Lost Gardens of Heligan Castle

Address: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St Austell PL26 6EN, Cornwall, England

Website: https://www.heligan.com/

Hours: Daily 10am-5p.m. (seasonal variations; check website)

Admission: Adult admission around £18-22 (prices vary seasonally); concessions available

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are a restored set of large, historic gardens and estate grounds in Cornwall near Mevagissey, originally developed in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are notable for their extensive Victorian plantings and the large-scale restoration project that brought the site back into public use.

A subtropical ‘Jungle’ area, restored walled and kitchen gardens with glasshouses, formal Pleasure Grounds and sculptural features that have become signature attractions. The site combines horticultural displays with woodland walks and estate landscapes.

The gardens fell into decline after the First World War and were largely overgrown for much of the 20th century before a coordinated restoration in the 1990s revived the planting and structures. The restoration emphasised period horticulture and the surviving garden structures.

Heligan sits inland from the south Cornwall coast, a short drive from Mevagissey and other St Austell-area towns, and is managed as a public visitor attraction with parking and visitor facilities.

• Restoration: The gardens were rediscovered and substantially restored during the 1990s, reopening areas to the public as a major heritage and horticultural attraction.

What to See#

• The Jungle: A subtropical ‘Jungle’ area featuring densely planted shelterbelts and winding paths that support exotic plantings introduced to the estate in the 19th century.
• Walled and Kitchen Gardens: Walled and kitchen gardens restored to Victorian layouts, with glasshouses and productive beds that illustrate estate-era food production and horticulture.
• Sculptures: Sculptural features including large earth-formed figures that have become signature attractions within the restored landscape.

Heligan is near St Austell in Cornwall, reachable by car via the A390 and minor roads from St Austell (about 15-20 minutes). Regular buses run from St Austell and nearby towns in summer; the nearest rail station is St Austell.

• Buy tickets online for a timed entry to avoid the busiest hours, especially in summer.
• Allow at least two hours to wander the wilder parts of the gardens and to find the hidden sculptures and kitchen garden.
• Most visitors follow the main route; seek out the lost valley and the jungle garden for quieter, more surprising corners.