Trewithen House and Gardens
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Trewithen Gardens, described as "perhaps the most beautiful woodland garden in England" are situated at Grampound, on the northern edge of the Roseland Penninsula, and near the town of Truro.
Georgian Trewithen House was begun in 1730 by Philip Hawkins, the building was designed by London architect Thomas Edwards, it was enlarged by Sir Robert Taylor from 1740.
Created by George Johnstone over 100 years ago and internationally renowned for its magnificent collection of rare trees and shrubs, Trewithen is a RHS recommended garden. The estate boasts 30 acres of surrounding woodland gardens and more than two thousand acres of surrounding parkland, In 2012, Trewithen received the accolade of becoming an International Camellia Garden of Excellence.
The Sycamore Avenue is one of the original parts of the garden, a spectacular array of Magnolias, Camellias, and Rhododendrons, Trewithen is one of the most important collections of rhododendrons in the country . Tree Ferns, Azaleas and Acers can also be found surrounding a sunken garden. There is also a wildflower meadow, woodland glades, exotic fern collections and tree top viewing platforms. Raised viewing platforms take visitors closer to the blooms, providing a rare opportunity to see over the floral canopy.
Many of the rare trees and plants found at trewithen have been grown from seed collected by plant-hunters' early missions, making it a historical garden as well as one rich in horticultural treasures.
The beautiful Magnolia Fountain, (pictured right) was created by Tom Leaper and constructed from granite and bronze, is regarded as a work of art. The Camera Obscura, the only one in Cornwall, is housed in a wooden hut high in the canopy of the trees. It is an unusual and fascinating device that projects an image from outside onto a table inside a darkened room.
Trewithen Nurseries produces some of the finest quality plants and shrubs in Cornwall, many of them grown from the original species introduced to the gardens. There is also a children's play area and tea rooms serving local Cornish produce.