Cotehele Flower Garland

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Cotehele House Flower garland

Winter gardens and houses in Cornwall

It really is a sight to behold, and a throwback to a wonderful summer, the Cotehele flower garland. With everything feeling a little glooming at times, shorter evenings, endless rain and the wind feeling rather relentless, this Tudor National Trust house brings a colourful array of sunshine through their annual garland of dried flowers.

It's a tradition that goes back to 1956, this year managed for the first time by head gardener Kay Lyle and her wonderful team. Being such a bumper year for flowers, the team believe they have used 38,000 of them to make the garland which hangs in the Tudor hall. 

Cotehele Flower Garland

It is simply stunning, 18 metres long and taking a whole year from seed to create and about 10 days to assemble.

Although the house is wrapped up for the winter (when most of the repair and conservation work is done) the estate is still beautiful to explore. Especially when the grass is crispy underfoot and the afternoon sun is at its most golden at the quay below. 

Hot chocolate in National Trust cafe

Winter days out in Cornwall

Perched high over the River Tamar this was the ancestral home of the Edgecumbe family. Inside you'll find ancient tapestries and polished armour, the history is tangible. Although less is open in the winter, it is still a favourite destination of mine, and a wonderful way to get into the seasonal spirit.   

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