Fox Rosehill Gardens

Fox Rosehill Gardens is a small public garden tucked off Melvill Road in Falmouth, about five to ten minutes' walk from the town centre, the seafront and Gyllyngvase Beach. It began as part of the private grounds of the Fox family, Falmouth's Quaker shipping agents, who gave the garden for public use at the end of the Second World War. The family's maritime connections shaped the planting: many of the specimens were brought back by sea captains from Australia, New Zealand and South America or came from Kew, and the sheltered site still grows lemon, banana and eucalyptus trees, tall bamboos, agaves and a range of palms that would struggle elsewhere in Britain. The garden holds a national Green Flag Award for the standard of its care. Entry is free and it is open all year, and dogs are welcome on a lead. There is no parking at the gate; the nearest public car parks are at Gyllyngvase and Grove Place. Each June the garden holds a popular open day with a plant sale, rustic craft demonstrations and children's entertainment. A circuit takes twenty to thirty minutes, which makes it an easy detour between the beach and the shops for anyone with an interest in sub tropical planting.

Good to know

• Given for public use by the Fox family at the end of the Second World War
• Sub tropical planting including lemon, banana and eucalyptus trees, bamboos, agaves and palms
• Holds a national Green Flag Award
• Free entry, open all year; dogs welcome on a lead
• Nearest parking at Gyllyngvase or Grove Place; June open day with plant sale

Address: Melvill Road, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4DE.

Official site: Fox Rosehill Gardens website.