HORTUS Goes to Cornwall: A Magnolia Spectacle

21 March 2022

The Cornish peninsula is famous for sheltered woodland gardens harbouring important collections of magnolias, as well as many other plant groups accompanied by carpets of wild flowers. Head south for the Cornish magnolia spectacle in an early spring tour led by HORTUS contributor Kirsty Fergusson, hosted by Charles Fox

Specialist advice at Caerhays Castle
Lunch with Charles and Caroline Fox at Glendurgan
Luxurious waterfront accommodation in St Mawes
Visit to Trewithen with head gardener Gary Long

Head south for the Cornish magnolia spectacle. The Cornish peninsula is famous for sheltered woodland gardens

harbouring important collections of magnolias, as well as camellias, rhododendrons, palms, tree ferns and many

other exotic plant groups that predominantly flower in the spring accompanied by carpets of wild spring flowers.

Most of these gardens are found to the south of the peninsula where valley gardens lead down to secluded creeks

warmed by the Gulf Stream. The wonder and magnificence of Cornish gardens is made possible by this unique

microclimate as well as by the prosperity of estates established in the seventeenth century, funded by local

tin-mining and porcelain production. This all coincided with the arrival in Britain of large quantities of exciting

new plant specimens collected by botanists travelling to far-flung regions of the world. To immerse yourself

in the splendour of these outstanding woodland collections, stout footwear and the capability to walk around

expansive valley gardens are required. We stay at Olga Polizzi’s renowned Tresanton Hotel, a haven of beauty

and peace where guests enjoy comfort, fresh local cuisine and traditional, unobtrusive service. All rooms have

dramatic views across the sea towards St Anthony’s lighthouse with the opportunity to stroll into light-filled St

Mawes, one of the prettiest fishing villages in Cornwall.

Day 1:
This morning we depart Bristol Parkway and travel to Cornwall by coach, or you could take the train to St Austell Rail Station to join the coach. Alternatively, if you wish to take your own car to the hotel will arrange for you to join the group at the first garden. Tregrehan has been the home to the Carlyon family since 1565. Jovey Carlyon’s passion for trees during the late nineteenth century is evident today. Tom Hudson, the latest family member to take on the gardens, is an equally gifted planstman: his collection of high-altitude Asian trees, including some very special magnolias, brought back from recent plant hunting expeditions, complement his cousin, Gillian Carlyon’s camellia collection and Jovey’s superb pinetum. After our visit we drive on to Tresanton Hotel where we have time to settle before dinner together, wine included.
Day 2:
Nothing quite prepares you for the loveliness of that springtime view of Caerhays Castle, comfortably enthroned between lakeside pasture in the foreground and a rising backcloth of a thousand trees, the canopy splashed with clouds of pink and cream magnolia blooms. We start the day at Caerhays Castle viewing one of the finest collections of magnolias in the country for a special walk with highly skilled head gardener Jaimie Parsons. J. C. Williams (great-grandfather of the present owner) and successive members of the family, assisted by their dedicated head gardeners, have had success at hybridising as well as collecting magnolias; Caerhays now holds a National Collection comprising more than eighty species and five-hundred named cultivars. A light lunch is included at nearby Bodrugan Barton Farm before we visit Burncoose Nurseries that offers a vast array of magnolias, several of which have been home bred. Return to Hotel Tresanton for a pre-dinner talk by Charles Fox before dining together in the hotel.
Day 3:
The Fox family started a successful shipping agency in Falmouth in the eighteenth century and established many important gardens in the region. We are delighted to have Charles Fox of Glendurgan to show us two of these outstanding gardens – to relate how they were initiated and developed by his family and to showcase their important collections of magnolias. Trebah has one of the most beautiful vistas of all Cornish gardens, down through the valley gardens to the Helford estuary. At Glendurgan we are invited to lunch at home with Charles and Caroline Fox before being shown their remarkable garden, first developed by Alfred Fox. Return to Hotel Tresanton where we dine together in the hotel.
Day 4:
Our final morning includes a special visit to Trewithen, where head gardener Gary Long will take us to the main lawn with its celebrated, intricately planted vista. We can then enjoy some free time to explore the garden by ourselves before journeying northwards for lunch at the Polgooth Inn. The coach then returns to St Austell and Bristol Parkway and we arrange for transfers back to the hotel for those who need to pick up cars.

Three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at Tresanton Hotel
Three evening meals with wine at the hotel plus three lunches
All transportation from Bristol Parkway or St Austell Railway Stations
Private coach transfers and excursions
Guided visits to sites listed in the programme
Services of the Leader and Tour Host
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes and gratuities for coach driver

Charles Fox

Charles Fox comes from a long line of gardeners who have been responsible for the creation of at least three remarkable Cornish gardens: Penjerrick, Trebah and Glendurgan. In the early 1990s Charles qualified twice as a garden designer, at Kew Gardens with Merit, and at the Inchbald School of Garden Design with Distinction. Since that time he has led many garden tours in the south west, and having lived in Cornwall most of his life is also well qualified to talk about the county's history. He has written one book about Glendurgan, the property where he and his family now live, and which was given to the National Trust in 1962, called Glendurgan, A personal memoir of a garden in Cornwall; and in 2019 On The Brink was published: his book on the history of the Fox family businesses over a period of 300 years. Charles is also a professional artist www.charlesfoxcornwall.com and in his spare time enjoys writing poems, two volumes of which have been printed.

He and his wife run a small but exclusive bed and breakfast business: https://www.sawdays.co.uk/

Kirsty Fergusson

Kirsty exchanged a career in academia (she is a PhD specialising in French philosopher-novelists) for a life in gardening. Trained at Capel Manor, she was head gardener at Mapperton in Dorset during the early nineties, where a series of fortunate encounters opened the door to garden writing. As well as writing a weekly column for The Express, for many years she was a frequent contributor to Gardens Illustrated, House and Garden, Country Life, The Times, The Telegraph and The Independent. In 2003 she moved to SW France, where she continues to explore the possibilities of her own (very forgiving) garden - when not travelling, writing or leading tours.

Join us at our hotel in the UK

Picture of - Join us at our hotel in the UK

Make your own travel arrangements at your convenience to join your selected holiday. Simply arrive at the hotel and our Tour Manager will be there to greet you.

If you require any further information to assist with your travel plans, please contact our Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help.

Parking is available at our hotel for those wishing to drive.

Overview

Comprised of a cluster of white-washed cottages, this former yachting club enjoys spectacular sea views, which are matched by tastefully eclectic interiors decorated in soothing coastal tones. Situated on the edge of charming St Mawes, facilities include a cosy bar and games room, elegant beach club and a celebrated restaurant.