Celebrate the arrival of Spring with Olga Polizzi as she tours two famous Cornish gardens in the company of members of the families who created and now care for them. Olga will visit Trewithen with Sam Galsworthy, the tenth generation of the family to run the estate, and Glendurgan on the River Helford with garden designer, artist, writer and flower arranger Charles Fox.
Sir Tim Smit (Lost Gardens of Heligan and Eden Project) will join Olga, Charles and Sam to share stories from the gardens of Cornwall.
Few people realise that Cornish gardens are at their very best in March with the glorious Magnolias and Camellias in full bloom. This is the very best time to visit Cornwall.
Our guests will receive a private tour of Trewithen House with Kitty Galsworthy, the chatelaine of this magnificent 18th century property.
Trewithen is set in 30 acres of subtropical gardens. In spring, the quiet rest of winter gives way to an exotic burst of colour: whites, reds, yellows, and almost every shade of pink. Head Gardener, Gary Long will lead a private tour of the garden.
The Galsworthy family sponsored some of the great plant hunters to gather an astonishing and specialist seed collection from far flung countries including China. These were shipped back to England and successfully cultivated at Trewithen – leading to a great botanical reputation that endures to this day.
Trewithen garden is open to the public for four months every year and, as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence, is world renowned for stunning displays of spring flowers.
Before taking over the running of the family estate, one of the oldest and most beautiful in Cornwall, Sam Galsworthy conceived and built Sipsmith Gin Distillery, the first copper distillery in London for nearly 200 years. Sipsmith was later acquired by a multi-national company and taken global. Sam will give a talk with Charles Fox and Olga Polizzi before dinner on Monday evening.
With the family's international shipping connections and Falmouth being the busiest port in the Northern hemisphere for about 150 years, it is believed that the Foxes were ideally placed to receive plants from all over the world.
There are three valleys of Glendurgan to lose yourself in. Sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks, and plants with big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the subtropical lower valley. In spring, an abundance of wildflowers fill the sloping sides of the valley leading down to the River Helford.
The National Trust has kindly given us permission to visit the garden on Monday when it is closed to the public. This special access allows our guests to have one of Cornwall's most loved gardens all to ourselves in the company of Charles and Caroline Fox.
Sir Tim Smit ‘discovered’ and then restored the Lost Gardens of Heligan and co-founded the Eden Project. Tim will give a talk on Sunday evening and join guests for dinner afterwards.
This special break includes two nights accommodation, dinner on both evenings with wine, breakfast each morning, private tours of both gardens and the house at Trewithen. Lunch on Monday at Trewithen and refreshments at Glendurgan. From £1000 based on two guests sharing a small sea view room.
Spring blooms early in Cornwall.
