Join Us to Celebrate the 30th Year of The Great Gardens of Cornwall

As an initiative that started with just five member gardens three decades ago, we’re proud to say that The Great Gardens of Cornwall is now a collective of 14 exceptional gardens across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Our gardens showcase the most stunning landscapes, diverse plant life, and rich horticultural heritage of the region. From subtropical paradises and historic estates to modern botanical wonders, the Great Gardens of Cornwall invites you to explore, experience, and connect with nature in one of the most beautiful counties in the UK.

In 2025 The Great Gardens of Cornwall is celebrating 30 years as a united group – however some of these iconic gardens have been supporting each other and collaborating for well over a century. As Charles Williams, Owner of the historic Caerhays Estate says, “You never visit a garden without taking a present”.

📸 Karl Davies

📸 Clive Nichols

Our fellowship of gardens has a distinctly pioneering character

 

Our gardens are trailblazers, every one of them on a quest of discovery. Perhaps this is because of our location on this rugged, southernmost peninsula, or maybe it’s the echoes of the adventurous spirit imparted by the plant hunters still ringing in our ears. Amongst the gardens there are designated safe sites for the protection of endangered species, valuable collections of rare plants for scientific research, ancient arboretums, propagation houses, hybridisation projects and platforms for education and social change.

The Gardens are a collective, but each one is unique. From the exposed Minack garden that clings to the cliff edge, to the wildly romantic castle gardens of Caerhays, they are all perfectly situated within their own locations, and proud of their distinct characters.

The 30th Year Activities Symbolise the Unity & Spirit of The Great Gardens of Cornwall

 

Watch this space for the launch of our celebratory 30th year photograph. The professionally art directed image brings together personalities from all 14 Great Gardens, symbolising the unity and collaboration that exists across this diverse group. Never before have The Great Gardens of Cornwall been artistically captured in this way.

We understand that the health of our planet relies on us working together on green initiatives, from local grass roots levels right up to international collaboration. The Great Gardens of Cornwall 30th year photograph is the perfect symbol that this fellowship is alive and well within Cornwall.

📸 Hufton+Crow

Outside view of the Valhalla Museum at Tresco, with a number of viking statues visible on the external of the building.

What’s Happening in 2025?

 

Throughout February six Great Gardens with nominated champion magnolia campbellii trees will start counting their blooms – Caerhays, Trewidden, Tregothnan, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trewithen and Trebah Garden. Once each tree has 50 blooms then Spring is officially here, and it’s usually much earlier in Cornwall than the rest of the country. It’s a fabulous time to visit the Great Gardens and bask in the riot of spring colour.

In March we’ll be launching a new social media content campaign entitled ‘Meet the Gardeners’ which will shine a light on the individuals who help each garden flourish. We’ll take the audience on a behind the scenes adventure to meet some of the innovators behind the Great Gardens, and there’ll be a fair number of tips and garden secrets being shared with you all as well. If you don’t already follow us on Instagram or Facebook, now is a great time to start.

Later in the season we’ll be releasing a mini-documentary film to celebrate our milestone. All 14 gardens have been involved in the creative film making process – and the results are well worth watching. Keep an eye on our social media channels for the premier.

This year The Great Gardens of Cornwall will also be publishing a new book! This book will be full of fascinating stories and horticultural achievements, and will take you on an adventure behind the gardens. Keep an eye on our socials, or sign up to our newsletter here, for updates and the chance to pre-order your copy.

It’s set to be an action packed season across all 14 of our world class gardens, with lots to see and experience. So here’s to 30 years of The Great Gardens of Cornwall and all that has been achieved by our dynamic collective, and here’s to 30 years more. It’s green space alliances like ours that are changing our world for the better.

A gardener holding a tool and wearing a heligan branded t-shirt in a farming field.