And what better way to spend a Sunday throughout the spring, summer and early autumn than visiting some beautiful gardens. The Trust’s Open Gardens event raises vital funds for the Trust’s conservation work protecting Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places. The gardens range from grand affairs to smaller more intimate green spaces, but they all have the common theme of providing a haven for Cornish wildlife.

Chris Betty, Communications Officer for the Trust says,

“Our 2016 Open Gardens scheme raised a record breaking £12,400 and we are looking to do even better this year. Stay In Cornwall, holiday accommodation providers are our overall sponsor with invaluable support from Rodda’s, Crantock Bakery and Cornish Coffee, who are providing cream teas, pasties, and beverages. The Trust has a very personal approach to these events. A group of our brilliant volunteers organise everything, leaving the owners free on the day to chat to visitors and inspire them as to how they can use what they see in their own gardens.”

With various activities and special appearances from wildlife groups, these are events that all the family can enjoy, even the dog, except where specially excluded due to wildlife. One spring garden even has a pentaque pitch!

Mark Nicholson, Chairman of Trustees for Cornwall Wildlife Trust says,

“The Trust's varied programme of events gives endless opportunities for everyone to find out about Cornwall's unique nature. Through the Open Gardens scheme, the organisers and owners offer a beautifully simple way for people to enjoy that nature and contribute to safeguarding its future.”

Gardens opening this year on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm unless otherwise stated are –

April 2nd Trewornan Manor, Trewornan Bridge, St. Minver, Wadebridge PL27 6EX
Trewornan Manor occupies a private setting close to the Camel Estuary. Dating back to the 13th century, the house sits in 25 acres, with over 8 acres of mature gardens, historic water meadows along the River Amble and extensive farm land.

April 9th Pedn Billy, Bar Road, Helford Passage TR11 5LF
This stunning garden boasts wild flower areas, beautiful specimen trees and terraced borders. Half of the 12 acres is ancient woodlands with paths that wind down to Port Navas Creek and Helford River to its own private beach.

May 7th Coldrenick House, Menheniot, Liskeard PL14 3RQ
This historic garden dates back to the mid-18th century and includes a walled garden, Victorian shrubbery, meadowland, an enchanting bluebell wood which should be stunning at this time of the year. Magnolias, camellias and bamboos all do well here and there is a beautiful wooded area to take a stroll around.

May 14th Restineas Cottage, Garker, St. Austell PL26 8YA
Restineas Cottage on the site of an old mine has been developed to now incorporate various features designed to attract wildlife. There is a goose orchard, wild flower meadow, petanque pitch (bring your own balls and have a game!), a willow circle, a polytunnel with grape vine, vegetable plot, chicken run, wildlife pond and mini woodland walks.

June 18th Lethytep, Penadlake, Lanreath PL13 2PG 11am to 4.30pm
This spectacular 52 acre garden is an established favourite and is literally a giant playground for Cornish wildlife with woodland, meadows, lakes and ponds. Lethytep is particularly renowned for butterflies, dragonflies and wild flowers.

July 2nd Meadowside, Trevarth, near Redruth TR16 6AE
A 6 acre smallholding which is managed with wildlife in mind. There is a large vegetable garden, a wildflower meadow with many southern marsh orchids, 2 large productive poly tunnels, an orchard, fruit cage, and a walled garden with herbaceous and shrub borders and a south facing gravel garden all planted to attract pollinators. Hedgehogs are often seen, along with many rabbits and the odd fox, and there are sheep, pigs, hens, turkeys and bee hives. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

July 23rd Trenarth, High Cross, Constantine TR11 5JN
The four acre gardens surround the 17th granite farmhouse with its central courtyard, and wonderful, far reaching pastoral views. There are many unusual and tender plants within the listed garden walls, and many quirky features such as the toilet in a telephone box. The site is a maternity roost of lesser horseshoe bats, as featured on BBC 2. There is a trail for the children and quizzes with prizes.

August 20th Bolts Quarry Farm, Penvorder Lane, St. Breward, Bodmin PL30 4NY
Over the past 19 years the gardens have evolved and there is now a Pond and Bog Garden, Quarry Garden and Wildlife Area, a Shrub area under planted with Pheasant Eye daffodils, a two acre, granite strewn, hillside broadleaf plantation and a circular walk and granite spoil heap, a Mowhay 'Rock' Garden planted with flowers and shrubs and a front garden with perennial planted borders.

September 3rd Carminowe Valley Garden, Tangies, Helston TR12 7PU
This abundant wildlife garden nestles on the side of Carminowe Valley in deep oak woodland. It is a garden a-buzz with butterflies and insects. Signs of otters have been seen in the stream that runs through the garden, which includes a wild flower meadow, shrubberies, an orchard, nectar beds and cutting garden.

September 10th Tanglewood Wild Garden, Newbridge, Penzance TR20 8PL 11am to 4pm
This is a wonderful wild garden with winding uneven paths through the woodland. There are deep water ponds, fascinating sculptures and natural surroundings. There is plenty of room for children to play and enjoy family picnics and as an added attraction a campfire will be used for hot drinks.

Entrance to all gardens is £5 per adult unless stated otherwise with under 16s free. For further details and directions please visit cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/opengardens, or call 01872 273939.