Foxes, Beavers and Owls: What’s Hiding in the Gardens at Heligan?

Published On: 20 May 2025Last Updated: 20 May 2025By CornishStuff

📷 Fox Pouncing

Wildlife photography exhibition opens at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Visitors to The Lost Gardens of Heligan can now explore a new outdoor exhibition showcasing some of the hidden wildlife that calls the estate home.

200 Acres, named after the size of the Heligan estate, features stunning wildlife images taken by Andy Wilson, who balances his work as head of restoration at Heligan with his passion for photography.

From a barn owl feeding its young to a beaver gliding through a river and a fox cub leaping mid-hunt, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the biodiversity of the gardens.

📷Barn Owl with Chicks

Inspired by poetry and years of dedication

The exhibition takes inspiration from Dwell, a collection of poems by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage that explores the habitats of wild creatures.

Andy has worked at Heligan for 11 years, developing an expert understanding of the landscape and its wildlife. He uses trail cameras and purpose-built hides in secret locations across the estate to monitor and photograph animals in their natural settings.

“I’m chuffed to have my pictures exhibited at Heligan,” said Andy. “Photography is something I do because I love it but it’s great to have this recognition of my work. Unless they’re very lucky, Heligan visitors don’t often get to see wildlife on the estate so this is a fantastic way for them to see the biodiversity of the site without having to wait patiently for hours in hides.”

Andy’s favourite subject at Heligan is the fox, and one of his photos of fox cubs became one of the most popular posts ever shared on Heligan’s social media. Although he’s photographed wildlife all over the world, including brown bears in Finland and golden eagles in Norway, this is the first time his work has been on display at Heligan for visitors to enjoy.

📷Beaver, Female in Water

Part of a year-long focus on ‘home’

The 200 Acres exhibition is located on the west lawn at Heligan and is included with standard admission.

It forms part of a wider theme at Heligan this year around the idea of “home”, which will culminate in the Heligan Homecoming Festival, running from 13th to 22nd June.

The festival will include performances by musicians Seth Lakeman and Gwenno, comedians Dawn French and Edward Rowe (aka Kernow King), and conversations with special guests including Simon Armitage, chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and author Merlin Sheldrake.

Each date will include daytime activities such as beaver tours, ocean-view yoga, foraging and farm walks, followed by an evening headline act. Tickets for each day are sold separately and start from £25.

For more information or to book tickets, visit: www.heliganhomecoming.co.uk

£1 from every ticket will go towards supporting St Petrocs and funding a new red squirrel enclosure at Heligan, creating safe spaces for both people and wildlife in Cornwall.