Lost Gardens of Heligan
Heligan is first mentioned in the 12th century, as part of an estate owned by the Arundell family, but at some point between then and the 18th century the entire estate was sold over to the Tremayne family. It was Henry Hawkins Tremayne, squire from 1766-1829, who designed the shape of the gardens as we know them today. Subsequent generations of the family continued to develop a unique array of gardens within a garden and built up an extensive plant collection, including rare samples of exotic palms and tree ferns in the section designated as Jungle. The gardens suffered from long-term and extensive neglect in the early 20th century during and after the 1914-18 World War, as a result of all the young experienced gardening staff enlisting in the army and sadly never returning. For decades the estate lay buried and forgotten under unchecked growth of ivy, bramble, laurels and fallen timber, the Jungle in particular fell into a ruinous state.
A massive restoration project began in 1991, undergrowth, brambles and more than 1500 tonnes of timber being cleared in the first four months of the recovery programme. The BBC took an active interest in this Herculean operation, following progress in an absorbing documentary that focused national awareness on the Cornish phoenix arising from the ashes. An extensive survey of the 80-acre site was undertaken and specialist tree, shrub and plant experts were drafted in to compile a comprehensive list for species identification. It is largely due to the tireless efforts of Tim Smit that the gardens are being revealed and restored in the manner of the great 19th century horticulturists. Visiting the gardens it is well worth taking the time to stop and read the information supplied on the restoration process of each individual garden.
Heligan was opened to the public in April 1992, although much of the restoration process was still ongoing. The pleasure grounds, also called the northern gardens, are a mix of small gardens and structures, home to many rare and beautiful shrubs and plants, some with fascinating names such as a cut-leaf hornbeam and the headache tree. The productive gardens comprise a vegetable garden and four Victorian walled gardens; they are unique and claim to have the country's only remaining manure-heated pineapple pits! More than 300 varieties of fruit and vegetables are now being grown here again, including glasshouses full of citrus, vine and peach species. Highlights among the other gardens include the fern ravine, an Italian garden, a sundial garden and the recently restored northern summerhouse complete with enclosed garden and lily pond.
The round trip encompassing Lost Valley and Jungle is a two mile treck over broken and very steep ground - stout footwear is advised if attempting the latter two. The Jungle comprises a steep-sided verdant valley wherein are four inter-connecting ponds and offers the largest collection of tree ferns in Europe. Hardy visitors will confront sub-tropical plants, palms, bamboo and fascinating specimen trees at every twist and turn. In the Lost Valley, charcoal burning and coppicing have again been resumed, and the burners employed are often to be seen in action.