Chygurno Gardens (Lamorna, England)

This is another one of those gardens in England that requires lots of nerve and careful footing. Even more surprising is that this garden is tended by an elderly couple.

The house was built in 1908 by two suffragettes from London who founded the Women’s Social and Political Union. The house was used as a refuge for women leaving prison. The house had been empty when Robert and Carol Moule moved into it in 1997. The following year, they began work on the neglected garden. 

Chygurno is located in a leafy neighborhood with very narrow streets. Our tour bus could only go so far, so we had to park and walk a good distance (about 1/2 mile). It was fun, though, and there were neat things to see along the way. 

Like this -

 

Getting closer and the last stretch was uphill -

The garden is on a steep hillside that leads down to Lamorna Cove. The first thing Robert and Carol did was to install terraces, pathways and staircases in order to safely navigate the terrain. The garden drops immediately from the back terrace of the house. 

Views from the terrace -

Exploring the trails down the hillside -

Such an exhilarating garden and well worth the hikes!

(Visited May 17, 2025) 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy