So much more than just a plant nursery, the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery is a visual treat and a plant lovers heavenly day out. The nursery and glasshouses are filled with the most beautiful plants for both the garden and house, including trees, roses and a super collection of plants suitable for the specific microclimate that we have here in Cornwall. Displays are made all the more enticing with stunning examples, well curated clusters of pots, watering cans and outdoor furniture, with parts of the garden to explore too, all backed up with helpful advice from the nursery’s horticulturalists.

Step inside the glasshouse and you’ll find all manner of succulents and house plants, and also tables at which to pause for a cup of tea, or lunch. On a rainy summers day there is little nicer than sitting among the plants listening to the rain drumming on the glass roof. On a sunny day, coffee outside at one of the chairs dotted around the garden makes for a peaceful five-minute breather, before heading back into the gorgeously stocked shop – if you can resist leaving without purchasing, you’ve stronger will than me.

The nursery is situated in the heart of The Duchy, near to Restormel Castle at Lostwithiel. The Duchy of Cornwall itself is a private estate established by Edward III in 1337 to provide independence to his son and heir, Prince Edward. A charter ruled that each future Duke of Cornwall would be the eldest surviving son of the Monarch and heir to the throne – before he ascended the throne, the previous Duke of Cornwall, HRH The Prince of Wales was the longest standing holder of the title, with the current Prince of Wales now at the helm. Part of the Duchy Estate, the nursery started life as a slate quarry before selling plants to the public in the mid 1970s before growing to become one of the largest plant nurseries in the south-west.

The nursery is open for plant and shop sales. The café (featuring a botanical mural by local artist Florence Super) and brand-new Orangery Restaurant (opened by Wills himself last summer) is open for indoor and outdoor dining, as is the beautiful tipi on the top terrace with stunning views across to Restormel.