Mawnan Smith, nr Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5JZ

This valley garden of great beauty was created in the 1820s and developed over many years by the Fox family. Running down to the tiny village of Durgan and its beach, the garden has many fine trees and rare and exotic plants, with outstanding spring displays of magnolias and camellias. In their season glorious displays of wild flowers carpet the valley slopes. The laurel maze, dating from 1833, puzzles young and old. An original cob and thatch schoolroom has been reconstructed. The house is privately occupied.