Great British Heritage
Gardens of Cornwall Tour
Discover Cornwall’s remarkable horticultural variety on this expert-led Gardens of Cornwall tour, combining celebrated landmarks with lesser-known gardens against the county’s dramatic Atlantic backdrop.
Accompanied throughout by plant expert and garden writer David Hurrion, visit the extraordinary Eden Project and the beautifully restored Lost Gardens of Heligan, alongside the coastal setting of Caerhays Castle and the lush, subtropical landscapes of Trebah and Penjerrick. The Gardens of Cornwall tour also explores the water and woodland garden at Marsh Villa, the camellias, magnolias and Champion Trees of Trewithen, and Trelissick’s varied planting and views across the River Fal.
Your base is the characterful four-star Alverton Hotel in Truro, a Grade II-listed building ideally placed for exploring Cornwall’s outstanding gardens
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what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
David Hurrion
David is an accomplished plantsman, gardener, writer and broadcaster who has been growing plants for more than forty years. His extensive practical experience is underpinned by botanical and scientific training, together with a deep understanding of garden design, wildlife, geology and climate.
David has worked in gardens and nurseries, taught horticulture and spent more than twenty years writing and editing gardening publications, including BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. A genial and highly knowledgeable host, he has travelled widely in search of plants and gardens and brings both practical insight and infectious enthusiasm to every visit.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Arrive Independently at the Alverton Hotel from 15:00
This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and talk by David Hurrion.
Day 2: Marsh Villa and the Eden Project
Our first visit on this inspiring tour is to the Marsh Villa Gardens, a magical three-acre water and woodland garden, which lies in a former tidal creek and is rich in variety and conservation significance.
From here to the extraordinary Eden Project, opened in 2001 and described by The Guardian as “a mind-boggling feat of architecture and biological engineering”. Its eye-catching “Biomes” house one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests and a Mediterranean garden with cacti, gnarled olive trees, fruits and herbs.
Plenty of time for lunch (not included) and to explore will be allowed here before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Caerhays Castle
Our day begins with a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. These award-winning gardens, asleep for more than seventy years, are the scene of the largest garden restoration project in Europe. In the spring of 1991, the Gardens of Heligan lay under a blanket of bramble, ivy, rampant laurel and fallen timber. A year later the restoration team opened the gardens to enable the public to share in the excitement of their discovery, which thousands have been doing ever since.
Time for lunch here (not included) before heading to the Caerhays Estate, bordered by the South West Coastal Path. Caerhays has an international reputation for camellias and rhododendrons and is home to a world-famous National Magnolia Collection, whilst the castle itself was designed by renowned architect, John Nash around 200 years ago and both the building and its occupants have played significant roles in the history of Cornwall. We enjoy a guided tour of the gardens. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Trebah Garden and Penjerrick Garden
Two splendid gardens on the agenda today, starting with Trebah – a wild and colourful Cornish garden with something for everyone. When the tour was being planned, David Hurrion simply described this garden as “wow – just wow!”, high praise indeed from someone who has visited literally thousands of gardens in his time. The garden was laid out originally in the 1840s and flourished to become one of England’s great gardens by the 1930s. The garden was sadly neglected for many years following the death of the original owner, until it was taken over by the Hibbert family, who still run it today. Wander down the “Zig-Zag”, a slope where a rare collection of exotic Mediterranean plants was recently planted. You will also see Rhododendron Valley, a huge amphitheatre of sixty-foot-high rhododendrons, many of which were imported as seed in the 1890s. Time for lunch here (not included) before heading to garden number two of the day.
Garden number two today is Penjerrick, often referred to as “Cornwall’s true jungle garden”, established in the 19th century by Robert Were Fox, whose brother was responsible for Trebah so a family connection between today’s two sights. This peaceful 15-acre, sub-tropical, spring-flowering garden has considerable historical and botanical interest. Rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, magnificent trees all grow in this sub-tropical valley, in which ponds, bamboos, gunnera and immense tree ferns abound. Wildlife and birds take full advantage of the semi-wild garden. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Trewithen Gardens and Trelissick Gardens
Alas our time in the far southwest must come to an end, but not before two final – and wonderful – gardens, starting with the gardens at Trewithen. Trewithen means “house of the trees” and the name truly describes this early Georgian house in its wood and parkland setting. The 30-acre garden is an International Camellia Society Garden of Excellence (1 of only 5 in the UK) and is also renowned for its rhododendrons, magnolias and Champion Trees. It is truly a beautiful place to visit, with something to discover at every turn of its level gravelled pathways.
Time for lunch here (not included) before heading to the National Trust’s Trelissick, a woodland garden with formal lawns, herbaceous borders, exotic planting, an orchard and views over the River Fal. The 1750s house operates as a delightful place to sit and take in the view with refreshments from the house tearoom. Return to the hotel for approx. 17.00, where the tour will finish.
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Alverton Hotel, Truro
The four-star Alverton Hotel is located in a grade II listed building which oozes character. With its own bell tower, slate roof, arched mullion windows, ivy clad walls and curved archways, the hotel is an architectural gem housing an excellent hotel with a high standard of comfort and service. Facilities here include bar, restaurant and comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, radio, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Car parking: complimentary at the hotel
Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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