Summer Gardens in Cornwall: Four Favourite Places
Cornwall may be renowned for its spring gardens, but for summer colour I think we still shine brightly. For truly stunning displays of flower and foliage check out these few favourite places...
Lamorran Gardens, St Mawes
Lamorran is a garden that feels like a holiday. Italian inspired with epic views of the coast beyond, you will find this little gem near St Mawes on the Roseland.
Visiting Lamorran: With its Italianate terraces, subtropical planting and sea views, this is a lovely summer outing. Opening is seasonal, so check the latest visiting days and access information before setting off.
Cotehele House and Gardens, near Saltash
Cotehele House and Gardens is actually one of my favourites in Cornwall, down Plymouth way. A lovely one to visit in winter time as well, as they display dried flowers in a giant garland in the great hall. In the summer time there is still plenty to interest, with tranquil walks down to the river (and a cool manor house to explore, a bonus in the heat!)
Visiting Cotehele: The summer borders and cut-flower garden are well worth exploring, alongside the orchards and paths towards Cotehele Quay. Flowers grown here are dried for the celebrated winter garland. The house and garden can have different opening arrangements, so check the National Trust visitor information before travelling.
Glendurgan Garden, near Falmouth
Glendurgan may be famed for its wiggly maze but the gardens near Falmouth are also a joy for their summer florals. Splashes of colour abound with hydrangeas and foxgloves dappled here and there, plus there is a beach at the bottom - what's not to like!
Visiting Glendurgan: The garden follows a sheltered valley towards the little hamlet of Durgan and its beach on the Helford River. There are slopes and steps, so it is worth allowing time for the walk back uphill. Check opening days and access details with the National Trust.
Hidden Valley Gardens, near Par
Hidden Valley was a pleasant surprise for me and my dad, a little garden near St Austell that had been thoughtfully designed. A happy haven away from the crowded beaches on a summer's day.
Visitor update (November 2026): Hidden Valley Gardens is reported to have closed to visitors. This section and its photographs have been kept as a record of the garden, rather than as a current recommendation for a day out.
Heading out to peruse one of Cornwall's stunning gardens was a happy pastime of my late dad. He'd always be collecting ideas for when he got home, ready to transform our little corner of Cornwall. There is just so much scope when gardening down here, the warm weather has meant we can grow olives, lemons, and palm trees! On the North Coast where the wind blows strong different planting is needed, grasses work wonderfully.
If visiting gardens like these makes you look at your own patch with fresh eyes, there's plenty of local expertise to draw on. The Cornish Garden Company works across North Cornwall, while Duchy Gardens also helps homeowners around Padstow and the surrounding area. Whether you're rethinking a whole garden or simply trying to keep on top of what's already growing, a little expert help can make all the difference.
I think that is one of the things I love most about living in Cornwall, the lushness of the gardens. From the tropical biomes of The Eden Project, to the giant foliage brought back by intrepid explorers at Trebah or Heligan, to the traditional cottage gardens opened to the public, enjoyed alongside a scone and a glass of cool bubbling elderflower. Long may summer last!
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