Exotic English gardens lost for centuries is named one of the best in the UK

THE Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall has been named one of the best in the UK.

The gardens after 'lost' as a result of World War I - but has just won a King's Award.

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The Lost Gardens of Heligan was first developed in the mid-18th century and were cultivated by the Tremayne family, with the creation of rides for horses, walled flower gardens, and a melon yard.

It was thriving up until World War I, when the Heligan gardens were left to ruin.

The 'lost years' were between 1914 and 1990 when they were rediscovered and the restoration project became one of the biggest garden transformations in Europe.

The year 1991 marked the restoration of the Italian Garden, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan officially opened to the public on Good Friday in 1992.

In 1994, the Flower Garden was restored and in 2024, The Lost Gardens of Heligan welcomed its eight millionth visitor.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is split into three parts and is home to the UK's only outdoor jungle which has exotic plants.

In the jungle are four ponds, giant rhubarb, banana plantations, bamboo forests and avenues of palm trees.

The jungle has a microclimate which is at least five degrees warmer than gardens in the north of the UK .

It's where you'll also find one of the longest Burmese Rope Bridges in Britain, stretching 100 feet above ancient tree ferns.

The Pleasure Grounds were first laid out 200 years ago - they have historic pathways and plants.

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Some plantings are over 150 years old, and are home to the national collection of camellias and rhododendrons which were introduced to Heligan pre-1920.

Like many gardens in Cornwall, Heligan reaps the benefits from a mild climate.

The Productive Garden has 300 varieties of fruit, vegetables, salad and herbs which supply the on-site kitchen and are incorporated within the daily lunch menu.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is now one of the best gardens in the UK and in May 2025 was honoured with a King's Award for Enterprise.

Laura Smit-Chesterfield, managing director of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, said: "The team at The Lost Gardens of Heligan are delighted, honoured, and proud to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise."

That's not the only award it has won - over the years, The Lost Gardens of Heligan has been named Britain's Finest Garden and the Best Garden in the UK.

Tickets for The Lost Gardens of Heligan for adults are £28, children between 5 and 17 are £12.50, and children under five go free.

Here's another pretty ‘secret’ garden in England that is more like going to China and Egypt.

And six exotic UK gardens you can visit year round where it feels like the Caribbean - even in winter.

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