Heligan - The Lost Gardens

Cornwall Trip - Day 6

Glorious sunny morning so pack some lunch and set off for the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Decide to walk there along the cycle track and then the footpath via Heligan Mill. It is about two and a half miles and takes 40 minutes. It is a bit muddy in places, and quite steep after the mill, but not too bad.

The Jungle

Got in for free using my Kew Gardens card, and spent about three and a half hours there. It is all very well maintained, and fascinating even at this time of year. The Jungle was pretty impressive, particularly the banana plants and the flowering ginger lilies - about the only plants flowering other than the hydrangers. Some of the huge lush foliage is bizzarely reminiscient of the earl 18th century etchings by Carl Wilhelm Kolbe that we saw at the British Museum earlier in the month. I had quite liked these, but had dismissed them as improbable (see blog entry Monday 7 November: A (mostly) British Birthday).




Charcoal sculpture "Growth & Decay"

I rather liked the charcoal sculpture "Growth & Decay" by James Eddy, which is down in the Lost Valley. Made from charcoal created on-site from wood from the estate, and sited next to an old tree stump, it is meant to represent light and earth, the cycle of growth, decay, and regrowth, and the role of fire in nature. Although it was only installed last month, it is apt to see that bright green new shoots and leaves are already appearing around the dark glossy black base.

Pumpkins in the Melon Yard

I was also impressed by the spectacular display of pumpkins in the Melon Yard. The only downside to the visit was the half-rotted seaweed that they were spreading on the flower beds, which smelt disgusting.

Since the weather was still good I decided to walk back to Mevagissey by the same route, stopping off at the bakery for some bread and the Harbour Tavern for a pint of Betty Stogs.

Back at the cottage, I settled down for another cosy night-in in front of the fire (which took ages to get started).

More photos: Heligan - The Lost Gardens

Walk: Mevagissey to Heligan - 2.5 miles each way (5 miles total)


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