Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens — Attraction in Ludgvan

Gave it a 5 but might be a 4??

Why you might ask? Probably the price and the systematic shut down experience we had. So we got there i believe 2 hours before last entry and went right into the garden walk- when we did everything seemed so busy and the outside of garden bits (gallery, Cafe, succulent shop) were all open and we desired to pop into them. However by the time we had exited the gardens, they were all closed -- this was disappointing because when leaving the garden, people were just then paying and being admitted in, it was iirc 18£ per, so they would only get the garden walk and even then probably be coralled to leave without being able to fully enjoy it.

I'll break now for the Positives- the gardens are expansive and the art pieces interesting. You can see st michaels in the distance and there are many places to stop & rest, take in vistas, and enjoy the aromas/sounds of the Forrest. The map is a little hard to get but it's not too bad, the sky room was very interesting. INCLINES & STAIRS are very prevalent for anyone needing to be away of such, but there are many path options and the map noted stairs over gravel trails. You definitely feel like you're in some sort of deep tropical jungle at points which is fun.

I guess what I'm getting at is that it was disappointing that the Cafe & gallery close down noticeably earlier than the gardens - also the demeanor of the staff was mildly dismissive. When we approached the gallery they were fluttering about, closing duties, and we were sullen and double checking we couldn't get it, not so much as a hello or acknowledgement to confirm it to us. Was a little awkward. We did enjoy the garden, but i just feel that seeing those other bits would have well rounded the trip and it seemed silly they closed so much earlier...

Superb! Highly recommended - just a note of caution about the cafe.

We really enjoyed our visit, and like Haughton Hall and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, James Turrell’s Skyspace (Tewlwolow Kernow) is a highlight. Worth the ticket price alone, frankly.

The gardens are gorgeous and the sculpture and setting very interesting and enjoyable. St Michael’s Mount in the distance is an impressive backdrop.

There’s the most amazing succulent plant nursery and a sweet shop selling art and gifts, next to the cafe.

We visited on a Sunday at about 1:30. It wasn’t horribly busy and it was easy to park. The note of caution is regarding the café, which looked fantastic. In short, you need to reserve/book your table in advance.

We hadn’t realised that you needed to reserve your seat. Having arrived fairly late for lunch at 1.30 we hoped to grab something to eat before exploring the gardens but the cafe was fully booked until 3:30. There is a nice little takeout hut next door where we ended up buying a goat cheese tart and cheese scone. They usually do pasties, apparently but were sold out that day. My husband hates goats cheese so he was left with a cheese scone as the only savoury option. He was ‘hangry’ to say the least!

Having said all that, the service was nice and all the food that we had was very good. It was just frustrating that we wanted to sit down and have something to eat rather than running back to the car in the rain with a very limited choice of food.

Don’t get me wrong, this is not a complaint, just a lesson learnt that I’m trying to pass on to other visitors. We really enjoyed our visit and would definitely return the next time we’re in the area.

We’d just make sure we took the booking scenario into account if we wanted to eat it...

Classism is still alive and well in Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. I asked if they had any tables available, the hostess looked me up and down and told me there wouldn't be anything for 45 minutes. My Mum came out of the bathroom a couple of minutes later and asked the same question, and they seated her immediately. The hostess made a face and said 'Oh, you're together.'. When she sat us, she made a comment about 'needing this table for other people' which I thought was especially rude and did not make us feel welcome or wanted at all. We were thinking about leaving but the cakes looked good and we were thirsty. Nobody took our order so we thought maybe we had to order at the counter? 3 different staff members saw us waiting there, made eye contact and didn't say anything. Finally our hostess saw us and told us to go back to our table, she's taking somebody else's order and then she'll take ours. At this point we were 100% done and left.

Don't bother coming unless you're dressed like Mary Berry. Honestly have never been treated that poorly in my whole life. All 4 of us are high-earning professionals and we were only dressed casually (jeans and hoodies - clean with no rips) because we were heading on a walk afterwards. I highly recommend going to Agapanthus Tea Rooms nearby - they had an amazing sea view and it was £13 for all 4 of us to have a...