The Magnificent 7: Cornwall’s Stunning “Tre” Gardens

If you haven’t yet visited them all, trying to keep the 14 different Great Gardens of Cornwall straight in your head can be a challenge, especially when seven of them share the same prefix – “Tre”.

“Tre” means homestead, farmstead or settlement, and the prevalence of the prefix in Cornish place names is a direct reflection of Cornwall’s agricultural past.

There’s an old Cornish adage, “By Tre, Pol and Pen shall ye know all Cornishmen”, and it’s not far wrong. There are around 1,300 place names in Cornwall that contain the element “Tre”, so our 7 gardens, Trebah, Tregothnan, Tregrehan, Tremenheere, Tresco, Trewidden and Trewithen, are just the tip of the tree.

To help you tell your Trewidden from your Trewithen, and to give you a taste of each garden’s unique personality, we’ve gathered insights straight from the people who know these gardens best.

Trebah Garden & Gunnera of Tremendous Proportions

Head Gardener: Darren Dickey

Darren invites you to experience the impressive scale of the gunnera plantation, planted in the 1950s. “Marvel at the giant leaves as you wander through Gunnera Passage.” He also recommends visiting the granite-built Amphitheatre, which hosts summer plays and children’s theatre.

Darren’s passion lies with the historic collection of Arborium rhododendrons, some named after Trebah or its owners. And when it’s time for a break, he suggests unwinding at Trebah’s private beach, with crystal-clear water and a Roskilly’s ice cream from the boathouse café to sweeten the day. Sounds tremendous!

Tregothnan & the First British Tea Plantation

Head Gardener: Neil Bennett

Tregothnan is famous for pioneering the outdoor planting of Camellias over 200 years ago, with original plants still flourishing today. Neil points out the garden’s superb Rhododendrons and Magnolias, which add seasonal bursts of colour. The private botanical gardens at Tregothnan are only open for one weekend a year, so if you want to visit you’ll need to plan ahead.

A truly unique feature of the Tregothnan Estate is the Tea Plantation, where Camellia sinensis plants have been growing since 1999. Neil notes the tea produced here enjoys an international reputation for excellence – a taste of Cornwall in every cup. Please note that the Tregothnan Estate is very vast and the tea plantations are located in Coombe, around a 30 minute drive from the private botanical gardens.

Tregrehan Garden & its Temperate Rainforest

Owner: Tom Hudson

Tom’s passion lies in cultivating rare and exotic plants for his Green Gene bank, often collaborating with Kew Gardens. He champions a ‘no dig’ carbon capturing policy, using mulching and leaf mould compost to nurture the soil naturally.

Over 25 years, Tom has developed the 20-acre Temperate Rainforest filled with nearly 300 Champion trees, alongside spectacular spring displays of Camellias, Magnolias, and Rhododendrons – a botanical treasure trove for visitors.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens & an Artistic Experience

Head Gardener: Alex Goodyear

Alex describes Tremenheere as one of the UK’s finest exotic gardens, filled with rare plants seldom seen on the mainland. But what sets it apart is the first-rate contemporary art collection interwoven with the landscape.

He recommends experiencing James Turrell’s ‘Aqua Obscura’ installation – a truly unique blend of art and nature that offers a sensory journey like no other.

Tresco Abbey Gardens & an Island Adventure

Head Gardener: Andrew Lawson

Unmistakable due to its exotic island location, there is nowhere else in the UK quite like Tresco! Andrew has tended Tresco Abbey gardens for 40 years and loves showing visitors around this extraordinary garden. His favourite spot is the top terrace, where vibrant proteas, banksias, and fynbos plants flourish beneath towering Norfolk Island pines.

Andrew also highlights the garden’s signature red squirrels, introduced by Judi Dench and her partner David Mills, which add a charming and lively touch to the island’s ecosystem. Mills is a conservationist and runs a wildlife center, and has joked that Judi Dench “fell in love with my squirrels before me”.

Trewidden Garden & its Tree Ferns

Head Gardener: Richard Morton

Richard cares deeply for this historic garden of local and county importance. He’s proud of the Tree Fern Pit/Dell, an ancient open-cast tin mine featuring a fine stand of tree ferns and two Champion Magnolia trees.

Richard encourages visitors to explore and seek out an ancient Jelly Palm planted in the 1890s and historic tin smelting kettles from nearby Bolitho’s tin works.

Trewithen & its Tremendous Camellias

Head of Gardens and Parks: Gary Long

Trewithen is an International Camellia Society ‘Garden of Excellence’, with an impressive collection of both wild-collected and cultivated hybrids – a must-see for camellia lovers.

Look out for the “Henheadhow Circle”, a large, bold sculpture by James Wild that’s made from reclaimed estate fencing, and symbolises the cyclical nature of life and the generations represented by the materials. The name “Henheadhow” translates to “generation” in Cornish.

Explore the Treasure Trove

Adventures await at Trebah, Tregothnan, Tregrehan, Tremenheere, Tresco, Trewidden & Trewithen.

Each garden offers a world of discovery, from tropical plants and white sand beaches to immersive works of art and ancient woodlands. Whether you want to stroll under giant gunnera leaves or sip a cup of Cornwall’s finest tea, each of these 7 gardens offer an unforgettable experience.

Which will you explore first?