Enys Garden
OS grid reference -
Said to be one of the oldest gardens in Cornwall, tranquil Enys Garden (above left), situated on the northern outskirts of the town of Penryn is a delightful 30 acre garden, features of interest include an open meadow known as Parc Lye (pictured left) , where the spring bluebells are spectacular, the flower garden, which is gradually being restored to its former glory, a New Zealand garden and many woodland areas.
The Enys family have held the estate since medieval times, Robert de Enys occupied the estate during the reign of King Edward I (1239 – 1307), and in 1709, Camden's Magna Britannia remarked upon Enys' fine gardens. The designs on which the garden is based today were produced in 1833, by a London architect, Henry Harrison.
John Davies Enys, a keen amateur naturalist, sourced many of the species found in the formal gardens on his trips to New Zealand and Patagonia, and as a result the varieties are quite diverse. The garden also boasts a fine collection of rare bamboos, and the frost-free Cornish climate has enabled many tender plants and trees to flourish. One of the most important of these is the Peruvian Laurel - one of very few specimens that can be found growing in England today. There is also a striking Maiden Hair Fern tree, which is thought to be the tallest of its type to be found outside of Kew Gardens.
The Enys Trust was formed in 2002 as a charity in order to secure the long term future of the garden at Enys, and to open the garden to the public. In 2013 the house was opened to the public for the first time With so much to explore, from the water wheel and lakes in the lower valley, to the parkland of bluebells in spring, it comes as no surprise that the scenery here has been much photographed over the years. Enys makes a wonderful garden for walkers, and is also dog friendly.
The Enys history room contains a family tree tracing the Enys family from the present day back to Norman times. There is also information on the development of the gardens and the history of the house.
Enys House itself is open to the public during the weekends of the Art Exhibition and the craft fair.
Directions
Travelling from Truro-
From the A39 take the second left turn after the Norway Inn, signposted to Flushing, Restronguet and Mylor, and then the first right following the local sign for Enys Gardens. Carry straight on for approximately 1.1 miles until you reach Enys Lodge on the left, enter the gardens here.
Travelling from Redruth or Penryn/Falmouth-
Take the B3292 Commercial Road and turn off this up Truro Hill. Continue past Bellevue Cottages until you reach Enys Lodge on the right, enter the gardens here.