Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5JZ
Glendurgan Garden
Garden
Place photograph
8.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.1Three valleys lead through a garden of contrasting planting, from giant rhubarb in the lower valley to sun-loving plants on the upper slopes, with a laurel maze among its signature features.
Glendurgan earns its place for the way its three valleys make a garden visit feel like a changing landscape journey. The maze, striking plants and route down to Durgan and the Helford River give you more to explore than a single formal garden walk.
Atmospheric · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapMawnan Smith, near Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5JZ
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Allow 1–2 hours for the garden, its three valleys and the laurel maze. For a longer visit, follow the garden route down towards Durgan and the Helford River, checking current opening and access arrangements first.
Things to do
Explore the three valleys
Walk through the garden’s three valleys and notice the contrast between the jungle-like lower valley and the sunnier upper slopes.
1–2 hours
Find the laurel maze
Visit the garden’s laurel maze, identified by the National Trust as a signature feature.
Continue towards Durgan and the Helford River
The visitor information describes a route through the garden towards Durgan, where visitors can look out over the Helford River. Check current access and closing arrangements.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick escape: the three valleys and the maze
- 01
Check current opening information and enter the garden.
- 02
Explore the three valleys, noticing how the planting changes between the lower and upper slopes.
- 03
Visit the laurel maze.
- 04
Allow time to return through the garden before closing.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: garden to Durgan
- 01
Explore the garden’s three valleys and laurel maze.
- 02
Follow the garden route down towards Durgan village and the Helford River, checking current access and closing arrangements.
- 03
Pause at the Tea House if it is open; check its hours before setting out.
Verified history
The supplied visitor information says the Fox family created the garden. The available sources do not provide dates or a fuller account of its history.
Hidden details
Look for the garden’s plant contrasts — The visitor information highlights giant rhubarb in the lower valley and spiky plants on the sunny upper slopes—use this change in planting to read the garden as you move through it.
Notice the tulip trees and ponds — Tulip trees and ponds are specifically mentioned in the supplied visitor information; their precise locations within the garden are not given.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources; check current opening times.
The sources mention varied planting but do not substantiate particular peak months or seasonal effects.
Check the forecast and current visitor information before travelling. No site-specific weather guidance is established by the supplied sources.
Worth pairing with
Durgan and the Helford River
A natural extension to the garden visit: the supplied visitor information describes walking down to Durgan and the river. Confirm current access and closing arrangements.
What to look for
Notice the contrast between giant rhubarb in the jungle-like lower valley and the spiky plants on the sunny upper slopes. Look for the laurel maze, tulip trees and ponds described in the supplied visitor information.
The story
Garden created by the Fox family, according to the supplied visitor information.
Best time to go
Check current garden information for seasonal highlights; the supplied sources describe both jungle-like lower-valley planting and sunny upper-slope plants.
Check the National Trust’s current visitor information for opening times and seasonal highlights. The available sources do not establish a specific best hour to visit.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Photographers · Walkers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Thursday: 10:30am-5pm
- Friday: 10:30am-5pm
- Saturday: 10:30am-5pm
- Sunday: 10:30am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
National Trust garden with paid admission for non-members. Check current opening times, prices and access arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
National Trust car park; check current parking arrangements and charges before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
National Trust Tea House listed by the National Trust; check current opening times.
Check before visiting
Dogs
National Trust information says dogs are welcome in the garden on short fixed leads; assistance dogs only in the maze, orchard and Schoolroom.
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. The gardens include slopes; check the National Trust’s current accessibility information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Helford River and ponds are mentioned in the sources. No swimming or paddling permission is established.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Glendurgan Garden
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
