The Lost Gardens of Heligan has been successful in a funding application for £300,000 to create visionary education centre and programme at heart of its 200-acre historic estate and gardens in Cornwall. 

The project, Heligan Learning Seed Pod, has received the money from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is being managed locally by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. 

The funding will enable the organisation to refurbish existing but unused buildings and build an education, skills and learning hub known as the ‘Seed Pod’. 

Thanks to the Good Growth investment, the £300,000 grant will also enable Heligan to recruit four permanent jobs within a learning team to set up and run the educational programme. 

“Our current work focuses on nature recovery, and we are excited to share our best practice and learnings with the visitor and local communities alike,” says David Harland, CEO for the Lost Gardens of Heligan.  

“Heligan, of course, is an anagram of ‘healing’ and is a natural home for a programme incorporating health and wellbeing in nature, growing and horticulture, and sustainability.” 

The total investment from Heligan for the project will be in excess of £1.5m, and will provide a permanent facility to make Heligan and Cornwall an important champion for agriculture, horticulture and systems change.

It will also provide practical amenities to local community groups. 

“The nature of Heligan and its activities means that it’s open to all and we will seek to support groups in our community,” adds Laura Chesterfield, managing director for the Lost Gardens of Heligan.  

“The large indoor classroom will become a base for groups such as the Heligan Scouts as well as forming a home for a wider volunteer programme.”