Tremenheere gardens hold a growing world class collection of sculptures and a recreated Chelsea Gold Medal winning garden Tremenheere has a fabulous setting cocooned within a cathedral like woodland that embraces an inspirational sub tropical planting against the counter point of extensive views over Mounts bay.
We had a real spring treat this week and explored the Tremenheere sculpture gardens, with a guided tour from director and founder Dr Neil Armstrong. This was arranged in conjunction with Cornwall 365.
We arrived in plenty of time to park and explore the plant sales before looking enviously at the cafe goers as they enjoyed lunch al fresco over a glass of wine on the terrace. Finally we were gathered from the forecourt of the new art gallery, by our charming host ready for our tour of the gardens.
Journey through the gardens
The first stop was beside the bridge where the St Michael’s Way crosses. This is a former pilgrim’s path, between landfall at St Ives and St Michael’s Mount, avoiding the hazardous sea passage around Land’s End. (An example of the type of boat that they would have used to travel from Ireland perhaps, was pulled up on the far bank) The pilgrims would then journey on across France and Spain
Walkers in a landscape of dreams
Our route wound onwards over boardwalks following a gurgling steam into the depths of the garden and we became walkers in the landscape of dreams.
A passion for Planting
The planting is fabulous at Tremenheere Sculpture Garden, with rare palms and plants gathered from around the world by our knowledgeable host. The massive size of the Agaves alone testify to the fact that this really is a sub subtropical garden.
Our visit on this occasion, was to learn more about the sculptures and their role in the landscape, so forgive me if I concentrate on these this week. Ideally I hope to return very soon to take a closer look at the plants
A passage of Sculptures
The sculptures led our passage through the garden on a thoughtful journey, each placed for a purpose.
We discovered installations by world famous artists, nestling comfortably in the leaf mould and powerful sculpture reigning defiantly over Mounts bay. Yet as we climbed the valley with the sun filtering through the trees defusing the vivid bright light of Coastal Cornwall the garden became a world apart.
Koshio Saga
An elegant thought made real and placed in the woodland. A thought, reduced to a minimum of expression by the artist but so eloquently explained by our host.
The line along the top represents the journey of life quietly outlined by the passage of the sun filtering through the trees.
James Turrell R.A
.
Trewlwolow Kernow “Twilight in Cornwall”
This elliptical chamber with an ovoid open to the sky proved to be a sensory experience. We moved down the underground passage into the brilliantly lit chamber with just one fabulous reflection of sunlight so perfectly outlined on the clean white walls. For me it felt rather like entering the underground fogou at Carn Euny and it must have brought the same sense of the world magnified to those ancient peoples
Penny Saunders
The restless temple
From a distance this appears to be a great reflection of a Greek temple. Yet it is designed to move to an angle of forty five degrees in high winds and reflect the transient nature of consciousness.
Tim Shaw RA
Minotaur
Powerful brooding presence of the mythical Minotaur presiding over Mounts Bay
Matt Chivers
Hybrid
A stone carving combining organic cloud forms and computer generated angular shapes
Michaels Chaikin
Perspex Wind Sculptures
We were surprised as we emerged from the woodlands into a field to find a kaleidoscope of colours. Each mobile restlessly moving in a sort of group anarchy or perhaps more kindly as a victorian automaton
Darren Hawkes
An elegant chelsea garden recreated beside the stream that heads out to Mounts Bay under the shade of weeping willow. Alas I shall be glued to Chelsea on TV as usual this year so it was a real opportunity to the real thing in the flesh! I lingered until all of the walkers had gone to walk down to the tranquil water and stand in the garden.
A brief history of Tremenherre Sculpture Garden
Tremenheere means “place of the long stones” and indeed there are some magnificent examples standing in the entrance. From this early pre history the land was owned by the monks of St Michael’s Mount until bought by William De Tremenheere in 1290
The association with the Mount continued though and it was said to have been the vineyard for St Michael’s Mount in the 15th century.
The Tremenheere family were prominent in Penzance and served as mayors on nine occasions from 1655 until 1797. The established woodland of sweet chestnut, Oak Holly and beach was planted in 1830 around the fertile farmland. Finally a carriage drive was inserted for teh land to become the summer retreat of Seymour Tremenheere.
From the Tremenheere’s the land passed to the Pearce family for another four generations.
It was bought by Dr Neil Armstrong in 1997 with an impossible dream to make a major contemporary Mediterranean garden with Sculptures. The sculptures that would lead the eye, explain the garden form and focus the view
Where is Tremenheere Sculpture Garden?
The Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens are close to Penzance, with fabulous views over Mounts Bay, to compliment the sub tropical planting and world class sculptures. Tremenheere gardens are a short drive from us at Ednovean Farm quite.
- “Follow the A30 westbound towards Penzance.
- When you reach the outskirts of Penzance take the 3rd exit at the Morrisons roundabout onto Jelbert Well. Pass KFC, Currys, Halfords and B&M on your left.
- Take the first right onto Posses Lane (signposted Gulval).
- From the end of Posses Lane follow the signs to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens.
- After just over 1 mile turn left into Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens.”
Snaps from around the garden
A visit to Tremenheere Sculpture gardens is a real treat for art lovers, garden lovers and a photographers dream
