Heligan Secures £300,000 for New Education Hub and Community Programmes

The Lost Gardens of Heligan has secured £300,000 in funding to establish a new education centre and programme at its 200-acre estate. The project, known as the Heligan Learning Seed Pod, will be funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, managed locally by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme.

A New Hub for Learning

The investment will see the refurbishment of unused buildings and the creation of an Education, Skills and Learning hub, aptly named the “Seed Pod”. The initiative aims to promote health, wellbeing, and sustainability through nature-based learning and practical activities. As part of the project, Heligan will recruit four permanent staff members to form the Heligan Learning team, who will oversee the educational programme.

CEO David Harland expressed his excitement about the project, highlighting that Heligan’s work on nature recovery would now be shared with both visitors and the local community. “Heligan, of course, is an anagram of ‘healing’,” David said, emphasising the garden’s role in promoting wellbeing and sustainability.

Photo Credit: : Studio Arc / Mei Loci 

Over £1.5 Million Investment

The total investment from Heligan for the project is expected to exceed £1.5 million. The new facilities will serve as a permanent resource for the community, supporting a range of activities from agriculture and horticulture to volunteer programmes. Heligan also aims to support community groups with this new space, which will include a large indoor classroom that will become a base for groups like the Heligan Scouts.

“The nature of Heligan and its activities means that it’s open to all, and we will seek to support groups in our community,” said Managing Director Laura Chesterfield.

Support from Cornwall Council

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy, welcomed the news. “I’m pleased to see the team at Heligan harness Good Growth funding to create a new multi-use facility supporting a range of education, skills, and learning activities,” he said, adding that the project will benefit visitors, local residents, and community groups.

This funding success marks a significant step for The Lost Gardens of Heligan as it continues to develop its role as a leader in agriculture, horticulture, and systems change in Cornwall.

Photo Credit: : Studio Arc / Mei Loci