Frequently Asked Questions

We've compiled a list of FAQs to help you plan your visit to the garden and to make sure you have the best possible time visiting us at Trebah. 

 

About Trebah

 

Who is the owner of Trebah?
Since 1990 the house and garden have been run by Trebah Garden Trust, an independent registered charity

Who is the head gardener at Trebah Gardens?
Trebah's Head Gardener is Darren Dickey. He's worked at Trebah since 1990 and has been Head Gardener since 2002 - there's not much about Trebah that he doesn't know!

Who is the director/CEO of Trebah Gardens?
Trebah's CEO is Jon Cummins

How many acres is Trebah Garden?
We are a 26 acre garden

How long does it take to get around Trebah Gardens?
Visitors can spend anywhere from an hour to the entire day taking in all of the garden. An average visit lasts 2-3 hours

Is Trebah Garden a National Trust property?
Trebah is an independent registered charity and is not a National Trust garden.

Is Trebah free for National Trust members?
Trebah does not give free entry to National Trust members as we are not a National Trust garden

Is Trebah Garden part of the RHS?
Although Trebah is not an RHS garden, we are a partner garden which allows free entry to RHS members from November-March each year

Does Trebah Garden have a locals pass?
We do not have a locals pass as such, however we have Trebah memberships. After a couple of visits you'll have made your money back and these are a great way to have access to the garden all year round, as well as including lots of other benefits including free visits to other local attractions and gardens. Please click HERE to find out more about Trebah memberships.

Does Trebah have any discounts?
In the months of November and March, some other local attraction members can access the garden for free, on presentation of their membership cards. Also RHS members have free entry to the garden from November-March. Other than these, we have no discounts. More details can be found HERE

Can you get married at Trebah Gardens?
Trebah no longer holds weddings, so it isn't possible to get married here.

 

Visiting Trebah

 

Is there free parking At Trebah Garden?
Yes, we have lots of parking on-site and it is always free. The car park is a short, step-free walk from the Visitor Centre on a slight downward slope.

Can you picnic at Trebah gardens?
Yes absolutely! We have benches spread throughout our valley garden and on our beach, as well as a picnic area near the Visitor Centre. On site facilities include Trebah Kitchen which serves main meals and light bites and the Boathouse beach cafe which sells ice cream, snacks and drinks.

Is Trebah a good day out in wet weather?
You might not think that a garden would be great activity for a rainy day in Cornwall, but we're confident you won't be disappointed at Trebah! Our Visitor Centre, Cafe, Gift Shop, Plant Centre and Exhibition Space are all FREE to enjoy and are under cover in the same building. You only need to pay if you enter the garden.

If you do venture into the garden on a wet day, then you get to experience our sub-tropical paradise at its most atmospheric. Don't forget, there are always giant plants and trees to shelter under from the showers!

 

Gift Aid

 

What is Gift Aid and how does it work?
Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows us to reclaim the basic rate tax you pay as a UK taxpayer. It means that we can claim 25p of tax for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you.

Why is a Gift Aid ticket more expensive?
Standard admission fees are not eligible for Gift Aid. In order to claim Gift Aid on a standard admission fee, the visitor must donate at least an extra 10% of the entry cost. The inclusion of a 10% donation enables the Gift Aid ticket price to be classed as a charitable donation and we can then claim 25% back from the UK government on tickets purchased by UK taxpayers. To find out more, please visit: www.visitbritain.org/pink-book/guide-gift-aid-charitable-attractions

 

Dogs

 
Are dogs allowed at Trebah Garden?
Yes! Our four-legged friends are very welcome everywhere in the garden, as well as our visitor centre and shops, plus we have a dog-friendly section of the café. Please keep dogs on leads at all times.

 

Beach

 
Can you swim at Trebah Garden?
Yes, you’re very welcome to go for a dip in our sheltered cove down at the bottom of the garden. There is no lifeguard cover on the beach so visitors swim at their own risk and should do so within their own capabilities.

Is Trebah beach private?
Yes, Polgwidden Cove is owned by the Trebah Garden Trust and is only accessible when walking down through the garden as a visitor. Please note there is no access to or from the beach via the coast path.

Can you land on Trebah Beach?
No, unfortunately there can be no landing at our beach by boat or any other watercraft. Please enter and exit by car, bike or foot and enter through the Visitor Centre at the top of the garden.

 

Trebah Kitchen

 
Is the cafe dog friendly?
Our cafe has a dog friendly seating area indoors, as well as outdoor seating too. Please note, dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

 

Accessibility

 
Is Trebah Garden suitable for pushchairs?
Yes, we have a step free route all the way round the garden and onto the beach. Due to the topography of the garden there some steep slopes coming back up from the beach. We encourage visitors with pushchairs to speak to our welcome team about a step-free recommended route on entry.

Is Trebah Garden suitable for wheelchairs?
We do not encourage visitors to take wheelchairs into the garden as we do have some steep slopes, however we can provide tramper mobility scooters for free as an alternative but these do need to be pre-booked. Please click HERE to find out more about hiring a Tramper.

Is Trebah Garden suitable for mobility scooters?
Yes, but as a valley garden the route down can be steep, therefore we encourage visitors to check that their vehicle will be able to navigate slopes, as well as having a clearance of around 5 inches to safely get over gravel bumps or tree roots.

Can you hire mobility scooters at Trebah?
We have 2 trampers mobility scooters available to hire for the day, courtesy of the Countryside Mobility Scheme. Please note that they need to be pre-booked through our office, on 01326 252200. Please click HERE to find out more about hiring a Tramper.

Is there step free access onto Trebah Beach?
The garden has a highlighted step-free, recommended route that will take you down on to our beach.