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.

Fully functioning Pineapple Pit. Heligan competes for biggest pine against other local estates.

Bee Boles constructed.

Home Farm thriving.

Establishing connection with plant hunters.

(Later Cornus capitata).

Development of planting of Northern Gardens and Japanese Garden using new, imported exotic species.

Continuation of planting Japanese Garden (now Jungle).

Shelterbelt trees cut for war effort.

John Nelson begins clearance.

Philip McMillan Browse, then County Horticultural Advisor becomes involved in restoration. Clearance of Melon Yard.

BTCV group clears Eastern and Western Rides.

BBC Gardeners’ World broadcasts from Heligan.

Cornwall County Council planning permission given to open to the public.

Grant Aid from Countryside Commission’s ‘Task Force Trees’.

The Times quote “The garden restoration of the century”.

Easter – Garden open to public.

Replanted garden shelter belts.

Restored Northern Summerhouse.

Cleared overgrowth from Vegetable Garden.

Restored structures in the Melon Yard.

Restoration of Flower Garden.

First year’s planting in Vegetable Garden and Melon Yard.

Acquired pineapple varieties for Pineapple Pit.

Country Life award ‘Gardener of the Year’.

The Good Gardens Guide award ‘Outstanding Gardener of the Year’.

Six-part Channel 4 TV documentary, (later awarded Garden Programme of the Year).

The Lost Gardens of Heligan by Tim Smit published.

Hosted Centenary Spring Flower Show of Cornwall Garden Society.

Eden project awarded Millennium funding at Heligan.

Private visit from HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall.

First fruiting of pineapples – one is delivered to the Queen for her 50th wedding anniversary.

Gold Medal at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

First fruits from new vines in vinery.

The Good Guide to Britain award ‘Garden of the Year’.

Wildlife survey begins on Heligan Estate.

Heligan purchases Watering Lane Nursery for Eden Project.

Ice sculpture exhibition commemorating lost gardeners on 80th Anniversary of armistice.

Partner in The Times ‘Grow Good Food Campaign’.

Cornish hedges re-laid in Wider Estate.

Total eclipse of the sun.

Heligan Wild book published

The Which? Guide to Tourist Attractions ‘Best Outdoor Attractions’ 5 star award winner.

The Heligan Vegetable Bible by Philip McMillan Browse published.

Opening of Butler’s Path.

Vegetable Garden cleared back to original size.

First Heligan Harvest display.

Tremayne Estate extends lease.

Horsemoor Hide receives first “Live” images from bird boxes.

Propagation from old camellias started.

Rebuilding of Ravine rockery.

Heligan – a Celebration by Sue Lewington published.

First barn owl chicks viewed on camera from Horsemoor Hide.

Wood Project began.

A Taste of Heligan: vegetarian and fruit recipes published.

BBC Gardeners’ World vote Heligan ‘The Nation’s Favourite Garden’.

Radio Times “Britain's finest garden”. Heligan voted second only to Kew.

Heligan Harvest – Sue Lewington.

Lobbs Farm Shop opens on site.

Carved Tree Ferns donated from Chelsea Flower Show for New Zealand garden.

A Taste of Heligan: meat, fish, chicken and game published.

Wildlife Walks start.

Heligan’s first Bat Nights.

First “Big Draw” event at Heligan.

Entire refurbishment of Melon Yard.

Heligan – Fruit, Flowers and Herbs by Philip McMillan Browse published.

3 millionth visitor arrived.

Heligan's first children’s book, The Mud Maid by Sandra Horn and Karen Popham, published.

Heavy snow fall in November closes gardens for three days.

The Kitchen Gardens at Heligan – Lost Gardening Principles Rediscovered published.

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.

Creators of The Mud Maid and The Giant, Sue and Pete Hill install a new woodland sculpture – The Grey Lady – on the Woodland Walk.

Access to a new section of the Georgian Ride in the Wider Estate is opened.

Hannibal the Heligan Barn Owl eats his siblings alive on BBC Springwatch.

Heligan features in Cbeebies Autumn watch.

The Heligan Tearoom wins silver Café of the Year at the Cornish Tourism Awards.

BBC Springwatch & Autumnwatch return for an update on Hannibal the Barn Owl.

Heligan Wildlife: On Film is released on DVD to accompany the Heligan Wildlife guide.

Online travel site TripAdvisor votes Heligan in the top ten gardens in Britain.

The Telegraph places Heligan at number four of the ten best “Mothers’ Breaks”.

Heligan History; Lost Gardens, Lost Gardeners published.

BTCV celebrates their 50th anniversary with a special event for volunteers and staff.

Heligan History: Lost Gardens, Lost Gardeners book wins Holyer An Gof award in ‘Publications about a small area of Cornwall’ category.

Heligan is awarded a Gold Medal at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.

Philippa Forrester and Charlie Hamilton James filming for new 1-hour BBC Natural World programme.

Discovered late 18th century Tremayne glass bottle and purchased silver salvers dated 1762.

First written archive regarding Cornish Pasty relates to Heligan.

Autumn visit by rare Green Heron from USA.

4 Millionth visitor.

Visit by HRH Countess of Wessex.

Countryfile Magazine Awards – ‘Britain's Finest Garden’.

New Lost Valley sculpture revealed – Growth & Decay.

Rare Yellow-legged Clearwing­­ moth spotted in the gardens.

Cornwall Garden Society, Spring Flower Show - Silver Gilt - Horticultural Trade Exhibit .

Fern Gulley opened.

Noble Isle, Summer Rising body lotion and bath & shower gel launches incorporating Heligan elderflower and gooseberries.

Dogs welcome to the gardens all year round.

Win Cornwall Today Garden of the Year.

Clothing collection inspired by The Lost Gardens of Heligan launched by Seasalt.

Insect hotel completed on Georgian Ride.

Cornwall Tourism Awards – Garden of the Year – Silver Award.

Father Christmas visits the gardens for the first time.

Live location for BBC Winterwatch – Big Garden Birdwatch.

BBC Countryfile Magazine ‘Best Heritage Site’.

Cornwall Garden Society, Spring Flower Show – Silver Gilt award – Show Garden Category.

Kneehigh Theatre premieres ‘Dead Dog in a Suitcase’ at Heligan.

5000 people attend ‘100; The Day Our World Changed’.

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.

Heligan show garden wins gold at Boconnoc

First wedding held at Heligan

Awarded Silver Gilt at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

Visit from Prime Minister David Cameron

Private Visit from HRH Duke and Duchess of Cornwall

New Ticket Office and expansion of visitor facilities

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) – new planting due in 2017

 Winner Best UK Leisure Attraction at British Travel Awards

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. 

Otter caught on camera stealing fish from the Italian Garden pond