19 Secret Gardens in Cornwall You’ve Never Heard Of

Bonython Estate – A Hidden Gem on the Lizard Peninsula

Nestled between the UK’s most southerly town of Helston and the wild swathes of the Lizard Peninsula is the storybook garden of Bonython Estate. A picturesque haven blending traditional design and tropical horticulture, this South African-inspired garden can be found within private manor grounds and welcomes visitors seasonally each year. Particularly spellbinding in April and May, it’s said that “stepping into Bonython Estate in springtime is like stepping into a romantic French Impressionist painting”.¹

• Grid Reference: SW 69581 21234
• What3Words: award.unsettled.simmer

Trewidden Garden – Cornwall Gardens to Visit in Spring

Not far from the National Trust’s Trengwainton Garden and Tremenheere Sculpture Garden in Penzance, the dog-friendly Trewidden Garden is a tangled maze of flower-lined pathways. One of the Great Gardens of Cornwall, this lesser-known gem is particularly adored for its eye-catching collection of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias that bloom in spring. Stroll around its pathways and immerse in the established array of shrubs and plants, some of which are more than a century old.²

• Grid Reference: SW 44245 29455
• What3Words: practical.reporter.fancied

Enys Garden – One of Cornwall’s Oldest Secret Gardens

A place where time slows and nature reclaims, Enys Garden east of Penryn is a South Cornish gem. A flourishing bubble of biodiversity filled with 30-acre gardens and sweeping woodland, this special site is loved by locals for its otherworldly feel. One of the oldest gardens in Cornwall, it has been cited in ancient texts and was illustrated by the Cornish naturalist William Borlase in the 1700s.³ Today, it is especially magical in spring when swathes of bluebells coat the woodland floor.

• Grid Reference: SW 79103 36357
• What3Words: tester.dimension.advice

Potager Garden – A Rewilded Sanctuary in Constantine

A new window into an almost forgotten world, Potager was revived from the bramble-entwined remains of an old plant nursery. Tucked in a quiet corner of Constantine in Cornwall, it encourages food lovers and nature fans alike to escape the rest of the world for a while. Head over to visit its converted greenhouse café, where ingredients are sourced from the onsite kitchen garden and local surrounds. Or, for something different, take part in guided workshops in their community garden.

• Grid Reference: SW 74455 29070
• What3Words: farmer.looms.relegate

Trenance Garden – Newquay’s Verdant Sanctuary

Newquay in Cornwall is famous for its salt-kissed surf scene with golden sand beaches and barrelling waves. That said, just outside of the town centre you can find an altogether more verdant side of Newquay in the form of Trenance Garden. A leisure playpark dating back to the early 1900s,⁴ this subtropical sanctuary is home to 26 acres of gardens and parkland, including a zoo, lake, tennis courts, miniature railway and more.

• Grid Reference: SW 81709 61234
• What3Words: insurers.airbase.orchids

The Japanese Garden – A Secret Gateway to East Asia

Situated near Mawgan in Newquay, The Japanese Garden promises a little slice of Japan in the heart of Cornwall. Usually open to visitors from March until November each year, this seasonal treat makes for a charming place to explore. Originally created as a meditative garden, this petite acre of peace exudes tranquillity and calm. As you explore, keep your eyes peeled for authentic Japanese flora, including Japanese maples, bonsai trees, bamboos, and more.

• Grid Reference: SW 87288 66038
• What3Words: lipstick.umbrella.hazy

Pinetum Gardens – Home to One of Cornwall’s Largest Plant Collections

On the edge of the ocean above Carlyon Bay near St. Austell, the stunning Pinetum Gardens beckon with a hidden oasis. Family and dog-friendly, this family-owned pinetum encompasses ten individually themed gardens across a spellbinding 30-acre site. Tended over the last 40 years,⁵ it features one of the largest plant collections in Cornwall and stars breathtaking champion trees. Head over to uncover a lesser-known side to the county and fall in love with its landscaped spaces.

• Grid Reference: SX 04392 52711
• What3Words: fully.liquid.includes

Port Eliot House & Gardens – A Riverside Haven on the Tiddy

Port Eliot House in St Germans is well-known in Cornwall for its fantastic events and festivals. But did you know that the estate is also home to some amazing gardens too? “Secluded from the outside world,”⁶ the gardens are usually open seven days a week during select hours and tickets can be purchased online or onsite. Don your favourite pair of walking shoes and set off to savour the gorgeous riverside gardens hidden in plain sight on the banks of the Tiddy.

• Grid Reference: SX 35935 57829
• What3Words: bats.launcher.traffic

Pencarrow House & Garden – North Cornwall’s Hidden Gem

Head to the ruggedly romantic North Cornwall to find Pencarrow House and its Grade II listed gardens. Situated in the middle of Wadebridge and Bodmin, it rests just a short distance from dramatic coastline and atmospheric moors yet offers a world away from the two. Roam its tamed spaces, from the formal landscaped gardens to the emerald canopies of native woodland. Particular highlights include an Iron Age hill fort, sunken Italian Garden, icehouse, and historic Cornish cross.⁷

• Grid Reference: SX 03958 71173
• What3Words: skippers.conquest.headliner

Antony Woodland Garden – A Humphry Repton Masterpiece

Walk through past and present at the National Trust’s Antony House in Antony, near Torpoint. Curated around the 18th century house, the gardens at Antony were notably designed by esteemed English landscape architect, Humphry Repton.⁸ Having designed the gardens of Sezincote and Adlestrop Park in the Cotswolds, Repton brought his classic style to Antony, transforming the gardens, showcasing floral displays, and capitalising on the sweeping views overlooking the River Lynher.

• Grid Reference: SX 41570 56613
• What3Words: shins.kinder.microfilm

Terence Coventry Sculpture Garden – An Ode to Nature and Art

Offering a unique garden design in symphony with manmade art and the natural world, the Terence Coventry Sculpture Garden is a must-visit. Set on the clifftops above the coastal village of Coverack, this heavenly garden is easy to miss, yet offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of late sculptor Terence Coventry. Explore the gardens across three dedicated fields and admire the harmony between each sculpture and the setting as you absorb the magic.

• Grid Reference: SW 77874 17381
• What3Words: verbs.hypocrite.blockage

Kestle Barton – An Award-Winning Conservation Project

One of the best secret gardens in Cornwall, the gardens of Kestle Barton were created following an award-winning conservation project. Located within the grounds of an ancient farmstead above the leafy depths of the Helford River, it couldn’t be better placed for escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life. Mosey over to Kestle Barton and explore the gardens, imagined by garden designer James Alexander Sinclair,⁹ and fall in love with the spring, summer and autumnal displays.

• Grid Reference: SW 75336 25464
• What3Words: huddling.custodial.author

Burncoose Estate Gardens – The Oldest Part of Caerhays Estate

Part of the Caerhays Estate, Burncoose has roots dating back hundreds of years. Occupying a picturesque pocket of central Cornwall, it is home to around 30 acres¹⁰ of green spaces, woven with woodland, gardens and lawns. A riot of colour throughout spring and into early summer, the gardens are equally as beautiful in the wintery months when the fiery tones of autumn give way to glistening frosts and frozen ponds.

• Grid Reference: SW 74175 39262
• What3Words: smirking.raking.ship

Penjerrick Garden – A 200-Year-Old Secret Garden

The product of 200 years of vision and gentle taming, the jungle garden of Penjerrick near Falmouth is a picture of unspoilt beauty. A place where flora thrives and nature leads the artistic direction, this 15-acre subtropical garden is a delight to explore. Venture over to the south coast, between Budock Water and Mawnan Smith, to arrive at Penjerrick and step into a verdant wonderland framed by centuries-old tree ferns and moss-draped trees.

• Grid Reference: SW 78147 30929
• What3Words: harsh.format.clip

Prideaux Place – Padstow Gardens Shaped by Centuries

Dating back to the 1730s,¹¹ the gardens of the Grade I listed Prideaux Place in Padstow are full of intrigue. Tended by Elizabethan, Georgian, and Victorian hands, the gardens are now undergoing a sensitive restoration project. Stroll the grounds, looking out for garden highlights such as the lime avenue, Victorian formal garden, and acer glade. To continue your Cornwall garden walk, you can also visit the wider deer park beyond the gardens.

• Grid Reference: SW 91374 75574
• What3Words: grumbling.runners.cobras

Trevince Gardens – From Industrial Roots to Riotous Blooms

In the mining heart of Cornwall, Trevince’s estate gardens were originally planted 200 years ago¹² in the county’s industrial heyday. A quiet idyll where time stands still, the gardens present a preserved Cornish oasis where history and nature entwine. Visit the gardens seasonally between March and September and enjoy learning about the local heritage, as well as soaking up the serene ambience of this secret garden.

• Grid Reference: SW 73747 40376
• What3Words: stormy.volume.meatball

Homestead Woodland Garden – A Café, Garden, and Sculpture Park

Close to the town of Helston can be found one of the county’s most charming secret gardens. Privately owned, the Homestead Woodland Gardens features a series of wild and tended spaces which can be enjoyed by visitors. Between spring and autumn, guests are invited to explore the gardens, while throughout the year, the sculpture garden and woodland are open. Seek refreshment at the onsite café and relish the gardens with its hillside sculptures, wildlife ponds, deciduous trees, and wildflowers.

• Grid Reference: SW 68023 32425
• What3Words: fells.evoke.judges

Tregrehan Garden – One of Cornwall’s Great Gardens

Decorating the grounds of a regal country house between Fowey and St Austell, Tregrehan is one of Cornwall’s Great Gardens. Sitting pretty on the balmy south coast and sheltered by undulating hills and towering trees, this garden features some of Cornwall’s precious temperate rainforest. Home to an array of plants and wildlife, it is a fantastic place to explore for nature lovers and wayfaring wanderers alike. Visit on spring open days or by prior booking and savour a unique glimpse into one of the county’s most secret gardens.

• Grid Reference: SX 05094 53618
• What3Words: spends.flexibly.another

St Michael’s Mount Gardens – An Island Haven in Mount’s Bay

Surely mentioned in every comprehensive travel guide to Cornwall, St Michael’s Mount is one of the most iconic castles in the country. If you’re visiting Cornwall, then a trip to this island haven is a must. That said, it’s not just the fairytale castle, cobbled causeway, or handsome harbour that attracts people to the mount. Festooned with succulents, palms and subtropical plants, St Michael’s Mount Gardens make for a worthy destination in their own right and captivate imaginations with all manner of horticultural wonder.

• Grid Reference: SW 51466 29813
• What3Words: whoever.overdone.sober

Best Gardens in Cornwall

Ready to explore hidden gardens Cornwall?

Step into an untamed world of secret gardens and fall in love with hidden havens shrouded in greenery. From private gardens in Cornwall only open on select days to Cornish gardens open to the public year-round, each garden tells its own unique story. Uncover the spring gardens of Cornwall for showstopping colours, seek out subtropical gardens in Cornwall for summer sanctuary, or revisit in winter for frost-laced magic. Whether you’re wandering through time-old Cornish estate gardens or secret utopias decorating the coast, inspiration lies around every quiet corner.

Article Sources

1. Hubbard, Tim. (2023). Secret Gardens of Cornwall: A Private Tour. London: Frances Lincoln. Photographs Jo and Rob Whitworth Secret Gardens of Cornwall: A Private Tour[↩]
2. Trewidden. (n.d.). The Garden. [online] Available at: https://trewidden.co.uk/trewidden-gardens/ Gardens Trewidden Gardens[↩]
3. Enys Gardens. (n.d.). The Gardens. [online]. Available at: https://enysgardens.org.uk/gardens/ Enys Gardens[↩]
4. Trenance Cottages. (n.d.). Our History. [online]. Available at: https://trenancecottages.co.uk/our-history/ Trenance Cottages[↩]
5. Pinetum Gardens. (n.d). About Us. [online]. Available at:https://pinetumgardens.com/about Pinetum Gardens[↩]
6. Port Eliot. (n.d.). Gardens. [online]. Available at: https://www.porteliot.co.uk/gardens/ Port Eliot[↩]
7. Pencarrow. (n.d.). Gardens. [online]. Available at: https://www.pencarrow.co.uk/gardens/ Pencarrow[↩]
8. National Trust. (n.d.). The Garden at Antony. [online] Available at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/antony/the-garden-at-antony National Trust[↩]
9. Kestle Barton. (n.d.). Kestle Barton Gardens. [online] Available at: https://www.kestlebarton.co.uk/land/kestle-barton-gardens/ Kestle Barton[↩]
10. Burncoose Estate. (n.d.). Burncoose History. [online] Available at: https://www.burncooseestate.co.uk/history-gardens/ Burncoose Estate[↩]
11. Prideaux Palace. (n.d.). The Gardens. [online]. Available at: https://prideauxplace.co.uk/the-gardens/ Prideaux Place[↩]
12. Trevince Gardens. (n.d.). About. [online]. Available at:https://trevince.co.uk/about/ Trevince Gardens[↩]