What To See
Stroll down through the peaceful, exotic and playful valley garden to a sheltered beach at the bottom.
There are three valleys of Glendurgan to lose yourself in – full of fun, informality, natural beauty and amazing plants.
Big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the jungle-like lower valley and sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks. In spring thousands of wildflowers carpet the sloping sides of this steep valley.
Wandering through the garden leads down to the unspoilt hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River: a place to watch birds and boats, skim stones and build sand-castles.
Walking back up from Durgan you can find an unusual Boat Seat, a gigantic Tulip Tree and a pond teeming with wildlife. You can also learn about the Fox family who created this ‘small peace of heaven on earth.’
Quiet Space
Enjoy the tranquillity of the Olive Grove and School Room in our quieter spaces in the garden.
What We Offer
Beautiful and intriguing exotic plants and banks of restful wildflowers are tucked into three sheltered valleys leading down to the Helford River. We’re very lucky to have a very gentle climate to grow plants in at Glendurgan. The three valleys of the garden are sheltered from the worst winds and the rare frosts we experience ‘drain’ down to the river at the bottom.
With many children to entertain, the Fox family planted an extensive maze and also installed a rotating rope swing.
Visitors to Glendurgan today are following in the footsteps of the Fox family when they enjoy both of these much-loved parts of Glendurgan. With the Giant’s Stride put up in 1913 and the maze planted nearly a hundred years earlier in 1833, family entertainment has always been part of Glendurgan.
The living puzzle: Planted on one side of the valley, this living puzzle is in the heart of the garden. Most people can’t wait to reach the middle of the maze, but some enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting opposite and watching others experience confusion, frustration and hopefully celebration. It’s planted with cherry laurel which is vigorous and tough enough to withstand regular trimming and footsteps around its roots. Palm trees mark the four corners of the puzzle and a thatched summerhouse sits in the middle.
Opening Times
Glendurgan opens on Saturday 13 February 2021. Pre-booking is essential for both National Trust members and non-members.
Open 13 February – 31 October 2021, 10:30am – 5pm. Closed Mondays. Open Bank Holiday Mondays and all Mondays in August.
Last entry one hour before closing. Closes dusk if earlier.
Contact Us
Telephone: 01326252020
Email: glendurgan@nationaltrust.org.uk
Address: Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5JZ