Explore | Parks & Gardens | Trenance Gardens
Trenance Gardens
Pockets of vibrant blooms, trailing weeping willows, a serene lake and the quiet hum of wildlife: Trenance Gardens is a restful haven away from the hubbub of the town centre.
With something for everybody at this dynamic beauty spot, it should be no surprise it’s frequented by locals and visitors of all ages, in all weathers, year-round. Located at the bed of a valley, a trip to this luscious green space brings tranquility, adventure, history and romance all rolled into one. A saunter through the rows of flora here and you’ll come across lounging lakeside picnic-ers, eager wildlife spotters, hand-in-hand rose garden amblers and happy dog walkers. Offering a place to relax, exercise, dine, and play surrounded by nature, Trenance is a fragrant Eden-esque alternative to Newquay’s beaches.
Facilities
🅿️ Parking
♿️ Accessible
🐾 Dog friendly
🍴Food & drink
🚾 Toilets
A History of Trenance
Although the gardens and cottages date back to the 18th century, it was during 1906 that the formal gardens were laid out. In 1932, the Boating Lake was built by local men in return for dole money (a shilling per week), tobacco and a pasty – history tells us that to keep the men coming to work each day, their wives were given a packet of tea at the end of each week as an incentive!
These days, the thriving gardens enjoy a subtropical feel, brimming with decorative, colourful plants, a rich rose section, and a variety of striking trees. A playground for the young and old, you can take to the water alongside elegant swans in pedal boats, enjoy a tranquil saunter around the vivid grounds, feed the friendly ducks, or relish a long lunch in one of the idyllic cafés along the way.
Days out with the kids
If you’ve got little ones in your gang, Trenance has got you covered with a sweet miniature train, a wooden park playground and beautifully landscaped crazy golf (please note, crazy golf is seasonal and temporarily closed in off-peak season).
The Leisure Park
This section of Trenance is adjacent to the gardens and houses a number of action-packed activities ready and raring to entertain and occupy all ages, from the young to young at heart! Offering so much more than just a day out, practise your backhand at the Heron tennis centre, enjoy an educational (and cute!) afternoon at the zoo, make a splash at the swimming pool, jump about on trampolines, and optimise your ollie at the skatepark.
Where to eat and drink
Amongst the blooms you have the choice of two equally warm and welcoming dog-friendly cafés – Trenance Garden Cafe and the Heron Tennis Centre. Both serve up a delicious menu made up of hot and cold dishes, seasonal specialities, snacks, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and of course, ice cream!
Explore the heritage of Trenance Cottages
Trenance Gardens are home to a trio of beautifully renovated, whitewashed, Grade II listed Cornish cottages, widely thought to be the only remaining row of pre-railway age dwellings in Cornwall.
Today these historic cottages make up a cosy café, a sweet function room, and a heritage museum. At the museum you can uncover the humble beginnings of life in the valley, grab a glimpse of what pre-1900s homes would have looked like, and learn all about past residents. The cottages are of notable local architectural, historical, landscape and social significance to Newquay, forming a remarkably intact cluster of humble houses which have remained largely unaltered throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
