Lost Gardens of Heligan by Bike: Cycling from Pentewan
I love the Lost Gardens of Heligan! I keep meaning to go back, because it has been far too long.
I would normally arrive by car, but there is another way that sounds much more fun: cycling there from Pentewan. Heligan is connected to the Coast & Clay Cycle Trail, part of National Cycle Network Route 3, and you can hire a bike in the village before heading up to the gardens.
What really caught my eye was the electric bikes. Cornwall is not famous for being flat, and the thought of a little assistance on the climb makes them rather tempting!
Cycling from Pentewan to Heligan
Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire sits in the coastal village of Pentewan, between St Austell and Mevagissey. From there, the route to Heligan is off-road, so you can leave much of Cornwall's traffic behind and enjoy the ride.
The hire centre has bikes for adults and children as well as electric bikes, tandems and family options. There is also a little riverside picnic area, which feels like a rather civilised place to start or finish a cycle ride.
If you'd like to explore more of the area by bike, have a look at our guide to cycle hire in Pentewan Valley. From the village you can also head towards St Austell, the Clay Trails, Mevagissey, Charlestown and further afield.
For this ride though, Heligan is the prize at the end.
What awaits you at Heligan
Once you arrive, there are more than 200 acres to explore. Heligan has such a wonderful mixture of places that it never feels like just one garden.
The restored Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Grounds have a completely different character from the wilder parts of the estate. There are orchards, woodland walks, ponds, kitchen gardens and all sorts of little corners where you can happily lose track of time.
The story behind the place makes it even more special. The gardens were rediscovered after decades of neglect and their restoration became so celebrated that The Times described it as the 'garden restoration of the century'.
And of course there are Heligan's much-loved woodland sculptures. The Mud Maid is probably the most famous, tucked into the landscape as though she has always been there.
Into the Jungle
Then you can disappear into the Jungle, where raised boardwalks wind through bamboo, tree ferns, palms and enormous leaves. It is probably the part of Heligan that feels furthest removed from Cornwall – although the hills will soon remind your legs exactly where you are!
I always think the variety is what makes Heligan so much fun. You can move from formal Victorian gardens to something that feels almost tropical within the same visit.
Make a day of it
Heligan recommends allowing at least a few hours to explore, so this is definitely more of a day out than a quick cycle there and back. There is a dedicated cycle park near the entrance too, so arriving by bike is very much encouraged.
And after all that pedalling and walking, refreshments are important. Heligan has food and drink available on site, including cakes from its own bakery. Anyone who knows me will realise that this is not an insignificant detail.
Before setting off, check the latest opening information on both the Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire website and the Lost Gardens of Heligan website, particularly if you are hiring a bike at a weekend or outside the main holiday season.
I still think cycling is a lovely way to arrive at Heligan. You get the ride through the Cornish countryside, a whole garden to explore when you get there and the satisfaction of having left the car behind.
Although I have to admit, I am still pretty keen on one of those electric bikes...
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