Pedn Billy on the Helford Passage, one of Cornwall’s most beautiful and unique gardens, will be open to the public this Sunday, April 26, to raise money for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

It was the top fund raiser in last year’s Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Open Gardens scheme, attracting the highest number of visitors that year and raising an incredible £1,500 for the Trust.

This year it is once again the first of many gardens to open throughout the county for special fundraising days for the Trust and will treat visitors to incredible views, spring flowers, a big plant sale, a chance to meet live bats and try some delicious home baked cakes. Pedn Billy is open to the public on Sunday April 26th from 2pm to 5pm, adults £4 children under 16 free, with other gardens opening during May, June, July, and August.

Pedn Billy is a stunning garden which boasts wild flower areas, beautiful specimen trees and terraced borders. At this time of the year Pedn Billy is ablaze with azaleas, magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias and flowering bulbs. Half of the 12 acres are ancient woodlands with paths that wind down to Port Navas Creek and Helford River to a private beach.

As with last year, members of the Cornwall bat Group will be present, along with Maisy the brown long eared bat and the Pipistrelle bats. These fascinating creatures gave an account of the world through their eyes a few years ago on BBC2’s ‘The Animals Guide to Britain’ presented by Wildlife Trust supporter Chris Packham. Visitors on the day will be able to meet and learn more about these nocturnal celebrities and other wildlife that can be spotted in the garden. Chris Betty, Communication Officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, says, “We are delighted that Pedn Billy has decided to open their garden for the Trust for a second year and we are hoping that they do as well as last, setting the bar for a very successful Open Gardens for us for 2015. It is a stunning and unique garden and even has its own private beach! As the county’s leading wildlife charity that protects Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places, funds raised by gardens such as Pedn Billy are vital for us to continue our conservation work, on land and in our seas”. Pasties and cream teas will be available thanks to Open Gardens supporters Carntock Bakery and Roddas. There will also be a big plant sale with plants kindly donated by B & Q in Penryn. Well behaved dogs are allowed on leads, there are toilet facilities. Disabled access is limited.

Other gardens due to open for the Trust are Ten Acre Wood near Wadebridge on Sunday May 3rd, Poppy Cottage near Truro on Sunday May 17th, Old Zanzig near Wadebridge on Sunday May 31st, Higher Trenedden near Pelynt on Sunday June 14th, The Old Watermill at St. Mabyn on Sunday June 28th, Lethytep near Lanreath on Sunday July 5th, Coldrenick House, Liskeard on Sunday July 12th, Homestead Woodland at Crelly on Sunday July 26th, Trenarth at High Cross on Sunday August 23rd, and May Tree Garden at St. Austell on August 30th.

For further information about any of the Open Gardens events, please visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/opengardens.