Hidden Gems to find in Cornwall

Think you’ve seen and done everything there is to do in Cornwall? How about these hidden gems tucked away in special locations around Cornwall?

Hidden Valley Garden, near St Austell

You guessed it - Hidden Valley Garden is a garden hidden in a valley! Tucked away near St Austell, this is where small really is beautiful. The intimate three acres includes a Mediterranean area, iris garden and hot border which boasts a centerpiece of scorching colours in the summer. Nearby you will also find Pinetum Park and the Eden Project.

Mt Edgcumbe Country House and Garden, Rame Peninsula

With acres and acres of parkland to explore plus beautiful formal gardens, this part of south east Cornwall is sometimes called Cornwall's 'forgotten corner'. The house and it's surrounding buildings are well worth a look around with craft workshops and activities like Frizbee Golf to keep all ages occupied. But, away from the house, put on your walking boots and lose yourself on the many paths that criss cross the estate. These stretch along the coast and through lush woodland, which in springtime is ablaze with colour both from the bluebells and also the rhododendrons and camillas.

Gwennap Pit, Redruth

One of the most remarkable sights in Cornwall, this is basically a big hole in the ground. Formally a collapsed mine shaft, the site was turned into an amphitheatre and used by firebrand John Wesley who preached Methodism to the masses in the 18th century. Walk around the rows of seats from top to bottom, a route that measure exactly one mile. The pit sits in an area rich in Cornwall's mining history, brought to life on TV by Poldark.

Telegraph Museum, Porthcurno

You’d never believe from its tucked-away location near Land's End, that this was once the world’s largest and busiest submarine telegraph station, leading the way in modern mass communication. At the museum you can learn more about how we used to stay in touch long before tweets and email. Explore interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations, underground World War 2 tunnels and family-friendly activities that bring the communication story to life in a fun and engaging way no matter what your age.

The Helford River and Frenchman's Creek

Beautifully serene, the Helford River is best seen either on foot or by boat. The gardens of Glendurgan and Trebah on the north side run right down to the waters edge, whilst on the quieter southside, footpaths take you from thatched inns to hidden churches. Lovers of Daphne DuMaurier should take to the water with Koru Kayaks to paddle gently up Frenchman's Creek with just the swans for company

If you know of any other hidden gems... please keep them to yourselves, so they stay hidden!