The mild climate warmed by the Gulf Stream is the key. Sub-tropical species flourish. An exotic world of towering magnolias from the Himalayas, camellias from Japan, musk-scented olearia from Bermuda, fire trees from the Andes ... plants, trees and shrubs from all over the temperate world.

From small cottage gardens to large formal gardens, spectacular ravine gardens, rescued gardens and gardens still in the making. Some of the greatest gardens in the world are close by including:

The Lost Gardens of Heligan has been described as "the garden restoration of the century" by The Times. Returned to its' former glory, this diverse Victorian garden really is "magical".

The Eden Project is truly amazing both for its vision and architecture. A vast global garden for thousands of beautiful and important plants within breathtaking, space-age biomes. Discover how we depend on plants and it is a vibrant reminder of the importance of conservation. Intriguing, informative, inspirational and unmissable.

Lanhydrock House and Garden is the crowning glory of the National Trust in Cornwall and are a must see. Formal and informal gardens and woodland. Famed for magnolias of around 120 species.

Pencarrow House and Gardens are magnificent. Formal Italian and American gardens, a lake, a large Victorian rockery and woodlands abound with more than 700 varieties of rhododendrons.

Pine Lodge  is just brimming with rare and radiant plant species from the Japanese garden and the arboretum, to the stunning National Collection of grevilleas and a Pinetum.

Trewithen Gardens are outstanding. A beautiful woodland garden renowned for their magnificent collection of camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and rare trees.

Caerhays Castle exciting woodland gardens are the result of plant-hunting expeditions to China at the turn of the 19th century. Noted for camellias, huge magnolias, rhododendrons and oaks.

Trebah Gardens is a stunning sub-tropical ravine garden and is known as the “Garden of Dreams”: considered to be one of the best in the world. Huge tree ferns mingle with trees and shrubs in ever changing colours. Truly a garden for all seasons. Child friendly with play areas.

Glendurgan is an exotic valley garden on the Helford River with display of trees, rare shrubs and wild flowers. Children love the Laurel maze and Giant’s Stride.

Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery is small but beautiful. This authentic Japanese garden has Koi carp pools, a stroll garden, Zen garden, bamboo, maples, azaleas, rhododendrons and grasses.

But there are many more. National Trust gardens such as Trelissick and Cotehele. Probus has the county demonstration garden. Tregrehan, Trevarno, Trerice House and Gardens, Prideaux Place, Lamorran, Boconnoc, Bonython …

For further information on gardens in Cornwall please take a look at: Gardens of Cornwall and Great Gardens of Cornwall