Spring is finally here! We saw it and felt it and heard it in all it’s colourful, noisy warmth on Sunday at Heligan Gardens. Annual passes are available during March for locals, see more on the website.

For a long time, the gardens at Heligan were ‘lost;’ kept secret not by a locked door, but by Nature who had staked her claim on the land. During the wars the house was used as a convalescent hospital and then as a base for American troops; the gardens slowly fell into disrepair.  The estate was rediscovered in 1990 and cleared by teams of volunteers. The garden was first opened to visitors in 1992 and the restoration work continued for many years. No secret now, the site boasts all that you might expect from a healthy estate: productive gardens, pleasure gardens, flower gardens, farm, woodland, and a jungle (of course).

Today we followed the Woodland Walk past small play area and the slumbering Mud Maid then on to the Jungle to try out the new rope bridge. There is a boardwalk down into the Jungle so some areas are accessible by pushchair although not all.

Youngest was not on top form today so we took a quick stroll back through the walled gardens. There are beautiful spots to linger here if you have the time.

There is a walk from Heligan to Mevagissey if you want to combine the two. Also, (shameless plug) I can recommend a fantastic B and B in Mevagissey, run by my parents.

What you need to know

Parking:  Yes, at Heligan.
Toilets: Yes, at the entrance and in the garden by the Stewards House.
Cafe: Yes, in the entrance and the Stewards House in the garden.
Pushchair suitable? Mostly.
Time: As long as you like. 2 hours or more.

Eldest’s photo today, daffodils and shadows.

‘Come and have tea in my logpile house…’

 ***********************************************************************

Heligan at Easter.

Here are a few photos from our recent visit when the cousins were in Cornwall. I must mention the Easter Egg Hunt – we’ve done a few this year and this was the most enjoyable for adults and kids alike. Very well organised and simple.