The Lost Gardens of Heligan Makes History as England’s First B Corp Certified Garden

The Lost Gardens of Heligan has become the first visitor garden in England to achieve the prestigious B Corp certification, recognising its commitment to prioritising people and the planet above profit. Located on a 200-acre estate near Mevagissey on Cornwall’s south coast, Heligan is renowned for its rich biodiversity, historic gardens, and unique natural habitats.

What Is B Corp Certification?

B Corp certification is a global movement that holds businesses to high social and environmental standards. The certification process evaluates companies in five key impact areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. Over the past 18 months, Heligan has undergone this rigorous assessment, achieving a B Impact score of 91.3—exceeding the average for UK businesses of its size in the tourism sector. Heligan now joins a network of nearly 9,000 certified B Corps worldwide.

Conservation Efforts at Heligan

Heligan has been a pioneer in sustainability and conservation, taking significant steps to enhance local biodiversity. Key achievements include the introduction of glow-worms, water voles, and a beaver reintroduction project, all of which play a crucial role in raising awareness about conservation.

In addition, Heligan prioritises education through its partnerships with universities and research projects focused on regenerative grazing and soil health. As the only rare breed farm park in the southwest, Heligan also leads a conservation breeding programme to protect native livestock species.

Community Engagement and Inclusivity

Heligan is deeply rooted in the local community, offering employment to over 100 staff members, all of whom are paid the living wage with no gender pay gap. The estate is home to a Cub and Scout group established in 2022, allowing children to explore the rich environment while developing leadership skills.

Inclusivity is a priority, with Heligan offering relaxed sessions as part of its events programme. Each year, a local charity is chosen for a fundraising initiative to support and raise awareness within the community.

Looking Ahead: Heligan’s Vision for the Future

The B Corp certification comes hot on the heels of Heligan’s success in last year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards, where it was recognised as a wildlife-friendly business. The estate is now moving forward with ambitious plans to build an educational centre—The Heligan Learning Seed Pod. This new hub will help Heligan become a leader in agricultural and horticultural education, further enhancing its role in Cornwall’s environmental landscape.

Heligan’s Managing Director, Laura Chesterfield, expressed pride in the certification, stating: “At Heligan, we believe in a world where everybody understands their relationship with nature. The B Corp certification process has spurred us to dive even deeper, and while the journey has been challenging at times, it has been incredibly rewarding.”

For Sir Tim Smit, founder of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the certification marks a turning point: “Heligan is rightly proud to have become a B Corp. This is a profound cultural change to embed what we know to be right in our actions. Congratulations to all.”

As part of the achievement, Gillyflower Farm, located in Lostwithiel and part of the Heligan family, has also been recognised with B Corp certification for its groundbreaking work in agriculture.

To learn more, visit heligan.com and gillyflowerfarm.com.

Photo: The Lost Gardens of Heligan Team