Budock, Falmouth, TR11 5ED
Tel: (01872) 870105
Email: otternox@gmail.com
Web: www.penjerrickgarden.co.uk
Cornwall's True Jungle Garden
Penjerrick Garden is situated about three miles south-west of Falmouth. Penjerrick is an un-commercialised ten acre garden, between Budock Water and Mawnan Smith. Gumboots are advised. The garden is at its best at the end of April.
Penjerrick gardens surround the house owned by the Fox Family. The ten acre property was bought by Robert Were Fox (1789-1877), an English geologist and natural philosopher. A mining expert, Robert naturalised over 300 species of plants. He married Maria Barclay and had three children: Anna Maria, Barclay and Caroline. The Fox family were also responsible for the gardens at Glendurgan (brother Alfred Fox) and Trebah (brother Charles Fox).
His son Barclay Fox continued his father's work. It was Barclay Fox who enlarged the existing cottages to make a house and, in the 1840's he developed the gardens around it. The extensive collection of sub-tropical trees and shrubs includes original early hybrid rhododendrons, crossed by Barclay Fox and by Mr Smith, one of his head gardeners.
A century later, and this house had become derelict. Waldo Trench Fox demolished it and built the present slate-hung house in 1935.
Janet M.K. Fox wanted to leave Penjerrick to the National Trust, but was unable to leave a large enough endowment, and the National Trust had to refuse the bequest. The garden is now owned by her daughter Mrs. Rachel Morin.
You enter the garden by an iron gate at the end of a short drive. There is no ticket office, just a single honesty box on the way round.
The Upper Garden features rhododendrons, tree ferns, magnolias, camellias and some magnificent trees and shrubs. From the top lawn, you have a good view of the sea. Among the magnificent trees established here is the second largest beech in England.
A wooden bridge leads to a subtropical valley with ponds and bamboos in a jungle setting. In this valley are four ponds and tree ferns which date back to the original planting of the garden.
Two miles south-west of Falmouth.
Opening TimesMarch - September Admission Charged |
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