shazzbat wrote:
An opportunity has arisen for us to spend some time down that way at the
end of Jan/early Feb. I assume that being largely under cover it's pretty
much OK any time of year, any disadvantages to going in winter?
And any info about where else is good nearby, and places to stay would be
appreciated.

In winter you'll only see the sculptures and immaginative installations
outside, but there's some interesting design. However, I s'pose
because the domes are all year round covered (doh!) the exotic dome
will be as beautiful in winter as it is in summer minus the crowd of
people you'd expect in summer. You won't see the californian meadows
though and that, in my opinion, is a miss ;o)

We've enjoyed the Lost Gardens of Heligan very much - the farm,
orchards, flowers and veg gardens were amazing. Again, winter will be a
bit empty and you must see it in use as it's a hard working environment
and therefore lots for the kids to see. I found the beginning of the
gardens very boring as there was far too many rhodos and bamboos for my
liking but then, when out of these it was wonderful. They have the most
amazing collection of onions )

A garden nobody mentioned which we also very much enjoyed when we went
down there was Minack Theatre in Porthcumo - we saw Macbeth by a full
moon and my kids were gobsmacked by the whole experience. The gardens
are superbe, all coastal plants with 90% being sempervivens and sub
tropical rockeries - all beautifully placed in carved containers or
against the cliff with breathtaking sea views. It was created by a guru
of mine, Rowena Cade, who started her gardens in 1929 and let the use
of it to the local dramatic society. Before you knew it, she was
carving the amphitheatre and miixing her own concrete! A remarkable
woman. HTH