Marsh Villa Gardens

Discover three acres of beautiful gardens that boast vibrant beauty throughout every season.

In 1985, when the present owners took over, Marsh Villa was little more than a badly drained meadow capable of sustaining only few livestock. But by 1988 a slow planting programme was in full swing and now it has matured into a lively and interesting plot. The resulting garden offers easy access to a series of garden 'rooms', each with its own distinct character and atmosphere.

Even though it has only a short past to delve into, it is worth touching on the history of Marsh Villa because it was once a tidal creek and featured in Daphne du Maurier's 'House on the Strand'. Now the garden is famous for its endless varieties of some of Cornwall's most colourful trees - the late-flowering hoheria, the paulownia and the parrotia to name just a few.

The mention of a 'marsh' doesn't do this garden justice, to aptly describe this intimate and flourishing spot that truly sums up the theme of small is beautiful. Discover the glades and wildlife of these wild gardens and your sights and senses will be dazzled throughout an afternoon of exploration. Duck under the metre-wide leaves of paulownia and marvel at the dragonflies dangled above the water lilies hiding in the natural pond.

Despite being small, don't under-estimate the horticultural diversity on offer and make sure you take time to wander through the woodland areas and marshland trails of this enchanting site. Border perennials provide plenty of shade if you want to shelter out of the glare of the sun, and paths lead from the main garden to the marsh, which is a haven for wildlife spotting.