Glendurgan Garden, Mawnan Smith, Cornwall

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Details

Accessibility

2025-

Disability Parking

Disability Toilet

Purple route is step free with some steep sections.

Braille

Drop-off point

Induction loop

Large print 

Level access to food outlet 

One Countryside Mobility Tramper available to hire for use in the garden, please call 01326 252020 to book, or email glendurgan@nationaltrust.org.uk

Benches throughout the garden.

Some Steps and uneven terrain 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/glendurgan-garden

Brief description

2025-

"Glendurgan Garden was described by its creators, the Quakers Alfred and Sarah Fox, as a 'small peace [sic] of heaven on earth'. 

There are three valleys of Glendurgan to lose yourself in - full of amazing plants. Sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks, and plants with big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the subtropical lower valley. In Spring, an abundance of wildflowers fill the sloping sides of the valley.

Wandering through the garden leads you down to the unspoilt hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River. 

Walking up from Durgan you can find a boat seat, a gigantic tulip tree and ponds teeming with wildlife. You can also learn about the Fox family who created this valley of adventure. 

The maze has been foxing people for over 200 years. Who will be first to reach the middle of the living puzzle?"

Address

Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5JZ

Email

2025-

glendurgan@nationaltrust.org.uk

Phone

2025-

01326252020

Website

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glendurgan-garden

Directions

By Road:

From Truro/East Take the A39 to Falmouth as far as junction with A394 at Treliever Cross Roundabout, and then follow brown and white tourism signs to Glendurgan Garden. From Helston/West Take the A394 to Falmouth as far as junction with A39 at Treliever Cross Roundabout. Turn right and follow brown and white tourism signs to Glendurgan Garden. Please note if using Sat nav from Helston it may take you on scenic back roads via Gweek, Constantine and Port Navas. These roads are very narrow so check the settings on your sat nav if you’d like to avoid this type of driving.

Parking: Our car park will be locked at 5pm every day. All-day parking is £4 per vehicle or £2 for two hours. Parking free for National Trust members.
Sat Nav: Sat nav postcode TR11 5JZ. If follwing sat nav directions please use the National Trust main entrance, not the entrance to the private house.

On foot: 
Take the Southwest coastal footpath from Falmouth (starting at the seafront at Gyllyngvase beach) to Durgan village. You can enter the bottom of the garden from the village. Total Distance 5.9 miles (9.5 kilometres). Time: 2 hours 30 minutes approximately.

Opening Times and Admission Prices

2025-

For up-to-date opening times see: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/glendurgan-garden

Admission Prices:

Adult (18+) - With Gift Aid - £14.30  Without Gift Aid - £13.00

Child (5-17) under 5s free - With Gift Aid - £7.20 Without Gift Aid - £6.50

Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) - With Gift Aid - £35.80 Without Gift Aid - £32.50

One Adult Family - With Gift Aid - £21.50 Without Gift Aid - £19.50

Group (Adult 18+) - £12.35

Group (Child 5-17) - £6.18

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

2025: By Train:

The nearest stations are Penmere and Falmouth Town on the Maritime Branch Line from Truro. Trains run every 30 minutes on weekdays, the journey from Truro taking about 20 minutes. Buses 35 and 63 run from Falmouth Moor to Glendurgan Garden. Together, the bus routes provide an hourly service Monday to Saturday, with some variations to the timetable on school days. Sorry, no buses on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Buses stop at Glendurgan Garden's entrance.

By Bus:

Buses 35 and 63 run from Falmouth Moor to Glendurgan Garden. Together, the bus routes provide an hourly service Monday to Saturday, with some variations to the timetable on school days. Sorry, no buses on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Buses stop at Glendurgan Garden's entrance. The bus service is operated by OTS as part of the Go Cornwall Transport for Cornwall Network.

Amenities

2025-

Baby Changing Facilities

Parking - Free entry for National Trust members. We are operating pay and display in our car park where charges will apply for non-members. All-day parking is £5 per vehicle or £2.50 for four hours. 

Book shop

Dogs welcome in the garden on short fixed leads. Assistance dogs only in the maze, orchard and Schoolroom.

Family friendly 

Picnic Area
Tea Room 
Toilets 
Garden - A beautiful, distinctive and intriguing collection of horticultural specimens interspersed with wildflower meadows.
Maze - The cherry laurel maze is based on a design taken from the Sydney Gardens in Bath by Alfred Fox and planted in 1833.
Durgan Beach - A small pebbly sheltered beach on the banks of the Helford River connected to the South West Coast Path.
Giant's Stride - With many children to entertain, the Fox family installed a simple yet enjoyable rotating rope swing.
Schoolroom - This is a recreation of the first school opened by Alfred and Sarah Fox in 1829 and where, for more than 15 years, local children including some of the couple’s 12 sons and daughters attended lessons.
Apple shed - Tucked away en route to the Schoolroom sits the olive grove, apple orchard and Apple Shed, full of nature-based activities.

Travel Information

For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info

Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)