Cotehele’s Record-Breaking Flower Garland

It really is a sight to behold, and a colourful reminder of a wonderful summer: the Cotehele flower garland. When everything feels a little gloomy, with shorter evenings, endless rain and a rather relentless wind, this Tudor National Trust house brings a glorious burst of sunshine into winter with its annual display of dried flowers.

A record-breaking garland

The tradition dates back to 1956. In 2025, the garden team at Cotehele grew, picked, stripped, dried and prepared a record-breaking 38,000 flowers on the estate. The finished garland stretched 60 feet, or around 18 metres, through the Great Hall.

Every flower was prepared by hand. The whole process took almost a year, from sowing the first seeds to hanging the finished garland, with assembly taking around 10 days. It is simply stunning.

Exploring Cotehele in winter

While parts of the house close over winter so essential conservation work can take place, the estate is still beautiful to explore. It is especially lovely when the grass is crisp underfoot and the afternoon sun turns golden down at Cotehele Quay.

And after a chilly wander, a hot chocolate piled high with marshmallows seems only sensible.

Perched high above the River Tamar, Cotehele was the ancestral home of the Edgcumbe family. Inside, ancient tapestries, polished armour and dark oak furniture make the history feel wonderfully tangible. Although less of the house is open in winter, it remains one of my favourite destinations and a lovely way to get into the seasonal spirit.

For another seasonal visit, Cotehele also features in our guide to favourite spring gardens in Cornwall.

Published December 2025. The flower numbers in this article relate to the record-breaking 2025 garland. Display dates and opening arrangements change each year, so check the National Trust website before visiting.