EVENTS AT HELIGAN

Spring Events

2010

Our calendar of Spring Events offers a variety of creative activities, inspiring displays and informative demonstrations. Further information about each event will appear on our website as their dates approach.

EASTER EGGS-TRAVAGANZA

Sunday 4th April 2010

Enjoy traditional Easter past times in the Gardens.

Take part in an Easter trail around the Northern Gardens, following a series of mysterious clues to discover who has been hiding the secret nest of eggs! The traditional seasonal past time of Egg Decorating will be taking place in the Covered Area and the day will finish in the Sundial Garden with a fun filled Egg Rolling Competition!

Book Signing in the Heligan Shop ~ 1pm to 3pm
Creators of The Mudmaid and The Giant, Sandra Horn and Karen Popham, will be in the Covered Area signing their beautiful children’s books and presenting prizes at the Egg Rolling Competition.

Egg Hunt, Egg Decoration and entry into the Egg Rolling Competition are all included in the normal garden admission charge.
Free admission to the Heligan Shop, Plant Centre and Heligan Tearoom.

Heligan Show Garden

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th April 2010

The annual Spring Flower Show of the Cornwall Garden Society takes place at the historic Boconnoc Estate in 2010. This year Heligan will be represented by a Mediterranean style garden, which will be judged in the new show garden class. The garden has been inspired by our very own Italian Garden and will feature a reconstruction of the distinctive summerhouse.

Plants for the garden will be supplied by our own Heligan Nursery, which will also be running a sales table next to the show garden for the first time. This will be a perfect opportunity to buy plants seen in the garden, helping show visitors to create their own taste of a Mediterranean retreat.

Hansel & Gretel

Wednesday 7th ~ Friday 23rd April 2010

EXTRA DATES CONFIRMED
MONDAY 19TH APRIL - FRIDAY 23RD APRIL

A Kneehigh Theatre & Bristol Old Vic co-production

Hansel & Gretel
A wonder tale... performed undercover in the Heligan Field Car Park

Let the irrepressible Kneehigh Theatre take you by the hand and lead you into the deepest part of the forest! Prepare for a world of darkness, wit and wonder, of earthy delights and crooked shadows.

This tender, tasty and terrifying re-telling of the classic story is told through lively music, rough poetry, the most amazing gadgets and gizmos... and with the help of some rather unlucky rabbits.

For children and brave adults everywhere.

Box office – 01726 879500 www.crbo.co.uk

DE JAGER'S 'TULIP MANIA' AT THE LOST GARDENS

Monday 26th April ~ Sunday 2nd May 2010

Magnificent displays of stunning de Jager bulbs will be on show throughout the Northern Gardens, bringing new swaths of spring colour across the Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Grounds.

Against a backdrop of ancient flowering rhododendrons and camellias the gardens will become an amazing array of pinks, lilacs, reds and yellows, providing a breathtaking visual feast. De Jager’s 'Tulip Mania' will feature many of the older bulb varieties grown by de Jager to compliment the horticultural history encapsulated by the Northern Gardens at Heligan.

Included in normal garden admission charge.

Spring Celebration

Monday 3rd May 2010

Our annual Spring Celebration event welcomes the arrival of a season of abundance, growth and new beginnings. With an array of artistic workshops, wildlife activities, captivating demonstrations and lively music there will be something for everyone to enjoy during this family friendly event.

Live jazz will be playing on Flora’s Green throughout the day to accompany delicious home-made cream teas, face painting and paper bunting making. Willow Weaving can also be experienced on Flora’s Green, try your hand at weaving a dragonfly or fish during these fun and creative workshops, accessible to all ages, and take home your endeavours as a personalised memento of the day.

In the Wider Estate fascinating demonstrations of woodturning, hazel weaving, flock care and charcoal burning will be taking place, whilst Horsemoor Hide will be the perfect spot to ask your wildlife questions.

Throw yourself into our traditional games of ring and hoop or join the Smite tournament to discover what makes this fast paced Cornish skittles game so much fun for all the family.

As the gardens and estate fill with the joys of spring this celebratory event is surrounded perfectly by the beauty of nature; the apple arches burst with blossoms, bluebells create a purple sea on the woodland floor, spring lambs frolic amongst daffodils in the fields and giant rhubarb emerges in the Jungle.

All Spring Celebration activities are included in the normal garden admission charge except face painting and willow weaving.

NATIONAL COLLECTION DISPLAY

Tuesday 4th ~ Sunday 9th May 2010

An award-winning display about our National Collection of ‘Camellias and rhododendrons introduced to Heligan pre-1920’ will be erected undercover on Flora’s Green for garden visitors to enjoy throughout the week. Discover the fascinating stories behind Heligan’s amazing collection of historic rhododendrons and camellias as they bloom majestically across the gardens and estate.

The display details the adventures of significant Victorian Plant Hunters, reveals fascinating stories of individual plants from Heligan’s collection and describes how the micro-propagation project at Duchy College is helping to conserve the future of some of Heligan’s horticultural treasures. In 2009 the display was awarded a Gold medal at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Q&A with Bee Robson at the display and Heligan Shop Book Signing
Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th May 2010

Q&A with Bee Robson at the National Collection Display – 10am to 12pm
Bee Robson, former Heligan plant curator and expert on Heligan’s National Collection will be available to answer your rhododendron and camellia questions at the display.

Heligan Shop Book Signing – 2pm to 3pm
Bee will also be signing copies of her new book 'The Lost Gardens of Heligan Camellias and Rhododendrons National Plant Heritage Collection' at the Heligan Shop. This informative and beautifully illustrated book brings the fascinating stories of Heligan’s ancient plant collections to life. Looking at the issues threatening their survival, it concludes with a description of the ground-breaking programme, which is helping to ensure the conservation of this historically significant National Collection.


Access to the display is included in the normal garden admission charge.
Free admission to the Heligan Shop, Plant Centre & Heligan Tearoom.

The Lost Gardens at Night - a photographic workshop

Thursday 27th & Friday 28th May 2010

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Experience an exclusive opportunity to enjoy an evening with international night time photographer, Linda Rutenberg. Join Linda and her husband, the lighting expert Roger Leeon, in the Northern Gardens to learn the special techniques of photographing plants, flowers and gardens by night. Followed by an afternoon critique.

Thursday 27th 6:30pm – 10:30pm Night time photography
Discover the delights of a living night time studio as Linda shares her photographic techniques in this intimate workshop.

Friday 28th 3pm – 5pm Follow up and critique
Photographers will have the opportunity to share their work with Linda and receive valuable feedback on improving their night time images.

A camera, tripod and torch are essential, as well as a working knowledge of your camera. Tickets at £30 include both workshops and a very limited number are available.

FOR TICKETS TEL: 01726 845100