Jungle Giants Safari Returns to The Lost Gardens of Heligan This Summer

Victorian Plant-Hunting Adventure Returns to Cornwall

The Jungle Giants Safari is making a comeback at The Lost Gardens of Heligan this summer, offering families the chance to become plant-hunters and adventurers in one of Cornwall’s most unique landscapes.

Running from Friday 19th July to Tuesday 2nd September, the event invites visitors to explore Heligan’s lush jungle, inspired by the daring botanical expeditions of the Victorian era.

Pick Up Your Passport and Start the Hunt

From the moment they arrive, explorers will receive a special souvenir passport and set off on a trail through Heligan’s sub-tropical garden. Along the route, they’ll uncover a collection of extraordinary plants from across the globe, including the Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) and gunnera (Gunnera x cryptica).

Guests will learn about the plants’ origins, the environments they came from, and the lasting impact of the plant-hunting boom—both positive and negative. The experience aims to shine a light on the history behind the plants that now shape many British gardens.

Create a Bracelet from Your Botanical Finds

Adventurers can gather coloured beads—representing seeds—from selected plants on the trail and use them to make their own bracelet after completing the safari.

End the Day With a Bounce

The final stop on the journey is the Heligan Play Meadow, Cornwall’s largest outdoor playground and home to the only jumping pillow in the South West. Spanning nearly 15,000m², it’s a place to climb, bounce, and slide to your heart’s content—something the Victorian botanists certainly didn’t have.

Families can also get hands-on with den-building, using a mix of materials to construct shelters together in the great outdoors.

‘We Can’t Wait to Share These Incredible Stories’

Laura Smit-Chesterfield, Managing Director of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, said:
“We are delighted to be bringing Jungle Giants Safari back to Heligan this summer, with the added excitement of becoming a plant hunter and building a den – a perennial Heligan favourite and something the whole family can team up to do.
The results of Victorian plant hunting expeditions surround us at The Lost Gardens of Heligan and we can’t wait to share the incredible stories of these brave botanists with our visitors and give them the chance to step into their well-worn boots.
Summer is a wonderful time to visit Heligan, the gardens and estate are flushed with colour and everything is buzzing with life. Come and see our 10 acres of wildflower meadows for vibrant summer feast for the senses!”

A Deeper Look at the Botanical Landscape

According to the National Trust, around 75% of garden plants in the UK are not native. Heligan is among the many historic gardens shaped by the Victorian passion for exotic flora—though it’s worth noting that many plant-hunting missions of the past were driven by commercial interests and imperial ambitions, often without permission from the places the plants came from.

Everything Included in Your Ticket

All Jungle Giants Safari activities—including the play meadow and den-building—are included in the cost of general admission.

Relaxed sessions will take place from 9am to 10.30am on 28th July, 11th August, 18th August, and 26th August, for those who prefer a quieter experience.

For tickets, full details and opening hours, visit www.heligan.com.