Things to do in the garden at Godolphin

Box hedging and Spring flowers at Godolphin, Cornwall — Box hedging and Spring flowers at Godolphin. | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Visit the large garden at Godolphin and discover how the original 16th-century layout is still visible today. Uncover the hidden parts of the garden and learn how everything is planted with wildlife in mind. Godolphin's garden also provides a special home to insects, such as the native Cornish black bee.

Seasonal Garden highlights

Sir Francis Godolphin was one of the most important and influential inhabitants of Cornwall when he built his garden here in the 16th century. Five centuries later, much of the original layout of his ambitious scheme survives, making the garden at Godolphin of national importance.

The garden team at Godolphin preserve its unique character, managing the garden gently to protect archaeology and its status as a Scheduled Monument. The garden is maintained without chemicals, which increases the work for gardeners, but benefits the insects, birds, and bats who live here.

During the Spring, you can enjoy the tapestry of spring flowers on the raised turf walkways and floor of the orchard. As you explore spot the snakes head fritillaries in purple and white, daffodils and snowdrops blooming throughout the gardens. Dog violets and wood anemones can also be spotted on a walk-up Godolphin Hill.

In March primroses spring up all over Godolphin and fruit trees begin to blossom, signifying the start of spring. Magnolia blossoms in the King’s Garden and native bluebells reach their peak in May, covering the woodlands at Godolphin.

Join us as we celebrate ‘No Mow May’ and allow wildflowers to bloom in segments of the garden creating a feast of nectar is provided for hungry pollinators.

Pale yellow narcissus flowers blooming at Godolphin, Cornwall — Narcissus flowers blooming at Godolphin, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Juliet Turner

The Side Garden

Of the original nine-compartment Tudor design, three remain in the Side Garden. They provide a wealth of traditional, seasonal planting and in the summer the herbaceous borders are full of height, colour and scent.

Plants like aquilegia, white foxgloves, lupin and ox-eye daisy provide a food source for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Take a seat on one of the bespoke benches under the trees and enjoy watching the varied insect life and lsitening to the bird song.

The Dry Ponds

Head up to the dry ponds, which were once breeding ponds for fish and filled by the streams running off from Godolphin Hill. Water management was very popular in the 16th century so having your own pond was the height of fashion.

The original steps can be used to reach the former pond from the Side Garden.

The Paddock

This area is home to the first native bee haven on a National Trust site in the UK. We’re supporting a project to save the Cornish remnants of the native black honey bee. You might see the bee keepers inspecting the hives during your visit.

The Orchard

The Orchard has been replanted with Cornish varieties of apples, alongside pears, a medlar, crab apples, white mulberries and cherries.

If you visit in spring, the trees will be filled with blossom and the sound of buzzing bees. Then, from September to October, they’ll be laden with juicy fruit. Fallen apples are placed at the back of the borders to provide food for birds and other wildlife.

A visitor walks away down a path in the gardens at Godolphin Cornwall — Walking in the gardens at Godolphin | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

The King's Garden

Step into the King's Garden from the folly passage way and explore the 16th-century privy garden. The term ‘privy’ means that the garden was private to the occupants of that room.

The King's Garden had many uses over the years, from being a private formal garden in Tudor times to a vegtable garden.

Today, everyone can enjoy this walled garden with cloud-like box hedges following neat paths. When the sun shines it becomes a suntrap where you can breathe in the perfume of highly scented roses and lavender when they bloom.

The King's Room

From the King's Garden, venture into the King's Room, where Charles II reputedly stayed whilst fleeing Parliamentarian forces in 1646.

See the large carved oak chimneypiece overmantel which commemorates the marriage of William Godolphin and Thomasine Sidney in 1604. Paint has been removed from the surface of the chimneypiece, revealing the carving in greater detail. It’s supported by four ornately carved columns. Take a closer look at the top of the columns to see shapes that resemble two hearts, symbolising love in the marriage.

The Potting Shed

Make sure to visit the newly refurbished potting shed in the Side Garden to discover more about the long and complex history of the gardens at Godolphin, and how its changed over time.

Plus find out more about how our gardeners are adopting a chemical free approach to gardening to create a haven for native wildlife and to protect the garden's status as a Scheduled Monument.

Explore the outbuildings

Discover more about Godolphin's farming heritage by visiting the outbuildings.

The exterior of the Victorian Farm Buildings at Godolphin, Cornwall — Victorian Farm Buildings on Godolphin estate | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

The Stables

Built in the 16th century, this former stable block would have stored cut hay, animal feed and tack for the horses. Today, echoes of the agricultural past of Godolphin can be seen in the few farm wagons and wain carts housed in these buildings that would have been part of daily farm life. Look out for the cut stone sections placed within one of the window openings.

The Piggery

The former piggery now houses the tea-room here at Godolphin. The original slate-lined walls can still be seen, which would have been easy to clean when the piggery was in use. Stop here for a variety of cakes, sandwiches and hot drinks. Cream teas and Cornish ice creams are also served here when available. It’s the ideal place to refuel after looking around the buildings.

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