A Fresh Look at the Pencalenick Glasshouse
Tucked just behind the Head Gardener’s Office, the Pencalenick Glasshouse has long been one of Heligan’s hidden treasures. Recently restored and newly painted, it now gleams in the Cornish light with a renewed elegance. This fresh chapter is more than cosmetic, reflecting Heligan’s dedication to care and craftsmanship, and to preserving heritage alongside living horticulture.
The most recent work was carried out with great skill and attention by members of the
Maintenance team. Mike our painter with an eye for detail, brought fresh life to the
glasshouse with his careful brushwork, while Ian, our carpenter, ensured the structure
was sound and true. Together their craftsmanship has not only renewed the building’s
appearance but also secured its strength for the seasons ahead.
(Mike and Ian)
When first restored in 1998, the glasshouse was home almost exclusively to scented
pelargoniums. Their sweet fragrance made it a place of memory and delight, recalling
Mediterranean warmth and sunlit rooms. Today, Pencalenick is evolving into something even more dynamic: a space where Heligan’s mixed collection of tender plants can be housed, nurtured, and displayed through the seasons. It now serves as a support system for the Italian Garden, allowing pots to be rotated outdoors in summer and returned under glass in cooler months, keeping the garden vibrant and ever-changing.
The glasshouse’s role will continue to grow. Plans are in place to expand the collection within, while the borders outside are set to be revitalised, extending its influence beyond the glass walls. September will bring a particular highlight, as Pencalenick becomes home to Heligan’s Nerine collection, generously donated from the renowned gardens at Exbury. Their luminous late-season blooms will add a final flourish of colour just as autumn begins to draw in.
There is, however, a practical twist in its story. As the Maintenance team prepares to refurbish the Melon House, Pencalenick will temporarily serve as a space to grow plants for the Productive Gardens. For a season or two, tender plants from the ornamental team will be kept behind the scenes until the Melon House is complete. It is hoped this arrangement will last only through the spring and summer of 2026, after which the Pencalenick Glasshouse will once again return to its evolving role as a showcase of tender collections.
With its crisp paintwork, renewed light, and layered purpose, the Pencalenick Glasshouse
stands as a symbol of Heligan’s spirit. It is not a static relic but a living part of the estate,
adapting to the needs of the moment yet always returning to beauty and care.
