Newquay may be best known for its beaches, but a hidden delight in the town is Trenance Gardens and Boating Lake.

With the large, well-kept gardens with glorious rose beds and well-maintained paths, this is a pleasure to visit and a great place to relax. Enjoy a cream tea in the restored Trenance Heritage Cottages; now a small museum recounting the history of workers in bygone times.

Next to Trenace Gardens, you will find the Boating Lake which makes the area a wildlife haven with birds, ducks and geese. You can hire pedalo’s and row boats to go around the lake taking in the atmosphere and getting closer to the wildlife. 

The Killacourt 

Newquay also has little gardens and parks around the town with seating areas so you can just sit, relax and take in the views. In the town centre is a grassy area, named the Killacourt, with colourful raised flowerbeds that give you a panoramic view of the sea.

The Killacourt has the town bandstand with regular weekend town bands and live music appearances throughout the summer, plus it is also a popular location for other outside events and charity fairs.  

The Japanese Gardens

Just outside of Newquay, you will find The Japanese Gardens, set in approximately 1 acre, the Japanese Garden is a perfect example of what is small is beautiful. Diminutive it may be in size, but its paths lead to a myriad of divine features, including the Water Gardens, Stroll Garden and a Zen Garden - created in accordance with the philosophy of the East. A fusion of authentic Japanese gardening styles and the exotic varieties planted make this a horticultural hotspot that's worth a visit.

Gardens in Cornwall 

Further afield Cornwall has dozens of gardens from the subtropical Trebah Gardens on the south coast to the world-famous Eden Project and the recovered Victorian gardens of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, just outside of St Austell. 

Eden Project

The Eden project is the most unusual garden with its vast temperature-controlled bio-domes representing several different climates. There is also a large garden outside of the domes with loads of informative and educational sections about the Eden Project itself and what it represents.

Lost Gardens of Heligan 

Heligan is one of the most mysterious estates in England. Lost to the brambles of time since the outbreak of WW1, this Sleeping Beauty was re-awakened in 1990 to become Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Today Heligan’s 200 acres are a paradise for the explorer, wildlife, plant lover and garden romantic.

Trebah Gardens 

Discover the magic of this beautiful Cornish valley garden with over four miles of footpath. Explore under canopies bursting with exotic blooms. Follow vibrant tunnels of colour that cascade down to our very own secluded beach on the Helford River.

Pencarrow House and Gardens 

Pencarrow House & Gardens has been the friendly family home of the Molesworth-St Aubyns for almost 500 years.

Tucked away on the edge of Bodmin Moor, this Cornish Georgian gem offers plenty to do, with a Grade II listed garden, Iron Age fort, children’s play area, café and gift shop.

For more information on the individual gardens below, please click on the one you want to know more about.