a cheerful touch to our walk. The huge, overgrown ferns lining the water’s edge created an almost magical scene with their reflections shimmering on the surface.

The highlight of the jungle area, for both us and the kids, was the rope bridge. It’s the longest Burmese Rope Bridge in Britain! It allowed us to walk high above the lush tropical plants while giving us the thrill of experiencing a giant rope bridge walk.

One thing to mention is how the peacefulness of the gardens during our visit was a highlight. Perhaps due to it being the first weekend of November, and raining, we practically had the place to ourselves! It was the ideal time to visit to escape the crowds!

Before giving in to the rain, thoroughly soaked after a couple of hours of exploration, we managed to squeeze in a quick go on the zipline in a large, open play area called Heligan Play Meadow.

Unfortunately, the wet weather prevented us from trying anything else, but the kids were clearly eyeing the other equipment with longing. Despite the damp, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Lost Gardens of Heligan. We’d love to return on a sunny day and see how much more there is to explore, such as longer walks through the woodland, the promise of blooming flowers in the spring and summer, and playground adventures for the children.

Is it Worth Visiting The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Winter?

No matter what the season, we love to explore gardens and nature as a family, we simply wrap up warm! However, I will say that we should have waited for a sunny dry day, at least, for our autumn/winter visit to Heligan. I do feel it was spoilt somewhat by the rain, but we were still able to see what the gardens had to offer and I can only imagine they’d be 1000x better on a sunny day, and 10000x better on a warm sunny summer’s day!

And, obviously, plenty more plants and flowers will be blooming in the summer months, but there is still plenty of evergreen tropical plants to enjoy in the late autumn months and the start of winter at Heligan.

The main benefit of visiting in winter, however, is the gardens are REALLY quiet. Especially on a random winter’s weekend when it’s raining! So if you prefer to avoid the crowds and you’re not bothered about warmth or sun, then a winter visit will be perfect for you!

We loved what we saw and it’s only made us keen to return. We want to revisit on a warm spring or summer’s day and again for their winter lights event. We’ll be checking out the local’s passes and purchasing soon for a year of visiting throughout the seasons I’m sure!

Brief History of The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan boast a fascinating history, one of grand design, peaceful neglect, and remarkable revival.

In the 16th century, the Tremayne family acquired the Heligan estate. Over the next 200 years, they cultivated a landscape reflecting the popular styles of the time. By the late 18th century, the gardens flourished under the guidance of Rev. Henry Hawkins Tremayne. He collaborated with designer Thomas Gray to create a network of gardens, including the Italian Terrace, the productive Kitchen Garden, and the mysterious Jungle.

Sadly, the outbreak of World War I marked a turning point. The gardens fell into disuse as manpower shifted towards the war effort. Over the following decades, neglect and the harsh Cornish weather allowed nature to reclaim the land, obscuring the once-grand gardens beneath a tangle of vegetation, not dissimilar to the wild, natural and untamed beauty of Penjerrick Gardens I’m sure.

The story takes a dramatic turn in 1990. Tim Smit, a conservationist, purchased the neglected estate. Recognising the potential hidden beneath the overgrowth, he embarked on a monumental restoration project. This ambitious undertaking, Europe’s largest garden restoration project, continues to this day.

Where are The Lost Gardens of Heligan?

Address: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, B3273, Pentewan, Saint Austell, PL26 6EN

Website: https://www.heligan.com/plan-your-visit/before-you-visit/how-to-find-us/

More Things To Do in Pentewan

• Looking for somewhere to stay nearby? We highly recommend Pentewan Sands Holiday Park especially if you have kids!
• If you love coastal path walks then try walking the coast path to Mevagissey from Pentewan.
• Check out Pentewan Beach, coast and village while you’re in the area!