The Lugger Hotel
Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[9.4 miles]
Boutique style and fabulous seafood in a 17th-century smugglers’ inn on the Roseland Peninsula.
Official star rating:
Bucket list experience:
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Last updated: 26 April, 2023
Original created by the Tremayne family in the mid-19th century, these once glorious gardens fell into neglect during the First World War. 70 years later, in 1990, they were ‘rediscovered’ and intelligently restored to their original state.
This ‘garden’ now sustainably manages a patchwork of traditional Cornish habitats – including ancient woodland, hay meadows, grazed pasture, and wetlands – to preserve Cornish wildlife and maximise its biodiversity.
Employing the traditional techniques of cultivation, they offer a unique and fascinating insight into traditional gardening and Victorian life on the Heligan Estate. Highlights include a sub-tropical jungle of exotic specimens and unrivalled collections of camellias and rhododendrons.
Don’t miss
Take the boardwalk through the subtropical garden called ‘The Jungle’ – planted in a valley to create a special warm microclimate. It features giant rhubarb, banana plantations, avenues of palms, and tunnels of giant bamboo. Specimens were brought here by Victorian plant collectors.
The Vegetable Garden, walled Flower Garden, and Melon Yard once supplied the Tremnayne family and the estate with all their necessary produce. Over 200 varieties of fruit, vegetable, salad and herb are cultivated using traditional growing methods.
The gardens are famous for their collection of over 70 veteran camellias, and 350 ancient rhododendrons, some planted back in 1850. Ask on admission for a laminated map with plant lists to identify them.
Especially for the under 12s
There’s plenty to amuse younger kids here, including a Burmese rope bridge, a playground, and farm animals.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Price from: £19
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
There is free car parking, or head to St Austell train station; it’s a short walk from there. Check the website for seasonal events.
When to do it
It’s open all year round, seven days a week.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Fowey Hall Hotel
Fowey, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[13.3 miles]
Lovely country house family hotel, located in the beautiful town of Fowey, with five acres of landscaped gardens and woodlands. Close to the Eden Project.
Official star rating:
Fowey Harbour Hotel
Fowey, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[13.4 miles]
Luxury boutique hotel with heart-stopping views of the Fowey estuary, set in a beautiful restored Victorian building. Close to the Eden Project.
Official star rating:
The Idle Rocks
St Mawes, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[20.1 miles]
A delightful, 18-room Edwardian Inn in the heart of chic St Mawes, with superb food served on the waterfront terrace.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Cornwall
Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)
A region of craggy cliffs, sheltered creeks, glorious sandy beaches and quintessential villages – rich in local life, pagan legend and delicious, locally-made food and drink.
Website >
Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Eden Project
St. Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[9.6 miles]
Unique and fascinating ‘biome’ botanical gardens that explore the interaction between humans and plants.
Best for ages: 4+ | £33
Bodmin & Wenford Steam Railway
Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[21.2 miles]
Explore the beautiful landscapes Bodmin Moor in vintage style on this beautifully-restored heritage railway – a picturesque 13-mile round trip through rolling Cornish countryside.
Best for ages: 4+ | £20 | 2 hours
Camel Valley Vineyard
Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[21.3 miles]
One of England’s best vineyards, set in beautiful Cornwall countryside, producing award-winning sparkling wines.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Bodmin Jail [ghost hunting]
Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[21.9 miles]
Former 18th-century prison offering a fascinating glimpse into Victorian and Georgian crime and punishment. Excellent heritage tours and night time ghost hunts.
Best for ages: 7+ | £19
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Poldark’s Charlestown
Charlestown, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[6.5 miles]
Picturesque and historic waterfront town that was the setting for Poldark – now a place of pilgrimage for fans of the hit BBC series.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
Experience
St Austell Brewery
St Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[6.5 miles]
This family-owned brewery, founded in 1851, produces a range of award-winning beers and ales using local ingredients, such as Cornish barley and spring water. They offer guided tours of the brewery, teaching you about the brewing process, ending with tastings. The brewery also runs a variety of events throughout the year, including beer festivals and live music.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
The Clay Trails [cycling & walking]
St Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[8 miles]
A lovely 12-mile trail (with shorter subsections) from Truro to Bodmin that explores a unique area of Cornwall previously home to Cornwall’s China industry, and passes many top sights.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free | Up to 4 hours
Experience
Tea plantation on the Tregothnan Estate
Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[14.4 miles]
Tea lovers should head to this, the only tea plantation in the UK. It produces a range of fine teas, grown using sustainable and organic methods, from classic black tea to innovative blends like Manuka and Cornish Earl Grey. You can book in for tours of the plantation and learn about the history of tea in the UK, before a tasting in the on-site tea bar.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Website >
Overview >