New learning centre at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near St Austell, has announced a successful funding application to create a visionary education centre and programme at the heart of its 200-acre historic estate and gardens. 

Heligan Seed Pod (Image: Supplied) This project, Heligan Learning Seed Pod, has received £300,000 towards the overall cost 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 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 Heligan Learning team to set up and run the educational programme.

“Our current work focuses on nature recovery,” said CEO David Harland. “And we are excited to share our best practices and learnings with the visitors and local communities alike.

“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.”

A picture showing what the Seed Pod will look like (Image: Supplied)

The total investment from Heligan for the project will be more than £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,” added managing director Laura Chesterfield. “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.”