As spring unfolds, these gardens come to life, revealing a mix of vibrant colour and sweet scents, while becoming a haven for our pollinators and wildlife. Brits love their gardens, with the average person thought to spend around 114 hours annually on their own garden at home. When it comes to visiting public gardens, though, it gives us a chance to unwind and escape into an entirely different world.

Trebah’s 26 acres of sub-tropical gardens lie just outside of Falmouth, bursting with vibrant colour with blooms such as rhododendron, magnolias and camelias unfurling in the spring. Towering trees, like Laureliopsis Philippiana and Trachycarpus Fortunei, transport visitors to other areas of the world - you may just forget that you’re standing right here in Cornwall. 

A highlight of the Trebah Garden experience is viewing the water garden. Built around a natural spring, visitors are in for a treat with the colourful species of plants that grow there, from Candelabra Primula in spring, to Arum Lilies and Ginger Lilies in summer. 

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In 1813, the garden is recorded as being a wooded valley - you can just imagine how it would have looked then, and the amount of work that has gone into it to create the striking landscape it is today. 

It was Charles and Sarah Fox, who purchased Trebah in 1838 and set about creating a pleasure garden. They remained there for 40 years, focusing on planting a great number of pines and oaks to protect the property against the rough elements. The Backhouse family inherited the estate in 1878, and were keen to establish more exotic plants and trees across the gardens, as well as creating pools and paths. 

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Trebah was purchased by Charles Hawkins and Alice Hext in 1907. Alice continued to expand the gardens, creating one of the most iconic areas of Trebah today, the Mallard Pond, a peaceful spot that looks out to the main house. 

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Major Tony Hibbert and Eira Hibbert purchased Trebah in the 1980s, continuing the upkeep of the gardens and opening Trebah up to the public for the first time. In 1990, Trebah Garden Trust took over the ownership of the gardens, with a view to educate the public and continue Trebah’s legacy in the gardening world. 

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For more information, visit https://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/visit-trebah/

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