Held as part of the Trust’s 60^th anniversary celebrations, the season’s ten events attracted over 3,000 visitors from across Cornwall and beyond, with gardens in Liskeard, Redruth, Helston and Helford Passage opening their gates to guests.

The series showcases some of Cornwall’s best wildlife-friendly gardens to members of the public. With a common theme of providing a home for wildlife, the gardens range from vast wildflower meadows to ancient woodlands and all offer exciting and innovative approaches to wildlife gardening.

This year saw supporters’ favourite Cornish gardens open once again, with a superb end-of-season event at Trenarth – the Trust’s longest-standing garden, having raised a total of £11,000 for the charity since it first opened in 2011.

Bochym Manor, one of two new additions to the programme this year, saw the highest guest attendance, with nearly 800 visitors enjoying the summer sunshine while wandering around the historical property. A special Father’s Day event was also held at Lethytep, near Lanreath, with family-friendly activities such as pond dipping encouraging Cornwall’s youngest residents to connect with nature.

Esme Plunkett from Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: “This record-breaking season is a great achievement for the Trust and the Open Gardens team. The gardens have brought so much enjoyment to thousands of visitors who don’t usually get to see these hidden gems.”

Rebecca David, Open Gardens volunteer coordinator for Cornwall Wildlife Trust and owner of Meadowside garden, said: "What an amazing, unprecedented season. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of a great team organising the Open Gardens scheme. We have a brilliant group of volunteers who give up their Sundays, bake cakes and grow plants for sale – all in aid of Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places. See you all next year!”

Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Open Gardens programme, ran by the charity for the last 11 years, has raised a total of £140,000, which the Trust says is only possible thanks to the support of volunteers, garden owners and the thousands of people who have spent their Sundays attending the events.

Esme added: “This programme is organised and run by an incredible volunteer team who we’d like to say a massive thank you to. We’re also extremely grateful to the garden owners for their willingness to be involved, to those of you that attend these events, to The Garker Street Band for their performances and, of course, our sponsors St Eval, Cornish Orchards, Roddas and Cornico for their generosity in supporting the scheme.

“All in all, we’ve had a very successful season and we hope for another record year in 2023.”

Cornwall Wildlife Trust want to build on the success of this year’s events and are now looking for additional gardens and volunteers for 2023.

For more information on helping Cornwall Wildlife Trust as a volunteer or opening your garden as part of the scheme, visit our Open Gardens webpage.

Learn more about Open Gardens