Discover more at Cotehele
Find out when Cotehele is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Festival of Blossom
Experience the beauty of blossom at Cotehele this spring as our orchards are brimming with blossom and buzzing with pollinators. This year we're celebrating with a special program of blossom themed events and activities across the entire Tamar Valley and Plymouth.
What is the Festival of Blossom?
'Blossom' simply means flowers on a tree - typically conspicious flowers in springtime that develop into nuts, seeds, or berries later in the autumn.
The Festival of Blossom
This year we're inviting everyone to notice blossom and celebrate it through connections to nature and each other.
Throughout April and May, a number of events are happening across Cotehele, the Tamar Valley and Plymouth to celebrate all things blossom.
We thank the players of People's Postcode Lottery for the funding to support the National Trust Festival of Blossom.
The Festival of Blossom at Cotehele
Gwel an Bleujenn (View of the blossom)
Saturday 26 April, 2 - 3pm. Meet outside Visitor Reception at Cotehele. Normal admission charges apply.
Join us as we process through the blossom, giving thanks to the follows and the promise of the fruit that will follow.
Enjoy music by community musicians, poetry, dance and a group sing-a-long. Dancing and costumes encouraged.
Some of our partners for Festival of Blossom, including Green Communities, Tamara Landscape Partnership, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and Tamar Grow Local will also be bringing creative activities and information on the day.
Blossom BioBlitz
Sunday 27 April, 11am-4pm. Meet at the Mother Orchard at Cotehele. Normal admission charges apply.
Take a closer look at the mother orchard with staff and students from the University of Plymouth. See how much wildlife you can spot, uncover a hidden world of amazing orchard wildlife and help us build a picture of this amazing habitat.
Guided Blossom Walk & Talk in the Tamar Valley and Cotehele
Tuesday 29 April, 10am-4pm. Meet at Plymouth Station to catch the 10:28 train to Calstock, Free event, however train fares do apply, booking essential.
Join Plymouth horticultural expert Tess Wilmott, and Cotehele's Head Garder Dave Bouch, on a blossom walk in the Tamar Valley and to explore the Mother Orchard at Cotehele.
The day starts at Plymouth Station where you'll catch the 10:28 train to Calstock with Tess, or you can meet at Calstock Station at 11:01. You'll then walk to Cotehele and picnic in the Old Orchard, before being joined by Dave in the Mother Orchard to learn about how the blossoming trees came to Cotehele, and their significance to the Tamar Valley.
Meet the Maker
Friday 2 May, 11am-3pm. In the Mother Orchard at Cotehele, normal admission charges apply.
Come and meet some lovely local makers, who supply Cotehele's shop, up in the Mother Orchard. Try some tasters, grab some samples and perhaps treat yourself to a local treat - all whilst being surrounded by the beautiful blossom.
Natalie Toms: Bleujenn
Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 May, 12noon-4pm. Within the Victorian Drawing Room at Cotehele. Normal admission charges apply.
'Bleujenn,' Cornish for 'blossom,' explores the beauty and interconnectedness of spring flowers and the wildlife they sustain. Focusing on apple, cherry, blackthorn, and pear, Toms celebrates the fragile yet vital relationship between these blooms and the creatures that rely on them for food and pollination.
Music by the Blossom
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May performance starts at 1pm. Meet in the Mother Orchard at Cotehele. Normal admission charges apply.
Feel the benefit of being surrounded by the beautiful blossom a you listen to music from local performers.
On Saturday 3 May we will be joined by Whitsand Harmony, a local four-part community choir that sing a wide ranger of songs from classics to contemporary.
On Sunday 4 May we will be joined by Moorland Mandolins, a local madolin orchestra who play a range of music from classical to dance and folk to jazz.
Bring some food and time the performance with your own picnic under the blossom.
Blossom Yoga at Cotehele
Thursday 8 and Saturday 10 May. Adults yoga (open to all abilities) at 10am, Family yoga (open to all abilities, including children) at 11.30am in the Old Orchard at Cotehele. Booking essential.
Join yoga instructor Sarah Spear for a relaxing yoga session under the blossoming fruit trees in Cotehele's Old Orchard. Bring your own yoga mat or borrow one of ours - along with other aids and equipment that may make yoga more accessible, enjoyable and benefical to you. In case of poor weather, this event will be moved inside.
Blossom Poetry Workshop from Calstock to Cotehele
Saturday 10 May, meet at 9.30am at Calstock Village Hall. Free event, booking essential.
Join Devon-based poet, Emmie Readman, for a wordy exploration of blossom. Beginning at Calstock Village Hall within blossoming Calstock for a workshop getting creative with words, pausing for lunch provided by Tamar Grow Local and then walking to Cotehele to explore the orchards in blossom and to take further inspiration for your poetry.
Festival of Blossom in the Tamar Valley and Plymouth
As well as events happening at Cotehele, we've been working with Green Communities (a partnership between Plymouth City Council and the National Trust), Food Plymouth and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to spread our blossom activities around the Tamar Valley railway line and Plymouth. Find out how to join in the fun near you.
Blossom Walk from Plymouth Station to Central Park
Sunday 6 April, meet at 11am at Plymouth Station. Free event, booking not required.
Join tree and fruit expert Tess Wilmott from Food Plymouth for a three mile walk around Plymouth. Includes visiting Ford Park Cemetery, the Family Tree Field, Zoo Field orchard and the orchard at Swarthmore Allotments.
Blossom Walk around St Budeaux
Monday 14 April, meet at 10am at St Budeaux Victoria Road Station. Free event, booking not required.
Meet at St Budeaux Victoria Road Station at the new community garden project for men at the station. This is part of the Pioneer Project in Barne Barton.
We'll then head off to explore the local area including Blackie Woods, to look for blossom and to learn more about nature.
Blossom Walk around Devonport
Tuesday 15 April, meet at 4pm at Devonport Station. Free event, booking not required.
Join local expert Tess Wilmott on a spring evening walk around Devonport Park and the fruiting arboretum. Searching for blossom and learning about some natural points of interests.
This walk is suitable for wheelchairs.
Blossom Walk to discover the orchard at Saltram
Wednesday 23 April, 11am-2pm. Meet in the car park at Saltram. Free event, booking not required.
Join local expert Tess Wilmott and staff from Saltram for a walk through the grounds to the orchard, discovering other trees in blossom along the way. At the orchard, you'll hear about the history and heritage of the apple trees and you can ask questions to the staff from Saltram.
CreativiTEA on the Blossom Train
Wednesday 23 April, catching the 12:28 train from Plymouth Station to Gunnislake and back. Free event, however train tickets must be purchased.
Join the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership on their special Blossom Train along the Tamar Valley line.
Whilst travelling, passengers can help themselves to complimentary items from the catering trolley of CreativiTEA! Blossom into yourself with resident artist and poet Sally Crabtree and create blossom garlands, magic glass rings, edible art biscuits or a mini Poetree of your own.
Booking essential, email railpart@plymouth.ac.uk to book.
Storytelling at St Budeaux
Tuesday 6 May at 10.45am and Sunday 11 May at 11.20am, meet at St Budeaux Victoria Road Station at 10.45am. Free event, booking essential.
Join the team from Josephine's Stories for a free interactive storytelling session from St Budeaux Railway Station to storytelling nook at Blackie Woods. When you arrive you'll be greeted by two magical characters who will take you on a journey of blossom, learning the importance of caring for ourselves and the environment around us, as well as the power of hope.
Everyone is welcome, however the storytelling session is primarily aimed at children aged 5 and under and their care givers. This event may be moved inside incase of poor weather.
Blossom Yoga at Keyham
Friday 9 and Sunday 11 May, adults yoga (open to all abilities) at 10am, family yoga (open to all abilities, including children) at 11.30am in Keyham Green Places (PL2 2DT) near Alexandra Park. Booking essential.
Yoga instructor Sarah Spear will be leading two outdoor sessions of yoga, amongst the late spring trees and nature. Embrace a relaxing session of yoga by bringing your own mat or borrowing one of ours - along with other aids and equipment available to borrow that may make yoga more accessible, enjoyable and benefical to you. In case of poor weather, this event will be moved inside.
Blossom Walk around Keyham
Friday 9 May, 10.30am-2.30pm. Meet at Keyham Station. Free event, booking not required.
Explore the area around Keyham Station to discover how many fruit trees are growing around the area by recongising their blossom.
Walks near a station along the Tamar Valley Line
Your nearest orchard or view of blossom is closer than you think. The Tamar Valley Line, from Plymouth to Gunnislake runs 7 days a week all year round. For details visit the Great Scenic Railways.
Circular walk from Bere Ferrers Station
Follow this self-guided walk around the skirts of the riverside village of Bere Ferrers, spotting blossoming hedges and trees as you go.
Approximately 3 miles.
Download the Bere Ferrers circular walk
Circular walk from Bere Alston Station
A varied circular walk which starts from the station and takes you along the riverbank and under Calstock Viaduct. Look out for blossoming trees as you walk past Kingston Orchard.
Approximately 5 miles.
Download the Bere Alston woodland & riverside walk
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