Port Isaac In Bloom
Spring sunshine and the tropical scent of gorse. Turquoise water and sea pinks. Ducklings and the purple pop of irises. As the seasons shift from spring towards early summer, Cornwall comes into bloom. Ranging from coastal thrift to the woodland bluebell, an array of colour blankets the floor and lines the coast path, attracting bees, bugs and wildflower enthusiasts. Inherently acidic, Cornwall’s soil allows rhododendrons, camellia, magnolia and hydrangeas to thrive, ensuring Cornish gardens are awash with colour from as early as March, all the way through until autumn.
Whilst the quaint cottage gardens of Port Isaac were not built with hobbyist horticulture in mind, owners now have steered away from the pig sty and vegetable plot in favour of more considered, colourful planting. As an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Port Isaac and the surrounding coastline is protected, helping animals and plants to thrive.
Looking further afield, the south coast of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are home to a surprisingly subtropical, mild and wet climate, aiding in the growth of giant ferns, palms and succulents.
Gardens of Port Isaac
Port Isaac’s Gardens
Known fondly in North Cornwall as Padstow Pride, you know summer has arrived when the hedgerows are lined with Valerian. Pink, red and white burst at the seams and during nesting season the hedges are left to grow, spilling into the roads and across narrow footpaths. A feast for the eyes, we encourage visitors to Port Isaac to take a wander through the village, exploring lanes, alleys and opes to discover pretty gardens, colourful window boxes and wildflowers bursting from the walls.
Black and white photos show traditional fisherman’s cottage gardens lined with neat rows of vegetables, a chicken run, bee hives and livestock. Before mass production, supermarkets and tourism, every inch of land was used to produce enough food to feed a family throughout the year. Long gone are the days of 100% home grown produce, and those yards and gardens has now been planted with towering foxgloves, vibrant azaleas, decadent wisteria and climbing clematis. Indulge the senses by taking a walk down through the historic streets and up into the surrounding valley.
Valerian on Back Hill, Port Isaac
Wildflowers on the Coast Path
Many visitors to Port Isaac and Cornwall are attracted by the South West Coast Path. Spanning 630 miles from beginning to end, the trail runs across clifftops, farmland and fields, valleys and woodland, beaches and seaside towns. Many stretches of the coast path are only accessible by foot, making these sections a haven for wildlife, flora and fauna. As you head north from Port Isaac and Port Gaverne, the wild North Cornish coast opens up ahead of you and the coast path snakes towards Tintagel and beyond. Cared for by the National Trust, and an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coast Area, the nature in this area is carefully managed and encouraged to thrive. Lending themselves to the carpet of colour, from early spring to late summer, expect to spot ox-eye daisy, sea thrift, sheeps-bit scabious and english stonecrop, all with a backdrop of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. As you delve into the sheltered valleys en route, you might see bluebells, fox gloves, honeysuckle, crocus and more.
Sea Thrift on the coast path near Port Isaac
National Garden Scheme Gardens near Port Isaac
Launched in the 1900s, the National Garden Scheme has evolved to give visitors access to beautiful private gardens throughout the UK and beyond. The aim of the organisation is to allow enthusiasts to enjoy gardens whilst raising money for nursing and other health charities through admission fees and sales of, in true British fashion, tea and cake.
Within 25 miles of Port Issac you will find a number of NGS Yellow Book Gardens open during the summer months. Head inland towards Bodmin and Lostwithiel where you’ll find a number of private gardens open to the public such as Trethew, Pinsla Garden, Lostwithiel Gardens and 7 Gilbury Hill, or venture down the coast to the outskirts of St Columb where you’ll discover Rose Marran and Lower Tregamere. Discover the NGS gardens near Port Isaac by using the ‘Find a Garden’ interactive map on the National Garden Scheme website.
Stately Home Gardens Near Port Isaac
Manicured lawns, historic homes, layers of history and beautiful gardens, many stately homes in Cornwall are open to the public, and a few of our favourites lie within a half an hour of Port Isaac.
The Gardens at Pencarrow
Pencarrow is privately owned and still inhabited by the original family. Tucked into the countryside between Wadebridge and Bodmin, the main garden of the house is perfectly kept, featuring fountains, grassy banks, granite steps and well maintained paths. As you begin to explore, you’ll discover a subtropical valley packed with ferns and foliage, a huge lake that is home to moorhens and ducks, a babbling stream and passages sculpted by bright pink rhododendrons and camellias in bloom.
Easily accessible via the ferry from Rock to Padstow, Prideaux Place is famous as a popular filming location for the German series Rosamund Pilcher. On the estate you’ll find rolling green lawns, mature woodland, carpets of bluebells in the spring time and a sprawling deer park overlooking the Camel Estuary.
National Trust owned Lanhydrock is worthy of a full day out. The house itself is open to the public and packed with history and learning resources. Whilst the regimental main garden is perfect for picnics, the further gardens surrounding the stately home are a lush, dense jungle of bright blossoms, towering trees, winding pathways and flourishing wildflowers. The grounds roll on into a dappled woodland called Respryn, where a large river flows swiftly and nature thrives.
Wild flowers in Cornish gardens
Further Afield
From late May to early July, the poppies at West Pentire headland are a must-see attraction in Cornwall. Follow the circular walk between Crantock and Polly Joke, basking in the colourful array of thousands of poppies playing in the sea breeze.
Caerhays Castle Gardens on the south coast are a spectacle to behold. Famous for their incredible collection of magnolias, the estate is one of only four National Magnolia Collections in the country. Boasting species from all over the world, visitors flock to the gardens in early spring to witness the stunning blooms. The estate is also home to many varieties of camellia, rhododendron, hydrangeas and more.
The quaint Japanese Garden is tucked into the wet and warm valley village of St Mawgan. Home to multiple species of bonsai, bamboo, Japanese maple, cherry blossom and coy carp, the peaceful garden was created as a calm, meditative and relaxing space. Lose yourself in the gentle sounds of a babbling brook and quiet wind chimes.
If you’re visiting Cornwall purely for the spectacular gardens, we’d also recommend heading to the Lost Gardens of Heligan near St Austell, Trebah Gardens on the Helford and the National Trust’s Glendurgan nextdoor - both near Falmouth. All of these stunning gardens are home to native species of flora and fauna, whilst also brimming with exotic plants that flourish in the subtropical environment.
The poppies at West Pentire
Stay At Port Isaac Bay Holidays
Escape the crowds and join us during bloom season. An ideal base to enjoy Cornwall in bloom through spring and summer, we truly think there’s nowhere as beautiful as Post Isaac during the warmer months. Whether you’re taking it easy locally or using the fishing village as a base to explore the wider area, Port Isaac is the perfect place to watch the wildflowers and gardens come to life. Browse our accommodation to find a last minute break, or book your stay with us for next year.