Friday 20th June 2025

Nature by Design: artistic exploration and deep history

Join us for a day of captivating conversation, insight, and artistic exploration as we welcome a remarkable group of guests for a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the human experience.

Once again, the Home Stage will provide a backdrop for wonderful conversation; an inspiring day of voices and visionaries, each offering a unique perspective on life, landscape, and legacy.

Be welcomed by Petroc Trelawny, BBC Radio 3 presenter and author of Trelawny’s Cornwall, an exploration of landscape and belonging, as he brings stories to life that lead us into the heart of culture and place.

Step into the world of gardens and green design with Arit Anderson, celebrated garden designer and presenter of Gardeners’ World, as she explores the harmony between people and plant and uncovers the beauty and meaning woven into green spaces.

Reflect on life, death, and the spaces in between with writer and modern undertaker Rupert Callender, whose work reimagines rituals of farewell with honesty and heart. Pair this reflection with extraordinary insights shared by Dame Sue Black, one of the UK’s foremost forensic anthropologists - a lifetime spent reading the silent language of the human body opens a window into life, memory, and identity.

Journey through imagination and form on a Sculpture Walk with visionary artists Sue and Pete Hill, the creative minds behind Heligan’s iconic Mud Maid and Giant’s Head. Hear firsthand how nature and storytelling have shaped their work.

What’s on site

  • 9:00 – Gardens open to ticket holders and garden visitors

    9:30 - Heligan Sculptures Stroll with Sue and Pete Hill

    10:00 Home Stage / Festival Area Open

    11:00 - Home Stage - Rupert Callender

    11:00 - Unveiling Heligan: A Journey Through its Stories and Secrets

    11:45 - Home Stage - Dame Sue Black

    12:30 - Home Stage - Panel discussion with Dame Sue Black and Rupert Callender  

    13:00 - Heligan Sculptures Stroll with Sue and Pete Hill

    14:00 - Unveiling Heligan: A Journey Through its Stories and Secrets

    14:30 - Home Stage - Petroc Trelawny

    15:30 - Home Stage - Arit Anderson

    17:30 - Home Stage closes

    Our Yoga session, walks and talks in bold are free for ticket holders. You'll be prompted to book these sessions at our checkout.

  • We encourage you to arrive early, soak up the festival atmosphere and explore the day’s experiences and immersive moments.

    Whether you’re drawn to the rich history of Heligan, captivated by horticulture, intrigued by the poetry of Simon Armitage, or simply here to enjoy a magical day out with your family, there’s a path for everyone. And sometimes, the most meaningful journey is the one where you lose yourself a little. In June, the gardens are in full bloom, offering quiet corners, hidden trails, and the kind of beauty that makes you feel, somehow, at home.

    Beyond the stage, the festival continues to unfold across the landscape. Walkways meander through meadows alive with colour and pollinators. Pop-up musicians surprise and delight around quiet corners. Wellbeing spaces offer pause, reflection, and a chance to reconnect.

  • Family fun awaits in the vibrant Play Meadow, where little adventurers and grown-up explorers alike can enjoy archery, axe throwing, face painting, bubbles galore, and more.

  • When it's time to refuel, the Heligan Home Kitchen is open all day, serving delicious home-cooked dishes and soul-nourishing refreshments in a setting that feels like... well, home.