Mawnan Smith

Just to the west of this pretty village, which overlooks the River Helford, are the National Trust gardens of Glendurgan. This valley garden of great beauty was created in the 1820s and developed over many years by the Fox family, and includes many exotic trees and shrubs, and spring displays of magnolias and camellias. In their season glorious displays of wild flowers carpet the valley slopes. The famous Heade Maze, created in 1833 from laurels, and the Giant’s Stride - a maypole - are two features that are particularly popular with younger visitors to this beautiful and secluded garden.

Carwinion, also near Mawnan Smith, is an 18th century manor house set in 12 acres of Victorian gardens overlooking the Helford estuary, which today offers traditional bed and breakfast and Cornish fare.