There is a real plethora of houses and gardens to visit near the Lizard Peninsula.
Here are some of our favourites:
St Michael’s Mount – St Michael’s Mount is an historic castle, garden and island found off the coast of Marazion. Managed by the National Trust, the oldest buildings dating back from the 12th century. Perfect for the whole family you can immerse yourself in history and discover the legend of Jack the Giant Killer, visit the subtropical terraced garden and enjoy the breath taking views of spectacular Mount’s Bay. Enjoy the walk across the causeway to reach the island if the tide is in your favour or take a short boat ride across.
Trebah Garden – A 26 acre sub-tropical garden set in a steeply wooded ravine falling 200ft from the 18th Century house to the beach and the Helford River. This is our favourite garden and is rated among one of the 80 finest in the world.
Pendennis Castle – One of Henry VIII’s finest seaside fortresses. Travel back to Tudor Cornwall, discover poignant tales of wartime, and enjoy acres of green space at this historic gem. With a fun family trail, exhibition, and a soft play room near the café, there’s plenty for visitors of all ages to discover and enjoy.
Glendurgan Gardens – Trebah’s next door neighbour famous for its restored maze.
St Mawes Castle – The sister castle to Pendennis Castle. Today, displays and exhibits give a deeper insight into life inside the castle, and a children’s trail highlights its stories for younger visitors.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan – Acclaimed as the ‘garden restoration of the century’ by The Times.
Godolphin House – One of Cornwall’s most important medieval gardens with more than 500 acres of countryside, including sheltered woods, river banks and Godolphin hill, all set within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Potager Garden – Emerging from a bramble-choked wilderness, mature trees and lush herbaceous planting are interspersed with fruit and vegetables. Potager aims to demonstrate the beauty of productive organic gardening. In Alistair Sawday’s guide to ‘Slow England’ Potager was selected for its uniquely calm atmosphere. There are games to play, hammocks to laze in, boule and badminton to enjoy. There is a 100 foot glasshouse where visitors can sit, paint or even snooze and a very good vegetarian cafe.
The Eden Project – Visit the Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes. Events and concerts throughout the year and ice skating in the winter.
