The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
In the hills overlooking Mevagissey in Cornwall is an enchanted garden featuring a sunken lane, a jungle-filled valley, woodlands, gardens, rare plants, and rare farm animals. The Lost Gardens of Heligan were originally developed by the Tremayne family from the mid-18th century to the early 20th century. The gardens were neglected after World War I but brought back to life in the 1990s. Words can never fully describe the gardens. I only hope my photographs convey some of their magic.
From the formal gardens near the entrance, I took a sunken lane down, down, down to two wild lakes.
I then climbed back up again via The Jungle. This narrow valley is significantly warmer than the rest of the garden and is home to New Zealand tree ferns, bamboo, palms, banana trees, and giant rhubarb.
The bare skeletons of trees in the woodlands created odd, twisted sculptures. But in amongst them were some real sculptures – a ghostly grey lady, a mudlady, and a giant’s head.
A winter visit suited me perfectly as the gardens were relatively quiet apart from locals walking their dogs or enjoying a meal in the restaurant. There was one very lively school group enjoying the Burmese Rope Walk. My lunch was delicious and made from local, seasonal ingredients
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