Trengwainton Garden Reopens Further Areas After Storm Damage

Visitors are being welcomed back to more areas of Trengwainton Garden near Penzance, as recovery work continues following severe damage caused by Storm Goretti earlier this year.

In January, winds of over 90mph tore through West Cornwall, uprooting around 150 trees at the garden and leaving many more unstable. Since then, staff, volunteers and specialist contractors have been working to make the site safe while protecting its rare and historic plant collection.

More Areas Reopen

In a significant step forward, several popular parts of the garden have now reopened. Visitors can explore the Jubilee Garden, William Walk and the Lower Tree Fern Glade, all part of a well-known woodland route.

These areas join others that had already reopened, including the walled gardens, Camellia Walk and the orchard.

📷Visitors exploring Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

Rare Plant Collection Largely Saved

Despite the scale of the damage, around 90% of Trengwainton’s internationally important plant collection has survived.

The garden is graded II* for its exceptional collection, which has been developed over generations. It includes species first introduced to Britain following plant-collecting expeditions in the early 20th century. Today, plants from across the world continue to thrive in its mild and sheltered microclimate.

📷Visitors exploring Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

‘A Really Positive Moment’

Marina Rule, Visitor Experience Officer for the National Trust at Trengwainton, said:

“What’s been achieved here over the past few months is incredible. The storm caused significant damage, and the safety of our visitors and team has had to come first, but thanks to a huge collective effort we’re now able to welcome people back to more of the garden.

“We know Trengwainton wasn’t alone; so many people, businesses and communities across Cornwall were affected by Storm Goretti, and we’ve all been navigating the impact of that together.

“To see these paths reopening, especially the lower woodland walk that so many people love, feels really special. And the fact that the vast majority of our plant collection has come through the storm is something we’re incredibly grateful for.

“There’s still a long way to go, but this is a really positive moment for Trengwainton and for everyone who cares about it.”

📷Magnolia tree in flower at Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

Recovery Work Ongoing

Work is still continuing across the garden, with teams carefully planning how to remove fallen trees without damaging fragile and rare plants.

Some areas remain restricted, and visitors may notice occasional closures during high winds as safety remains a priority while the landscape stabilises.

As a charity, the National Trust relies on support from visitors, members and supporters. Income raised helps fund recovery work, protect plant collections and maintain places like Trengwainton for the future.

📷Summer at Trengwainton, August 2023

Easter Activities and Spring Return

With the Easter holidays approaching, families can take part in a seasonal spring trail designed to help children explore and learn more about nature as they follow clues around the garden.

As spring brings colour back and more routes reopen, visitors are once again able to explore and experience a landscape recovering after one of the most severe storms in recent years.

For more information, visit the National Trust Trengwainton Garden page.

📷Summer at Trengwainton, August 2023

📷West Cornwall Lead Ranger Simon Hocking © National Trust Images

📷Visitors exploring Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

📷Picnic at Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

📷Trengwainton, the azalea garden

📷Exotic trees and shrubs at Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

📷© National Trust Images Sarah Elmes

📷Dog walk at Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall

📷© National Trust Images Roy Horton

📷© National Trust Images Sarah Elmes