Neon Jungle Roller Rink Now Open at the Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan’s new rollerskate rink, Neon Jungle, opened on Friday evening, with the first images of the new skate venue released at the same time.

Skaters from Cornwall Roller Derby were given the chance to preview Neon Jungle on Thursday and became the first people to experience the retrofuturist, neon-tinged vision of Heligan’s iconic Jungle garden.

When it’s open and what it costs

The undercover rink will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 29th March, with midweek opening during February half-term. It is also available for birthday parties, educational visits and as part of event-hire packages.

A 45-minute session costs £10 per person, with skate hire priced at £3 extra for those who do not have their own skates. Garden admission is not required to skate. Pre-booking is recommended and can be made through heligan.com/neonjungle.

A retro soundtrack and an eighties themed pop-up café

The rink’s design has been inspired by the restoration of the Lost Gardens and is intended to evoke feelings of lostness and the spirit of adventure. Skaters are accompanied by a curated playlist of retro hits and future classics.

Continuing the retro theme, the rink has its own pop-up café serving crumpets with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings, each named after an iconic eighties film, as well as a selection of warming winter drinks.

A special for the opening weekend, “Chariots of Fire”, a crumpet topped with cream cheese and red chilli jam, joins the menu after being chosen from a social media competition.

David Harland, chief executive of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Cornwall Roller Derby skaters to preview Neon Jungle before we open to the public this weekend. The coming weeks and months will see skaters and crumpet connoisseurs come together in a fusion of fun and nostalgia that is unique to Heligan.”

More events coming to Heligan

Neon Jungle is described as the beginning of a year of activities and events at Heligan designed to promote wellbeing, wild connections and the rediscovery of lost games and activities.

The immersive light installation Submergence, one of the highlights of the recent Night Garden event, will have an extended residency at Heligan until 1st February, with later opening available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to enable visitors to enjoy it in darkness.

Also starting soon is Cornwall’s newest parkrun, a weekly 5-kilometre walk, jog and run taking place at Heligan on Saturday mornings.

In February half-term, Heligan’s Home Farm will invite visitors behind the scenes for a series of immersive animal experiences.

Free Range Pricing on garden admission

Until the end of February, Heligan is offering Free Range Pricing on garden admission, meaning visitors can set their own price for entry to the gardens.