Read our Story
How a lost garden was found
Timeline
Learn all about the history of Heligan. From 1200 right up until the present day.
Chapter 1
Early History: 1200 - 1766
1200's
Heligan Manor first built.
1569
Sampson Tremayne completed purchase of Heligan.
1603
William Tremayne built Heligan House in the Jacobean style.
1692
Sir John Tremayne rebuilt the house in William and Mary style using Heligan bricks.
Chapter 2
Development of Gardens: 1766 - 1914
1766 - 1829
Henry Hawkins Tremayne - Squire Henry Hawkins constructed the network of rides around the Northern Gardens and throughout the estate.
Shelterbelts against SW gales planted and walls of Flower Garden and Melon Yard built.
1829 – 51
John Hearle Tremayne. - Squire
Fully functioning Pineapple Pit. Heligan competes for biggest pine against other local estates.
Bee Boles constructed.
Home Farm thriving.
1813
Married Caroline Matilda Lemon
Establishing connection with plant hunters.
1832
The new Long Drive to Heligan House planted with Bethamia fragifera (Later Cornus capitata).
1851
Hooker Collection of rhododendrons secured for gardens.
1851 – 1901
John Tremayne - Squire Development of planting of Northern Gardens and Japanese Garden using new, imported exotic species.
1855
Paxton House built
1890's
John’s son John Claude built Ravine
1896
Sundial Garden described as having “The finest herbaceous border in England”
1901-1914
John Claude Tremayne - Squire
Continuation of planting Japanese Garden (now Jungle).
1905 – 07
Davidia involucrata planted in Sundial Garden.
1906/07
Italian Garden Built
Chapter 3
The Lost Years: 1914 - 1990
1914-18
First World War
Shelterbelt trees cut for war effort.
1914
August - Staff signed signatures on the wall of Thunderbox Room
1916-19
Heligan House used as Convalescence Hospital for Officers
1920s – 1930s
House tenanted out
1939 – 1945
American troops use Heligan House as a base
1950s – 1960s
House tenanted out
1973-1974
House converted into flats and sold off
Chapter 4
Garden Restoration -1990 - 2000
1990
Derelict gardens discovered by Tim Smit and John Willis (Tremayne descendant).
John Nelson begins clearance.
Philip McMillan Browse, then County Horticultural Adviser becomes involved in restoration. Clearance of Melon Yard.
BTCV group clears Eastern and Western Rides.
1991
Restoration of Italian Garden.
BBC Gardeners’ World broadcasts from Heligan.
Cornwall County Council planning permission given to open to the public.
The Times quote “The garden restoration of the century”.
1992
Lease signed between Tremayne Estate & Heligan Gardens Limited.
Easter – Garden open to public.
Replanted garden shelter belts.
Restored Northern Summerhouse.
Cleared overgrowth from Vegetable Garden.
1993
Clearance of Top Lake in Jungle & building of the boardwalk.
Restored structures in the Melon Yard.
1994
Restoration of Flower Garden.
First year’s planting in Vegetable Garden and Melon Yard.
1995
Which? Magazine quote “Most recommended garden”.
Country Life award ‘Gardener of the Year’.
1996
The Good Gardens Guide award ‘Outstanding Gardener of the Year’.
1997
Opening of Lost Valley & charcoal burning began.
Six-part Channel 4 TV documentary, (later awarded Garden Programme of the Year).
Private visit from HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall.
First fruiting of pineapples – one is delivered to the Queen for her 50th wedding anniversary.
1998
Pencalenick Glasshouse acquired & restored.
Gold Medal at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
First fruits from new vines in the Vinery.
The Good Guide to Britain award ‘Garden of the Year’.
Ice sculpture exhibition commemorating lost gardeners on 80th Anniversary of armistice.
1999
Second Channel 4 TV series "Return to the Lost Gardens of Heligan".
Chapter 5
The Millennium: 2000 - Present Day
2000
Partner in The Times ‘Grow Good Food Campaign’.
2001
The Eden Project opened.
Horsemoor Hide receives first “Live” images from bird boxes.
Propagation from old camellias started.
Rebuilding of Ravine rockery.
2002
Queen's Jubilee visit to Heligan stand at CGS Spring Flower Show at Trelissick.
First barn owl chicks viewed on camera from Horsemoor Hide.
BBC Gardeners’ World vote Heligan ‘The Nation’s Favourite Garden’.
2003
2003 Radio Times “Britain's finest garden”. Heligan voted second only to Kew.
2004
Jungle boardwalk totally re-built and extended.
Carved Tree Ferns donated from Chelsea Flower Show for New Zealand garden.
2005
3 millionth visitor arrived.
2006
Heligan Wild Land Management practices implemented.
The Giant children’s book by Sandra Horn and Karen Popham published.
Heligan Wildlife Project featured on BBC TV’s Springwatch programme with Bill Oddie.
2007
2007 - Creators of The Mud Maid and The Giant, Sue and Pete Hill install a new woodland sculpture – The Grey Lady – on the Woodland Walk.
Hannibal the Heligan Barn Owl eats his siblings alive on BBC Springwatch.
2008
2008 Heligan is granted National Collection Holder Status by Plant Heritage for collection: “Camellias and Rhododendrons Introduced to Heligan pre-1920”
BBC Springwatch & Autumnwatch return for an update on Hannibal the Barn Owl.
2009
Pineapple Pits produce first fruit in 3 years.
Heligan is awarded a Gold Medal at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.
2010
2010 Philippa Forrester and Charlie Hamilton James filming for 1-hour BBC Natural World programme, Heligan: Secrets of The Lost Garden.
First written archive regarding Cornish Pasty relates to Heligan.
Autumn visit by rare Green Heron from USA.
4 Millionth visitor.
2011
2011 Visit by HRH Countess of Wessex.
Countryfile Magazine Awards – ‘Britain's Finest Garden’.
New Lost Valley sculpture revealed – Growth & Decay.
2012
Fern Gulley opened in the Jungle.
Noble Isle, Summer Rising body lotion and bath & shower gel launches incorporating Heligan elderflower and gooseberries.
2013
Cornwall Today Garden of the Year.
Cornwall Tourism Awards – Garden of the Year – Silver Award.
Father Christmas visits the gardens for the first time.
2014
5000 people attend ‘100; The Day Our World Changed’.
Live location for BBC Winterwatch – Big Garden Birdwatch.
BBC Countryfile Magazine ‘Best Heritage Site’.
European Garden Network Award for ‘Restoration, enhancement or development of an historic park or garden’.
Cornwall Today Garden of the Year.
5 millionth visitor.
Cornwall Tourism Awards – ‘Winner of Winners’, ‘Garden & Country House of the Year’ & Silver in the Wildlife Friendly Business category.
2015
Awarded Bronze at the Visit England Awards.
Awarded Silver Gilt at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.
Private Visit from HRH Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.
2016
Renewal and extension of Jungle Boardwalk.
‘Remembering The Somme’ in partnership with RBL; a ceremony to mark the centenary with an exhibition on West Lawn ‘Seven Local Men Lost on the Somme’ Battlefield research by Lord John Hutton donated back to Mevagissey, Gorran and St Ewe parishes.
Unveiling of Memorial Plaque in memory of John Nelson on 25th Anniversary of restoration of Italian Garden in front of Gardeners’ World cameras.
Rebuilding the Ravine with improved access and new water feature (supplied by water from new bore hole near old Reservoir).
Winner Best UK Leisure Attraction at British Travel Awards.
2017
25th Anniversary of Heligan opening to the public to be marked by opening of rare breeds animal barn.
Winner Best UK Leisure Attraction at British Travel Awards for the second year running.
2018
Heligan awarded Rare Breed Farm Park status by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, making it the first rare breeds park in the whole of the South West!
Winner Best UK Leisure Attraction at British Travel Awards for third year in a row.
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year - Cornwall Tourism Awards
Garden of the Year - Countryfile Magazine Awards
2019
New Jungle Path - Treseder Steps opens in the Jungle
Included in the top 50 experiences within Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travel Guide.
The Lost Gardens are crowned as the UK’s top visitor garden by readers of Garden News magazine.
2020
Grow Your Own Magazine - Most Inspiring Vegetable Garden to Visit - Great British Growing Awards
