Tuesday was a trip to the Lost Gardens of Heligan which was the family seat of the Tremaynes for over 400 years. By the early 20th century the house fell into neglect and the gardens were allowed to become overgrown.
The Tremayne family purchased the Heligan estate from the Hill family in the 16th century and built a new manor house here in 1603. The house was rebuilt in 1692 in William and Mary style. The superb gardens surrounding the house were begun by Rev. Henry Hawkins Tremayne in the late 18th century. Rev. Tremayne called in Thomas Gray to create a garden plan around 1780, and this plan helped the eventual restoration work. Tremayne planted trees to screen the site and laid out the northern gardens and rose garden.
The Burmese Rope Bridge across 'The Jungle'
Later generations of the family added a wild area known as The Jungle, with subtropical plants including giant tree ferns, overlooking the fishing port at Mevagissey below.
The last resident Tremayne was Jack, who built the Italian garden, but then relocated to Italy itself, and leased the house. Heligan was used as an army base in WWII, and the house was later converted into flats and sold.
While the house was undergoing all these changes and the estate lacked a resident owner, the gardens were neglected and quite literally became overgrown and 'lost'. For over 70 years the gardens slumbered on and were covered by an overgrowth of brambles, weeds and dense foliage.
In the 1990s a group of garden enthusiasts joined together to restore the gardens, a process that was featured on a 1996 TV series and became the largest garden restoration in Europe. The gardens were fully restored to their early 20th-century glory and opened as a visitor attraction.
It is obviously a very large area to cover (80 acres) and we were probably going at the wrong time off year - also at half term! However, there were things to do and see in the barnes for the children and us adults explored some of the gardens.
This sculpture was created by Artist Sue Hill and her brother Pete Hill. The giant looks alive…the shape of his eye sockets and eye balls are so compelling. His sculpted ear and nose are somewhat exaggerated and humorous and integrate so well with the plants of his hair and skin.
The Giant’s head was created out of a fallen tree with a huge root ball. Again, mud was plastered onto the tree root to create the face. Finally twigs were scattered through and stuck on the top of the head.
The British Lop pig is an endangered British breed of pig, with less than 200 breeding sows left. Halegan is proud to breed these impressive pigs and looks to raise awareness of their endangered status. The Lops are easily recognisable, they are the pink piggys with the floppy ears that hang in front of their eyes, it’s a wonder how they see anything?!
Have tree, must climb!
A few Honey Fungus spotted on a fallen tree
This attracted me with its sprawling branches going in all directions
In one of the barns there were activities for the youngsters to take part in. Izobelle wanted to do some of them so we joined the throng! What attracted our attention was the man displaying various creates not normally seen in the Uk including this Tarantula and allowing those brave enough to actually hold one. This picture is of Rosey holding it - very brave I would say!
