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The Woodland Garden at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Lost Gardens of Heligan

In its own language: Lowarth Helygen

Restored 19th-century gardens with subtropical and formal plantings in Cornwall, England

Photo: Dirt Therapy, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are historic gardens near Mevagissey in Cornwall, England, known for their 19th-century Gardenesque style and diverse plantings. Once neglected after World War I, they were restored in the 1990s and now feature aged rhododendrons, camellias, a subtropical 'Jungle', productive kitchen gardens, and unique features like Europe's only pineapple pit.

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  • Features Europe's only working pineapple pit heated by manure
  • Home to the Mud Maid and Giant's Head plant sculptures
  • Restored after decades of neglect in the 1990s
  • Includes a subtropical 'Jungle' with tree ferns
  • Listed Grade II on the Register of Parks and Gardens

What is Lost Gardens of Heligan?

The Lost Gardens of Heligan cover a large area surrounding Heligan House in Cornwall. Visitors find a mix of formal flower and vegetable gardens, aged rhododendrons and camellias, lakes, and a subtropical section called 'The Jungle' filled with tree ferns. There are also unique features such as the Italian Garden, Europe's only pineapple pit heated by manure, and plant sculptures like the Mud Maid and the Giant's Head. The gardens are known for their varied design styles and wild, valley landscapes.

The history of Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Heligan estate was bought by the Tremayne family in the 16th century. The gardens as seen today were developed mainly from the mid-18th to early 20th centuries by four generations of the Tremayne family. After World War I, the gardens fell into neglect due to loss of staff and changing ownership. In the 1990s, a group led by John Willis and Tim Smit began restoring the gardens, bringing them back into public view and revitalizing the local area. The gardens are now listed as Grade II by Historic England.

What there is to see

The gardens are arranged in several sections. The northern part has the main ornamental and vegetable gardens, sloping gently down to Heligan House. To the west, south, and east, the land drops steeply into valleys with wilder plantings, including the Jungle and Lost Valley. Notable features include the Italian Garden, lakes fed by a historic ram pump, and the pineapple pit. The gardens are maintained by a dedicated team and are open to visitors.

Second pond in the Jungle at The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Second pond in the Jungle at The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Photo: James.heligan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Italian Garden at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. For more information see the Wikipedia article Lost Gardens of Heligan .
The Italian Garden at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. For more information see the Wikipedia article Lost Gardens of Heliga. Photo: Chris Wood ( User:chris_j_wood )., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Sundial Garden at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Traditional varieties of apple, planted in 1994 create a tunnel of blossom in early May. The apple trees are trained in espalier fashion. For more information see the Wi
The Sundial Garden at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Traditional varieties of apple, planted in 1994 create a tunnel of bl. Photo: Robin Lucas., CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cornish Red Rhododendron trees on Flora's Green at Heligan thought to have introduced pre-1920
Cornish Red Rhododendron trees on Flora's Green at Heligan thought to have introduced pre-1920. Photo: James.heligan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are open to the public as a visitor attraction. People come to walk through the various gardens, see rare and historic plants, and enjoy the landscape. The site also supports the local economy by providing employment. The gardens are featured in books and television programmes, and are a popular destination for garden lovers and tourists.

Parts and collections

Within Heligan, different areas show distinct styles. The Jungle is known for its subtropical plants and tree ferns. The Italian Garden reflects the influence of Jack Tremayne’s time in Italy. The gardens also include productive kitchen gardens, ornamental flower beds, and unique living sculptures. Each section offers a different experience and plant selection.

Why Lost Gardens of Heligan matters

Heligan is considered one of the most popular gardens in the UK and is noted for its restoration story. The gardens are an example of 19th-century Gardenesque design and are listed on the Register of Parks and Gardens. Their revival has been the subject of several television series and books, and they are seen as a symbol of heritage conservation and community renewal in Cornwall.

The flowers of Lost Gardens of Heligan

RhododendronA vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many coloursCamelliaEvergreen shrubs and trees with showy blooms, best known for tea and garden flowersCamellia reticulataTall pink-flowered camellia from Yunnan, grown for gardens and tea oilCommon rhododendronA dense evergreen shrub with violet-purple flowers from Europe and the CaucasusCamellia amplexicaulisA pink-flowered camellia tree once found in Vietnam’s forestsRhododendron aureumA low evergreen shrub with pale yellow spring flowers from northeastern AsiaHong Kong CamelliaA rare camellia tree from Hong Kong with red flowersRhododendron molleA yellow-flowered deciduous azalea from China and Japan

Questions people ask about Lost Gardens of Heligan

Where are the Lost Gardens of Heligan located?

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are near Mevagissey in Cornwall, England, surrounding Heligan House. They are about 6 miles from St Austell and sit above the fishing village of Mevagissey.

What can visitors see at Heligan?

Visitors can explore formal flower and vegetable gardens, aged rhododendrons and camellias, a subtropical Jungle with tree ferns, lakes, the Italian Garden, Europe's only pineapple pit, and unique plant sculptures like the Mud Maid and Giant's Head.

How did the gardens become 'lost'?

After World War I, the gardens were neglected due to the loss of staff and changes in ownership. They became overgrown and forgotten until a restoration began in the 1990s.

What is special about the pineapple pit?

Heligan has Europe's only remaining working pineapple pit, which uses rotting manure to create heat for growing pineapples in the British climate.

Are the gardens historically significant?

Yes, the Lost Gardens of Heligan are an example of 19th-century Gardenesque style and are listed as Grade II on the Register of Parks and Gardens for their historic importance.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lost Gardens of Heligan", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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