Cornwall Wildlife Trust has announced this year’s gardens taking part in their ever popular annual Open Gardens scheme.

There are some new additions, but lots of the old favourites are there.

Last year a record £21,000 was raised for the Trust’s conservation work, and for residents and visitors alike this is their yearly chance to explore some of Cornwall’s most stunning gardens and take home ideas for their own.

Isabella Hawkes, community fundraising officer, said: “Our incredible volunteer team has put together another full diary of gardens for people to explore this summer all over Cornwall. These gardens welcome wildlife, and all funds raised ensure that Cornwall Wildlife Trust continues to protect Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places. We hope to see you there.”

New this year, visitors can actually take away part of what they see, with plant stalls at all the gardens.

With a common theme of providing a home for Cornish wildlife the gardens are varied in content and size, but all provide inspirational ideas. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, browsing through some of the most beautiful gardens in Cornwall and at the same time know you are helping the county’s wildlife. Cream teas are courtesy of Rodda’s, Berryman’s and Cornish Coffee.

As always the trust has a very personal approach to these events. A band of volunteers takes care of all the administrative work leaving the owners free on the day to chat to visitors.

These are events that all the family can enjoy, even the dog, except where specially excluded due to wildlife.

Coldrenick, Menheniot, Liskeard, PL14 3RQ

Sunday, April 14 (2pm to 5pm)

An old favourite from a few years ago, opening again for the Trust, Coldrenick is steeped in history. Magnolias, camellias, bamboos grow alongside each other, and a wooded area is filled with bluebells in spring in this diverse garden just waiting to be explored. The tenement of South Coldrenick and the nearby mansion house of Coldrenick were bought by Sir John Trelawny in 1591 for £200 and since then it has passed through the family. Today Coldrenick has an organic dairy farm extending from Doddycross to the A38 as well as being a haven for wild flowers.

Pedn Billy, Bar Road, Helford Passage TR11 5LF

Sunday, April 28 (2pm-5pm)

A firm favourite with visitors, it’s not only the garden that’s amazing but the location with views over the Helford River are just stunning. Wild flower areas, beautiful specimen trees and terraced borders, and half of the 12 acres are ancient woodlands with paths that wind down to Port Navas Creek and the Helford River with its own

private beach. Pedn Billy opens in the spring with all that means for Cornwall, the bluebells, the daffodils and the spring flowers.

2 Trenance Cottages, St Newlyn East, TR8 5HU

Sunday, May 12 (2pm-5pm)

More than 35 years of love and nurturing has created the garden at 2 Trenance Cottages. Starting out as a simple family garden, Trenance has grown into landscaped lawns, woodland, and plentiful orchards. Part of the garden includes an extensive fruit and vegetable area which has a thriving 20 year old orchard of traditional Cornish apple varieties as well as Kea plum trees.

Burncoose House and Garden, Gwennap, Redruth, TR16 6BJ

Sunday, May 19 (11am-4pm)

A magnificent 30-acre woodland garden with rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas and camellias. The garden is tucked away behind the famous Burncoose Nurseries, winner of over 20 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold medals. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust was given special access to the whole of this hidden treasure last year, including the refurbished grand Burncoose House and its immediate garden. We return for a second visit.

Little Park Farm, St. Clements, Malpas, Truro TR1 1SX.

Sunday, June 2 (2pm-5pm)

Add to a beautiful garden stunning views over the Malpas Passage near Truro and you have a lovely afternoon out in June. The house faithfully replicates a traditional 18th century Cornish farmhouse. Semi-formal gardens sweep around the house and a large conservatory opens onto a terrace from where the beautiful views can be enjoyed. There is a large natural pond well stocked with fish and native planting and paths lead into grassland and wildflower meadows with further views.

Boswiddle, Boswiddle Farm, Ladock, TR2 4NU

Sunday, June 9 (2pm-5pm)

A plantsman’s garden, Boswiddle has created several garden “rooms” in a cottage style for visitors to explore, encouraging diversity for wildlife. A sunny terrace allows for unbroken views of the garden, and paths draw the visitor on a tour of meadows. A kitchen garden and orchard is complete with resident ducks and there is also a circular walk from the garden taking in meadows, woodland and streamside.

Lethytep, Penadlake, Lanreath PL13 2PG

Sunday, June 23 (11am-4.30pm)

This spectacular 52 acre garden is an established favourite and is literally a giant playground for Cornish wildlife with woodland, meadows, lakes and ponds. Lethytep is particularly renowned for butterflies, dragonflies and wild flowers. There is plenty to see and do which will amaze even the most established naturalist.

Arundell, West Pentire, Crantock, TR8 5SE

Sunday, July 14( 2pm-5pm)

This is the garden where no garden should be, set on a headland between two fantastic beaches. But garden there is, with a rockery, shrubbery, cottage garden, herbaceous borders, a stumpery, gravel garden, small pinetum area and spectacular exotic garden. Add to this a pond and a stream. This garden has in the past featured on the Gardeners World television programme.

Millpool, Millpool Grange, Cardinham, Bodmin, PL30 4HZ

Sunday, July (2pm-5pm)

Drop into the valley of Cardinham and discover delightfully shaded woodland at Millpool. Follow the stream as it runs through the garden, cascading and forming small pools on its course. Blooms of shrubs seamlessly combine the terraced semi-formal garden and woodland. Rich in wildlife, and a welcome habitat for many, Millpool should not be missed!

Trenarth, High Cross, Constantine TR11 5JN

Sunday, August 4 (2pm-5pm)

The four acre gardens surround the 17th granite farmhouse with its central courtyard, and wonderful, far reaching pastoral views. There are many unusual and tender plants within the listed garden walls, vegetables, orchard, yew "rooms", woodland area and quirky features such as the toilet in a telephone box. The site is a maternity roost of lesser horseshoe bats and the planting encourages birds, butterflies and insects all the year round.

South Bosent, Dobwalls, nr. Liskeard PL14 4LX

Sunday, September 1 (2pm-5pm)

When the owners bought the old farmhouse and about 9-acres of land six years ago the object was to create a garden to attract wildlife. Already it is visited by a range of birds, insects, butterflies, moths and bats. Four ponds provide homes for newts, toads and frogs as well as mallards and the passing heron. Trees have been planted, including fruit trees, and there are perennial and annual plants, as well as areas of true wilderness.

Entrance to all gardens is £5 per adult with under 16s free. For further details and directions please visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/opengardens or call 01872 273939.