On Sunday, July 2nd it will also welcome ‘human visitors’ when it opens its gates to the public for the first time in aid of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, as part of the Trust’s Open Gardens event.

The smallholding includes a large vegetable garden, two highly productive poly tunnels, an orchard, a fruit cage, and a glorious wildflower meadow with many southern marsh orchids. A walled garden has herbaceous and a shrub border, all planted to attract pollinators, as is the south facing gravel garden. As well as the wildlife, there are sheep, pigs, hens, turkeys and bee hives as well as an impressive array of vegetables grown in the garden.

Admission to the garden is from 2.00pm to 5.00pm, £5 per adult, with under 16s free. Pasties, cream teas, and beverages will be provided by Crantocks Bakery, Roddas and Cornish Coffee. The scheme now has an overall sponsor with Cornwall tourism company Stayincornwall.co.uk

Dogs are welcomed to Meadowside on leads. Toilet facilities will be available but are unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Chris Betty, Communications Officer for the Trust, says,

“Meadowside is a new garden opening for the Trust, and for anyone who has yearned to run a small holding then this is the one to visit, particularly to see the vegetable areas.”

This will be the sixth year the Trust has run their Open Gardens fundraising scheme which has grown year on year and provides much-needed funds to protect the wildlife and wild places of Cornwall.

Other gardens opening for the Trust this year are: July 23rd Trenarth, High Cross, Constantine near Falmouth, August 20th Bolts Quarry Farm, at St. Breward near Bodmin, September 3rd Mazey Cottage, Tangies, Helston, and September 10th Tanglewood Wild Garden, Newbridge, Penzance

More details can be found at www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/opengardens