Glendurgan Maze

Glendurgan Maze is a cherry laurel hedge maze and part of Glendurgan Garden, a large subtropical garden in Cornwall, England. It is maintained by the National Trust conservation charity.

History of Glendurgan Maze

The maze is perhaps the most popular part of this extensive garden, which is comprised of three valleys full of lush vegetation and exotic plants and flowers. The garden was first developed in the 1820s by Alfred Fox, who owned the land, although the estate was eventually passed on to the National Trust in 1962 by the Fox family.

The maze was conceived and built in 1833 and some sources claim its shape was modelled on a coiled serpent, although it was largely based on the labyrinth in Sydney Gardens, in the English city of Bath. Sitting on a slight slope (there are 173 steps within the maze), it’s constructed of cherry laurel (used due to the plant’s durability) and four palm trees, one in each corner of the maze, plus a small thatched pavilion in the centre, marking the point that visitors need to find their way to.

Glendurgan Maze today

The garden and maze are a popular tourist attraction and exploring them can easily make a full day out. As well as the maze and varied flora found across the valleys, Glendurgan also houses a beach, olive grove, apple orchard, and cherry orchard.

Getting to Glendurgan Maze

Glendurgan Garden and its maze are in Cornwall, on the southwestern tip of England. Falmouth Town rail station is five miles away and can easily be reached from Truro rail station, located further north in Cornwall. The number 35 bus can be picked up a short distance from Falmouth Town station, which drops visitors at The Moor, a 15-minute walk from Glendurgan. If driving to Glendurgan, take the A39 road towards Falmouth. At junction A394 there will be signs directing towards the garden.