Trevince Estate to Host Gardening Talks and Open Gardens This Season

Plant lovers, curious visitors and even canine companions are being invited to explore the evolving gardens at Trevince Estate in Gwennap, as a new season of expert-led talks gets underway.

Set in Cornwall’s historic mining district, the estate is opening its gardens on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 10am to 4pm until 27th September. Owners Richard Stone and Trish Stone are encouraging visitors to see how the landscape is changing under their care.

Alongside garden access, a series of talks and demonstrations from horticultural experts will take place throughout the season, offering practical advice and insights into gardening for the future.

📷Dr Morgan Morrison - Image Credit Dr Morgan Morrison

Expert Talks Begin This April

The first talk takes place on Friday 24th April at 2pm, led by Dr Morgan Morrison. Dr Morgan Morrison is a pollinator conservation researcher at the University of Exeter and will focus on Pollinator Identification for Gardeners.

Her work explores how diseases and pesticides affect pollinators, as well as how gardens and urban spaces can support conservation. At Trevince, she will guide visitors through identifying common pollinator groups, with a hands-on session planned if weather allows.

The session aims to help people recognise species and support biodiversity in their own gardens.

📷Duana Pearson - Image Credit Phillippa Horton

Growing Food and Beauty

On Friday 8th May at 2pm, Duana Pearson will host a session titled Beautiful Edibles.

Duana Pearson, a professional horticulturist with more than 15 years’ experience, has worked at several well-known Cornish locations including the National Trust, the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Her workshop will cover practical fruit and vegetable growing, alongside a look at the history of productive gardens and how to view them with an artistic perspective.

📷Katie McBride - Image Credit Katie McBride

Supporting Pollinators

Later in the month, on Sunday 24th May at 2pm, Katie McBride will present Planting for Pollinators.

Katie McBride has 14 years of horticultural experience and has worked across floristry, education and garden displays. She trained through the Eden Project’s apprenticeship scheme and later joined its outdoor garden team, where she managed the pollination exhibit for six years.

She now teaches the RHS Level 2 Principles of Plant Growth and Development course and will share her knowledge on sustainable gardening, biodiversity and creating habitats for pollinators.

Additional Talks from Trevince Team

Head Gardener Colin Skelly will also deliver sessions included in the standard garden entry price. These include Trees of Trevince on Saturday 18th April and Propagation – Softwood Cuttings on Saturday 16th May, both at 2pm.

📷Colin Skelly - Image Credit Trish Stone

Tickets and Visitor Information

The main talks are priced at £15, which includes entry to the gardens beforehand. Places are limited to 20 per session, and tickets can be purchased on site at the Cart Shed Café.

Garden entry alone costs £10, with visitors able to enjoy the estate and its facilities, including home-made treats available at the café.

Richard Stone said: “Trevince not only offers an outdoor sanctuary to connect with nature and boost wellbeing, but also provides an opportunity to learn from local experts how to garden more productively by attracting pollinators, creating habitats and growing crops. We hope that garden lovers from across Cornwall will also join us to experience the colours, scents and sounds of the changing seasons, find out how we are gardening for food, fun and the future, and share our vision for this enduring place.”

More information about the estate and its events can be found on the official website: https://www.trevince.co.uk