Art Activism: performance with power and communities for change

  • 15 Jun: 8:00am

Book Online

Rise with the sun and start your day immersed in nature. From 8am, early birds are invited to begin their journey with a soulful yoga session overlooking the ocean, set in a serene green space nestled between Heligan’s iconic Northern Summer House and sweeping views of the Cornish coastline. Stretch, breathe, and awaken your senses as the sea breeze sets the tone for a day like no other. Follow that moment of peace with a freshly brewed coffee and a nourishing breakfast from our rustic Home Kitchen.

From 11am, the Heligan Home Stage invites you into a series of conversations that ask big questions. Hear from peace-pilgrim, former monk, and lifelong activist Satish Kumar, whose life is a lesson in purposeful living. Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller brings a bold and brilliant perspective on the intersection of art, politics, and everyday life. Tim Taylor, creator of Time Team, explores how story, science, and the land come together to shape our past and our future.

Joining the stage, Dr. Jenny Goodman offers a vital lens on environmental health and the role of medicine in a changing climate. Her voice brings insight, urgency, and hope, challenging us to see planetary wellbeing and human health as deeply entwined. With years of experience in ecological medicine, her call to action is both practical and profound.

Paul Powlesland, a barrister, environmental campaigner, and founder of Lawyers for Nature, brings the voice of the trees to the conversation, quite literally. With wit and wisdom, he challenges legal norms and invites us to reimagine our relationship with the natural world, advocating for the rights of rivers, woodlands, and wild places.

They are joined by Mike Shepherd, founder of the visionary Kneehigh Theatre, whose work has long explored joyful and archaic and innovative theatre. Folk singer, conservationist, and song collector Sam Lee adds his voice to the conversation, not in song, but in story, offering reflections on the role of culture, community, and the natural world.

We encourage you to arrive early, soak up the festival atmosphere and explore the day’s experiences and immersive moments.

Whether you’re drawn to the rich history of Heligan, captivated by horticulture, intrigued by the poetry of Simon Armitage, or simply here to enjoy a magical day out with your family, there’s a path for everyone. And sometimes, the most meaningful journey is the one where you lose yourself a little. In June, the gardens are in full bloom, offering quiet corners, hidden trails, and the kind of beauty that makes you feel, somehow, at home.

Beyond the stage, the festival continues to unfold across the landscape. Walkways meander through meadows alive with colour and pollinators. Pop-up musicians surprise and delight around quiet corners. Wellbeing spaces offer pause, reflection, and a chance to reconnect.

Family fun awaits in the vibrant Play Meadow, where little adventurers and grown-up explorers alike can enjoy archery, axe throwing, face painting, bubbles galore, and more.

When it's time to refuel, the Heligan Home Kitchen is open all day, serving delicious home-cooked dishes and soul-nourishing refreshments in a setting that feels like... well, home.

This is a day of listening and leaning in, of discovering how performance, protest, and creativity can grow from the ground up. A celebration of art in action, and of the many ways it can lead us home.

May Wheelbarrow In Sunny Kitchen Garden

Timetable – Sunday 15th June

8am Yoga in Nature

9:00 – Gardens open to ticket holders and garden visitors             

9:30 – Beaver tour

10:00 - Home Stage / Festival Area Open

11:00 - Home Stage - Paul Powlesland

11:00 - Unveiling Heligan: A Journey Through its Stories and Secrets

11:45 - Home Stage - Dr Jenny Goodman 

12:30 - Home Stage - Satish Kumar

13:00 – Family Forage with Emma Gunn

14:00 - Home Stage - Mike Shepherd

14:45 - Home Stage - Jeremy Deller

15:45 - Home Stage - Tim Taylor

17:30 - Home Stage closes

Our Yoga session, walks and talks in bold are free for ticket holders. You'll be prompted to book these sessions at our checkout.

Book Tickets

  • 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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