The Idle Rocks
St Mawes, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[6.6 miles]
A delightful, 18-room Edwardian Inn in the heart of chic St Mawes, with superb food served on the waterfront terrace.
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This delightful 40-acre National Trust garden is best known for its year-round display of colourful blooms – notably camellias, rhododendrons, photinia and azaleas – and rare plants and shrubs, in shelterbelts that were created 200 years ago.
The site takes in a water tower, four summerhouses, lawns, beds, and an additional 375 acres of parkland and woodland with extensive walking trails. Set on a peninsula, there are lovely views over the estuary and Falmouth throughout – which may be enjoyed from the tea room in the manor house.
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Destination Guide >As it’s right on the River Fal, many visitors arrive by boat. Take a ferry from Truro, Falmouth or St Mawes – the garden has its own landing stages and the journey is lovely. If you’re driving, car parking is available, and free to National Trust members. The nearest station is Truro; it’s about 4 miles, so take a taxi or the ferry from there.
It’s possible to stay in the historic Water Tower, located within the gardens and converted into a holiday cottage, with spiral staircases and a single circular room on each of the four floors.
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
St Mawes, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[6.6 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:
St Mawes, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[6.6 miles]
Elegant, waterfront family hotel offering quiet sophistication in the yacht-filled harbour town of St Mawes. A Cornish, if not world, classic.
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Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[8.2 miles]
A beautifully decorated country house in buzzing Falmouth, with an outstanding restaurant and excellent spa and wellness facilities. Children 12 and over welcome.
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Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[9.9 miles]
Boutique style and fabulous seafood in a 17th-century smugglers’ inn on the Roseland Peninsula.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
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.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[7.3 miles]
Four-day foodie extravaganza, with oyster dredging, celebrity-chef masterclasses, live music and overflowing (sea)food stalls.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Redruth, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[16 miles]
A scenic, wildlife-filled landscape, rich in Cornish heritage, offering a network of 60km superb walking and cycling trails. It’s also the place to learn all about Cornwall’s mining history.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[3.3 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
Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[5.3 miles]
A buzzing weekly farmers’ market held every Wednesday and Sunday on Lemon Quay. Here you’ll find everything from fermented foods to raw chocolate, chilli jam to craft beer. A great opportunity to sample local Cornish produce, and snack on Cornish ‘street food’.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 4 hours
Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[7.4 miles]
This permanent collection contains over 200 works by major British artists including Sir Frank Brangwyn, Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Sir Alfred Munnings, Henry Scott Tuke and Dame Laura Knight. The Gallery also puts on a varied temporary exhibitions programme
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK)[7.5 miles]
Cornwall’s history, from smuggling to food production to exporting minerals, has always been closely tied to the sea. This family-friendly museum at Falmouth aims to preserve and showcase that rich heritage, featuring interactive displays and educational events.
Best for ages: 4+ | £17