Trewidden Garden is a real gem of a garden located in Penzance, Cornwall. It is set on 15 acres of land, and is probably best known for its Spring blooms.
Some Useful Info
LOCATION MAP: Trewidden, Penzance TR20 8TT
Getting There By Car: it takes about 20 minutes to drive to Trewidden from St Ives.
Getting There By Public Transport: you can get a bus from Penzance to Buryas Bridge Garage. There is a 10/15 min walk from the bus stop to the garden.
Parking: There is plenty of free parking for visitors.
Dog Friendly? Yes. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Tickets: Adults £8.50. Under 16s are free. There are other offers and discounts available. Click here for more info >>
You do not need a garden ticket to use the tea room.
Facilities: 15 acre Garden, Trail, Tea room, Gift Shop, Loos. They also do great plant sales.
You can also book to stay in the main house!
Opening Hours: Daily 11th February to the 24th September 2023. The Tea Room opens at 9:30 and the Garden is open from 10:30 to 5:30pm with last entrance at 4:30pm.
All About Trewidden Garden
Trewidden Garden is a botanical garden that has been around for over a century. The garden is set on 15 acres of land and features an extensive collection of plants, including camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, and exotic trees from all around the world. The gardens are particularly known for their stunning collection of camellias, with over 300 varieties.
Trewidden Garden History
Trewidden Garden has a rich and fascinating history that spans over a century. Here are some of the key moments in the garden's history:
- Trewidden House was built in 1830 by Edward Bolitho, a prominent figure in the mining industry in Cornwall. The house and its surrounding gardens were later purchased by the wealthy shipping magnate, Thomas Bolitho, in 1855.
- In 1859, Thomas Bolitho began to develop the gardens, which were initially designed by Edward Milner. Milner was a well-known landscape architect, and his designs included a large lake, winding paths, and a collection of exotic plants.
- Thomas Bolitho's son, William Bolitho, inherited the estate in 1897 and continued to develop the gardens, adding new features such as the walled garden, rock gardens, and a camellia house.
- The garden fell into a state of disrepair in the early 20th century, but was saved from redevelopment in the 1980s by John and Mary Williams. The Williams family set about restoring the garden to its former glory, replanting the camellia collection and adding new features such as sculptures and a tearoom.
- In 2013, the garden was sold to a new owner, Tim Light, who continues to manage and develop the garden today.
Today, the gardens are open to the public, and visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll among the stunning plants and flowers. There are also several events throughout the year, including plant sales and guided tours.
The Trewidden Trail
One of the highlights of the gardens is the Trewidden Trail, a circular path that takes visitors through the garden's most beautiful areas. Along the way, visitors can admire the stunning camellias, rhododendrons, and other exotic plants that make Trewidden Gardens so special.
Trewidden For Children
To make the visit even more enjoyable for children, Trewidden Garden offers a free activity pack that can be picked up from the garden entrance. The pack includes a range of fun and educational activities that will help children learn about the plants and wildlife in the garden. There are also benches and picnic tables where families can relax, have a snack, and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Another notable feature of Trewidden Garden is the walled garden, which has been restored to its former glory. The walled garden features a range of different plant species, including vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees. There's also a small pond and a greenhouse where visitors can see rare plants up close.
The Trewidden Plants
- The Camellia Collection: Trewidden Gardens has one of the largest collections of camellias in the UK, with over 300 varieties on display. The collection includes both traditional and rare camellia species, many of which were introduced to the UK from China and Japan.
- The Wilson 50 Kurume Azaleas: Trewidden is home to 46 of the 50 azaleas originally collected from Japan in 1919.
- The Magnolia Collection: The garden is home to a beautiful collection of magnolias, including Magnolia campbellii, which is one of the largest flowering trees in the world.
- The Tree Ferns: The garden has an impressive collection of tree ferns, including some of the largest specimens in the UK.
- Rhododendrons: Trewidden Gardens has a wide variety of rhododendrons, including many hybrid varieties bred by famous nurserymen such as Waterer and Williams.
- Bamboos: Trewidden Gardens has a diverse range of bamboo species, which are particularly beautiful and striking when viewed en masse.
Today, Trewidden Gardens is known for its stunning collection of camellias, as well as its rhododendrons, magnolias, and other exotic plants. The garden's history is still evident in the architecture and layout of the garden, which is a testament to the vision and dedication of the Bolitho family and subsequent owners and restorers.
