A Passion for Poetry: An evening with Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate, and Pascale Petit

  • 21 Jun: Gates open at 6pm

Book Tickets

Join us for an evening of literary heaven as we’re joined by award winning poets Simon Armitage and Pascale Petit.

May 2025 sees the release of Simon’s latest publication, Dwell, inspired by The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

The reawakened landscape with its woods, meadows and ‘jungle’ offers a bustling, fertile realm for all sorts of creatures to inhabit. Armitage uses elements of riddle and folklore to animate a series of dwellings: the ‘twig-and-leaf crow’s-nest squat’ of a squirrel’s drey, a beaver lodge’s ‘spillikin stave church’ and a hive’s ‘reactor core’. Distinctions between human and animal, natural and cultivated, are blurred, emphasising commonality and creating a vibrant account of ‘non-stop stop-motion life’.

Dwell warns of the fragility of these spaces and their dwellers, exposed to relentless and sadly familiar environmental threats. Just as a garden provides refuge for wildlife, so do these intricate poems offer lasting homes to those who dwell within their lines.

Our evening with Simon will be complemented by a reading from French-British poet Pascale Petit.

Doors open at 6 pm allowing attendees the opportunity to walk through our romantic gardens and enjoy food and drink beforehand - a truly Heligan experience rooting those attending with a sense of home.

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Timetable - Saturday 21st June - Evening

17:30 - Gates open for guests joining us for Cocktails & Canapes in the Sundial Garden

18:00 - Gates open to evening guests

19:00 - Pascale Petit

20:00 - Simon Armitage

21:30 - Close

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Leave the cooking to us…

Each Heligan Homecoming evening will see the Heligan Hospitality Team firing up the BBQ with St Austell Brewery on hand to provide beers, ciders, Pimms, G&Ts and soft drinks.

For guests looking to add something special to their evening, delight in our perfectly paired canapés and small plates, each served with a garden-inspired cocktail, in the enchanting Sundial Garden—the original gathering place of the Tremayne family.

Learn more

  • Heligan Homecoming is a romantic, energising and immersive Summer Festival set within the enchanting Heligan Estate.
  • Curated by the Heligan Team it explores the themes of home and belonging through a mix of experiences with music, words, food and nature for all ages.
  • There will be yoga in nature, foraging sessions for all the family, beaver tours and more!
  • For foodies, Heligan’s famous Lost Suppers will be more adventurous than ever, and everyone from the young to the young at heart will discover something fresh, meaningful and exciting.

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  • Key talks and performances will take place in the Home Stage Tent at Park-an-Lann.
  • The Home Stage tent will also have a variety of low-level seating when the stage hosts speakers or comedians, although do feel free to bring your own chairs or blankets.
  • Concert nights will not be seated, however there will be an accessible area for those that require it.
  • There will be a fully stocked bar, retail tent to purchase merchandise and books as well as opportunities to have booked signed by the author.
  • The rest of the Heligan site will play host to Homecoming experiences and activities as well as Garden Tours, Beaver Tours and much, much more.
  • The majority of Park-an-Lann will be exclusively for visitors who have purchased tickets for that day or night.
  • There will be a toilet block adjacent to the location and accessible toilet in the nearby Steward’s House.
  • You are welcome to bring you own chair, picnic blankets etc. Please note that the venue surface will be uneven in places.

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  • Tickets are only valid when purchased through the Heligan website booking system - https://www.heliganhomecoming.co.uk
  • There will be no charge for children under the age of three or for Essential Companions. Options are on the booking page.
  • Please note many of the talks may not be suitable or of interest to the really young ones

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  • Access to the gardens from 9am for the date indicated on your ticket.
  • Entry to Home Stage at Park-an-Lann to experience Homecoming scheduled talks.
  • Opportunity to pre-register for additional Homecoming experiences such as tours and workshops.

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  • Access to Home Stage at Park-an-Lann with associated hospitality and retail experiences.
  • Access to the gardens from 9am for the day that is associated with your ticket purchase. PLEASE NOTE: This does not include attending the Home Stage talks or additional bookable experiences. A valid day ticket must be purchased separately for these.
  • Access to purchasing tickets to our limited attendance Lost Supper events that will take place each evening – please see event listings on the website for details of each nights offering.

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  • You will be given both bands when you enter during the day and come and go as you wish.

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  • Locals and Members ticket rates available on the ticket booking system – please select the associated ticket option. You will need to log in to your account to access these.

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  • All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges permitted.

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  • The main Heligan car park is free to all festival visitors, Members and Local Pass holders. Please be ready to show your membership card or booking to the car park stewards. There is accessible parking in the main car park. All parking is on a first-come-first served basis as space is limited.
  • There is an overflow car park on the neighbouring Lobbs’ Field. This car park is not owned or controlled by Heligan, and charges may apply. Please follow our social media and website for updates as conditions may change.

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  • Please arrive in plenty of time for the start of your event as entry to the Home Stage may be denied after the event has started until there is a suitable interval.
  • The Home Stage at Park-an-Lann is located towards the middle of the site, please allow time to meander through the gardens and soak up the atmosphere.
  • Ticket holders must present their valid ticket at the ticket office to gain entry to the gardens.
  • You will also be provided a non-transferable wristband allowing access to Homecoming experiences.
    • Heligan reserves the right to refuse entry or eject any person from the venue who does not possess a valid ticket
    • breaches the terms & conditions
    • is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances
    • engages in disruptive, dangerous, or illegal behaviour, or
    • fails to comply with instructions from Festival staff or security personnel.
  • It is not permitted to bring food or drink to the evening events.

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  • Heligan reserves the right to add, withdraw, or substitute artists, and to vary the advertised program, venue, seating arrangements, and audience capacity without prior notice.
  • In the event of cancellation of the entire Festival, ticket holders will be entitled to a refund of the face value of their ticket. Service or processing fees may not be refundable.
  • No refunds will be issued if individual performances, speakers, or artists are cancelled or changed.
  • In the event of severe weather or other circumstances beyond reasonable control, the Festival may be cancelled, postponed, or modified without prior notice.
  • Heligan will communicate such changes as promptly as possible. In the unlikely event of a Force Majeure Event and where we’re unable to reschedule or reopen in time, you will not be entitled to a refund.

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  • By day, our usual Heligan food outlets will be open.
  • The BBQ will host the Home Kitchen for day and evening events.
  • There will be a range of options for all dietary requirements, with child options also available. Please note that on busy days your choice may not be available as we work hard to minimise food waste.
  • There will also be a full stocked bar for soft drinks and alcohol options by day and by night.

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Our normal toilet facilities will be open during the day and evening including our changing places facility located close to the ticket office. In addition we will also have male, female and accessible toilets located close to Home Stage at Park-an-Lann.

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  • Accessible parking will be available in our main carpark.
  • The Home Stage at Park-an-Lann will be accessible, but please be aware that part of the route is through a woodland area and so paths may be uneven.
  • Access to the tent is via rubber matting over grass, and an area of the tent will be suitable for wheelchair users or those with additional requirements.
  • We will endeavour to make as much of the experience accessible as possible but certain workshops, trails or walks may venture into our wider estate which is generally unsuitable for wheelchair users.
  • We have a limited number of Trampers for hire – Membership of Countryside Mobility is required and may be taken out on site. Please allow extra time for this and check in advance that a Tramper is available.
  • If you have any questions about your access requirements, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff either in advance of your visit or on the day.

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  • All children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • By day there are activities and experiences for children in the main site however ticketed talks at the Home Stage at Park-an-Lann venue may not be appropriate for young children.
  • For evening events please see event listings on the website for specific age direction.

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  • The site is accessible for prams as is our main site experience, although some walks or trails may venture into our wider estate which can involve steep inclines.

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  • Heligan is a dog-friendly site, but only Assistance Dogs will be allowed within the Home Stage area of Park-an-Lann.
  • Some of the additional experiences, such as the Beaver Tour, are NOT suitable for dogs or other pets. Please check with staff in advance.

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  • Heligan has a dedicated team of first aiders and paramedics onsite at all times.
  • If you are in need of any medical assistance, please contact a member of the Heligan staff and they will be happy to help.

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  • In an emergency, please contact the nearest member of security or a steward for help. When you get to Heligan, please familiarise yourself with the site and our facilities.

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  • The Lost Gardens of Heligan is an outdoor attraction with some indoor spaces such as cafés and restaurants.
  • In the event of bad weather during the planned event such as rain, high wind or cold temperatures, we continue with the event unless the senior management team decide it is unsafe to do so.
  • If the event runs despite inclement weather, you will not be eligible for a refund and are unable to move or cancel your ticket.
  • Please dress for the weather.

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  • If we have to cancel the event for whatever reason we will contact you via email or phone number to either try to move your booking to an alternative date, or to issue you a refund.

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  • By attending the Festival, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and recorded by the Heligan team or their designated representatives.
  • Heligan owns all rights to any recordings, photographs, or footage taken at the Festival and may use these for promotional, commercial, or archival purposes without compensation to attendees.
  • Personal photography and non-professional video recording are generally permitted for personal, non-commercial use only, unless otherwise specified for particular performances.

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  • Attendance at the Festival is at your own risk.
  • Heligan accepts no responsibility for any personal property that is lost, stolen, or damaged at the Festival.
  • Ticket holders agree to comply with all health and safety requirements implemented by the Heligan.
  • Heligan reserves the right to implement additional health and safety measures at any time for the safety and comfort of visitors.

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