Best Gardens to Visit in Cornwall – Sub-Tropical & Family Days Out

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Find Gardens to visit in Cornwall near to you!

Cornwall has an amazing mix of gardens and many of them benefit from a sub-tropical climate unique to the county.

This means you get many plants, trees and shrubs which don’t survive elsewhere in the UK actually thriving.

I would really recommend the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden in St Ives. Small but very inspirational!

A slightly bigger sculpture garden is the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, which was home once to the monks of St Michaels Mount.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a must see – it really is brilliant! And the walk over to St Michaels Mount is something else!

Don’t forget to get a Cornish cream tea where you can !

Due to the landscape its always worth checking the accessibility before you travel to a garden.

Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, St Ives, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
The gardens are great, lots of sculptures still in position where she placed them. And you get to see her studio ‘as was’. Highly recommended!

It’s a magical place and you can see why she fell in love with it. More Details here

Morrab Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
Morrab Gardens are small but superb sub tropical garden with many interesting plants from around the world.

A perfect place to relax. Dog friendly. More Details here

The Japanese Garden, St. Mawgan, Cornwall

Google Review Rating – 4.5
The Japanese Garden is a small haven of authentically designed Japanese styling. From Zen Gardens to Koi Pond & a Bamboo Grove. Small Nursery & Shop! More Details here

Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.8/5 Stars
Trebah Garden is a 26 acre, and in their own words, a ‘sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop.’ For Children there is Tarzans Camp for the over 5’s and Fort Stuart for the under 5’s!

Not only that they also have their own beach for you to explore! And a beach cafe! More Details here

Godolphin Garden, Helston, Cornwall

Google Review Rating – 4.4
The Godolphin Garden is set in a 500 acre UNESCO estate with an Orchard, Dry Ponds, Paddock, Barefoot Trail, Riverside Walks, Hall, Cafe & is very dog friendly. More Details here

Tresco Abbey Garden, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
Tresco Abbey Garden is set in the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey with over 2,000 exotic species to see. Also sculptures, wildlife like Red Squirrels. Cafe & Shop & dogs welcome. More Details here

Trewidden Garden, Penzance, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.6 /5 Stars
Trewidden Garden is a 15 acre plot packed with giant ferns, champion trees, 300 Magnolias and Camellias & rare plants. Tea Shop, Plant Shop & Dog Friendly! More Details here

Cotehele Gardens, near Saltash, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
Cotehele Gardens has lots to offer with gardens, estate trails, amazing views, Cafe, Industrial ruins, picnics, shops, play areas & is dog friendly. More Details here

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The Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall

Google Visitor Review Score 4.3/5 Stars
The world famous Eden Project is dominated by the two biodomes but there are other gardens, children’s play areas, plenty of restaurants & dogs allowed in some places. More Details here

St Michaels Mount Garden, Marazion, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
Whether you take the boat or walk over the causeway you will get great views of the stunning terrace gardens. Shops, cafe, mostly dog friendly. More Details here

Trewithin Gardens, Truro, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.4 /5 Stars
Trewithin Garden is a 30 acre sub-tropical paradise with so many features to enjoy from a Walled Garden, Magnolia Fountain, Champion Trees & Sculpture.

Tea Room, Plant Shop & Dog Friendly! More Details here

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Saint Austell, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.6 /5 Stars
Brilliant, interesting, unique and totally inspiring – according to me! Just go!

There’s loads for kids to do as well from The Jungle, Play Meadow, Bug Garden, Jumping Pillow, Giant’s Head Adventure Play and the farm animals. As I said, plenty to do. More Details here

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Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
With an all year round subtropical microclimate the gardens allow exotic plants to thrive all year round. No spring or winter nonsense here!

There are around 50 sculptures to look out for on your walk. Allow at least 90 minutes to cover most bases. More Details here

Trengwainton Garden, Penzance, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.6 /5 Stars
Loads to see at these Jurassic style gardens from walled gardens, ponds, orchards, walks & trails. Cafe, shop, bookstore & dog friendly!

And special events including Christmas Lights! More Details here

Bonython Estate Gardens, Helston, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
Bonython Estate Gardens are located on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall and offer some fantastic woodland walks, walled gardens, lakes and stunning shrubs!

There are about 20 acres for you to explore and it will take about 2 hours. Dogs on leads welcome!!More Details here

Pencarrow House & Gardens, Bodmin, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.5 /5 Stars
Family friendly and kids go for free! Gift & plant shop btw!

Look out for bluebells, wild garlic (love the smell!), an Iron Age hill fort, a sunken Italian Garden with a fountain, grotto, ice house and a palm house – crikey! More Details here

Glendurgan Garden, Mawnan Smith, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
Super beach side garden with sub tropical plants. Ideal for the family with a maze, rope swing & activities.

Dog friendly, Tea Room & Bookshop! More Details here

Antony Woodland Gardens,Torpoint, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.6 /5 Stars
Antony Woodland Gardens is set in 60 acres & says it is ‘one of the most beautiful, and least-known, gardens in Cornwall.’ Has a woodland cafe. Dogs ok in woodland areas.

Ideal for a family day out with a picnic and letting the kids explore the woodlands. More Details here

Trerice Garden, near Newquay, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.6 /5 Stars
A National Trust property Trerice is a small garden but is packed full of interest from the Knot Garden, Summerhouse, Potager & Elizabethan House.

Shop, Cafe & Dog friendly & events such as Falconry. More Details here

Lamorran House Gardens, Truro, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.8 /5 Stars
Close to St Mawes the garden is split into various compartments such as the woodland area, a water garden in Japanese style, a small bridge on which to lean and look out over the bay exhibiting a distinctly Venetian influence.

There is also a rose garden, rock garden and a walled garden and a notable collection of palms and tree ferns. More Details here

Mount Edgcumbe Gardens, Torpoint, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.7 /5 Stars
Set in 7 acres this dog friendly garden is a series of smaller gardens.
Lots to do for the family with Alpaca Trekking, a miniature railway, restaurants & more. More Details here

Pinetum Gardens, St Austell, Cornwall

Google Visitor Reviews 4.4 /5 Stars
Pinetum Gardens is a 30 acre estate with individual gardens like Japanese & Cornish Country Cottage, Winter Garden, Sunken Garden, Arboretum, Champion Trees, Lake, Cafe & is Dog Friendly! More Details here

Accommodation in Cornwall

If you are looking for somewhere to stay near a garden you are visiting then look here for your accommodation.

All information correct at the date of publication.

Gardens in Cornwall