| The Lost Gardens of Heligan - St Austell |
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Recently
voted "The Nation's Favourite Garden" by BBC
Gardeners' World viewers, the award-winning restoration
of Heligan's productive gardens is only one of many
features which combine to create a destination with
a breadth of interest around the year. In excess of
200 acres are open to the public, including a magnificent
complex of walled gardens, and 22 acres of subtropical
'jungle' valley.
Beyond the gardens, visitors
are encouraged to explore woodland, lakeside and farm
walks through beautiful Cornish countryside, where sustainable
management practices promote habitat conservation, and
a pioneering new wildlife project offers visitors a
close-up view of wildlife native to the estate. <visit
website> |
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| Pencarrow House - Bodmin |
Pencarrow
estate has been the home of the Molesworth family and
their descendants sice Elizabethan times. A guided tour
around the 50 room Georgian mansion does much more than
display a superb collection of antique furniture, paintings
and porcelain; it makes the family's history come alive
whilst having that warmth which reminds you it is still
the privately owned and lived in home of the Molesworth-St
Aubyn family.
Pencarrow is approached by a magnificent mile-long carriage
drive. Around the Palladian mansion are formal gardens,
a large Victorian rock garden and 50 acres of parkland,
lake and woodland with more than 700 varieties of rhododendrons
and many camellias, easily accessible along well-maintained
footpaths. There are lovely Tea Rooms, and a Wendy House
with plenty of toys...<visit
website>
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| Lanhydrock - Bodmin
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Magnificent
late Victorian country house with extensive servants’
quarters, gardens and wooded estate One
of the most fascinating and complete late 19th-century houses
in England, Lanhydrock is full of period atmosphere. Although
the gatehouse and north wing (with magnificent 32yd-long gallery
with plaster ceiling) survive from the 17th century, the rest
of the house was rebuilt following a disastrous fire in 1881.
The new house featured the latest in contemporary living,
including central heating. The garden has a stunning collection
of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias, and offers fine
colours right through into autumn. All this is set in a glorious
estate of 364ha (900 acres) of woods and parkland running
down to the River Fowey, with an extensive network of footpaths.
<visit
website> |
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| Trerice - Newquay |
| Elizabethan
manor house with fine interiors and delightful garden
Set in a beautiful secluded spot, the
house contains fine fireplaces, plaster ceilings, oak
and walnut furniture, interesting clocks, needlework
and Stuart portraits. The highlight of the interior
is the magnificent Great Chamber with its splendid barrel
ceiling. The garden has some unusual plants and an orchard
with old varieties of fruit trees. In the hayloft behind
the Great Barn is an exhibition on the history of the
lawnmower. Visitors are welcome to play ‘Kayles’
(Cornish skittles) on the parade ground. <visit
website>
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| Tintagel Castle
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Tintagel
Castle stands on the wild and rugged north coast of Cornwall,
suffering much erosion over the centuries. The site is split
into two distinct segments: the landward section containing
the remains of the upper and lower wards that stand rather
precariously on the edge of a crumbling precipice; and the
inner ward that lies on the narrow ridge linking the island
to the mainland.
It is not known for certain who built the medieval
castle but evidence suggests it was Richard, Earl of Cornwall
(brother to Henry III), as he acquired the site c1234, which
seems to coincide with the date of the current remains.
The castle was not inhabited
for very long, as documented evidence records that the castle
was in poor repair during the 14th century...<visit
website>
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| The Eden Project - Bodelva |
| The Eden
site is bigger than it looks. There’s a lot of
walking if you want to see it all so please bear in
mind that a rewarding visit can also be a tiring one.
A land train runs between the main site and Visitor
Centre to save you the steepest climb, but you will
still face some slopes within the Biomes. Manual wheelchairs
are available on a first come first served basis.
Remember: Tropical plants like it
hot and the Humid Tropics Biome can reach 28oC (80oF).
Some cloakroom space is available in the Biome link.
There is an exit near the Malaysian House (H.03) if
you are finding it uncomfortable and a cool room further
up in tropical South America (H.05) for emergencies.
The Biomes let through UV light so you can get sunburnt
– remember suncream and hats on sunny days. <visit
website>
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