Discover more at Glendurgan Garden
Find out when Glendurgan Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Three valleys join into one at Glendurgan and within this garden, a beautiful and intriguing blend of exotic and native plants thrive. There are impressive plants and natural beauty to be discovered, including a little-known orchard and the re-creation of a small 19th-century school room. At the heart of the garden is the historic maze, just waiting to be tackled before you head down to Durgan beach for an ice cream.
Glendurgan Garden is now closed for winter. We look forward to welcoming you back 15 February 2025.
Just past the visitor welcome building, some mixed planting, recently replanted by the garden team, provides a splash of colour no matter the season.
The path leads to the Camellia Walk, where early varieties start flowering in late autumn, but early spring is the time to see them at their best.
While following the upper path it's possible for you to catch a glimpse of the River Helford in the distance. Here, there are trees with religious connotations, such as the Glastonbury thorn (Crataegus 'Praecox') and Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum).
Sitting on the South end of Holy Bank is a stunning magnolia, Magnolia x veitchii 'Peter Veitch', which is surrounded by carpets of virbant wildlfowers in Spring.
Look out for daffodils and primroses at the start of the year, which give way to bluebells, wild garlic, violets, gladioli, aquilegias and wild orchids as spring and early summer arrive.
The olive grove and apple orchard are tucked away en route to the school room. The Fox family produced a bounty of fruits, and the apple orchard is a gesture towards the historic fruit production.
Today, there are local Cornish varieties of apples plus figs, pecans and kiwis. Mown grass paths allow you to wander among the apple trees.
Tucked away in the orchard is our Apple Shed, a space to unwind and reconnect with nature. Design a bug hotel, write a poem, learn about apple trees or try on bee-keeping outfits. Listen to the bees buzzing while you enjoy a picnic in the shade amongst the trees.
Sitting at the top of one of Glendurgan’s three valleys, reached via the path through the olive grove, is the old school room. The small, thatched building was re-created by the Fox family, the garden team and local schoolchildren in 2002, but four of the windows are from the original building of 1829.
On damp days the tiny building provides shelter with a fine view down Birch's orchard.
Not far from the school room is the Giant’s Stride erected in 1913.
The idea is that, by grabbing the handles of the rotating ropes and running around the pole, the more airborne you become.
The inspiration for developing the lower valley came from decades of travel by members of the Fox family and gardeners at Glendurgan; and it now reflects the character of distant countries such as Bhutan and New Zealand.
The plants that continue to thrive here, including giant rhubarb and impressive bamboo, do so due to the similar temperate climate experienced in their origin country.
There are also tree ferns with their fibrous trunks and large-leafed banana plants.
This area of Cornwall is so damp that moss and native ferns grow easily on the trunks of more mature trees. The garden team has added exotic epiphytic plants to various trunks and branches.
Epiphytic plants don’t need soil to grow, they take moisture and nutrients from rain and the air.
At the heart of the garden is Glendurgan’s ancient cherry laurel maze. Planted on one side of the valley, this living puzzle has been entertaining visitors who have been getting lost along its winding paths for nearly 200 years.
Some people, however, prefer sitting opposite and watching others complete the puzzle.
The cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is vigorous enough to withstand regular trimming and footsteps around its roots. Palm trees mark the four corners of the puzzle and a thatched summerhouse sits in the middle.
The cherry orchard is the perfect spot for a break and to take in the surroundings. As well as handkerchief trees, ornamental cherry trees and varieties of magnolia, the main highlights are the snowdrops and Lent lilies in February and March followed by carpets of bluebells in April and May.
Mown grass paths are ideal for wandering along during summer and the benches are a place from which to spot butterflies and dragonflies.
Glendurgan's tree collection including mature conifers, magnolias and dogwoods, but the most impressive is the Tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera.
At almost 190 years old, the tulip tree proudly sits towards the top of the valley garden, providing a gorgeous display.
In late June, its cup-like flowers appear in hues of lime green and orange, while as autumn approaches the giant green leaves take on bright gold tones.
If you prefer a woodland walk, take a stroll up through the trees to the maze viewing platform. Enjoy watching visitors tackle the maze from above.
Heading down the valley, there will be opportunities to catch a glimpse of the sparkling waters of the River Helford through the trees.
Find out when Glendurgan Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Family fun has been at the centre of Glendurgan since the 1820s when it was created by the Fox family, who developed a lavish garden and a mighty hedge maze for their 12 children to explore.
Find out about the conservation work the garden team at Glendurgan are carrying out to protect and preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Glendurgan Garden, from getting lost in the maze to sketching in the orchard.
If you’re planning a group visit to Glendurgan Garden, here’s everything you need to know to organise your visit.
After exploring the garden, take a well-earned break at the Glendurgan Tea-House, tuck into an ice cream at the Durgan fish cellar, or find a good book at the second-hand bookshops.
Discover our gardeners’ top tips so you can make the most of your garden, plot or window box.
Cornwall is not only home to dramatic coastline and countryside, but also a number of beautiful and historic gardens and parks. Discover colour and interest at hidden gems across Cornwall with your family.