Monday 16th June 2025

Day Ticket

Future Thinking: Beyond the Zeitgeist

A day of visionary ideas, bold conversations, and stories that shape tomorrow.

Day three of the Heligan Homecoming Festival invites you to step beyond the present moment and into a future full of possibility. From 11am, join us for a series of thought-provoking conversations with some of the brightest minds, visionaries, and change-makers leading the way.

Start your journey with Melissa Quinn, Head of Cornwall Spaceport, and Ben Quinn, entrepreneur and founder of Canteen Cornwall, as they discuss the intersection of innovation, business, and community. Explore nature’s connection to the future with Julian Hoffman, acclaimed nature writer, whose stories highlight the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Hear from Simon Constantine, perfumer and founder of Carey’s Secret Garden, and former perfumer for Lush Cosmetics, as he shares his vision for fragrance, sustainability, and the future of ethical business. Mark Stevenson, entrepreneur and futurenaut, will take you on a fascinating journey into the future, exploring the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Alicia Carey, Principal & CEO of Hawkwood: Centre for Future Thinking, will guide us through ideas that inspire progress and positive change, while David Pearl, performer and creative director, offers his unique perspective on the role of creativity in shaping tomorrow’s world.

Charlie Luxton, architectural designer and passionate advocate for sustainable living, brings a design-focused lens to the day’s explorations. With his deep understanding of how the built environment can support thriving futures, Charlie invites us to imagine homes, towns, and landscapes that work in harmony with nature, places built not just for today, but for generations to come.

Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive of the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission, adds her voice to the conversation with bold insights into how systems can shift. From agriculture and rural policy to community resilience and regenerative practice. With clarity and compassion, she explores the urgent and beautiful possibility of a future rooted in care for land and people.

What’s on site

  • We encourage you to arrive early, dwell later, and enjoy the gardens. As you enter the site, you’ll find yourself in a woodland clearing, greeted by our enchanting Dial of Destination, a whimsical guide to help you 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.

Monday 16th June 2025

Evening Ticket

Edward Rowe: Stand-Up in the Garden

A night of Cornish comedy with the one and only Kernow King.

Join us for a night of laughter and levity as Edward Rowe, affectionately known as the Kernow King, brings his side-splitting stand-up routine to the gardens. On the evening of Monday 16th June prepare for an unforgettable performance full of Cornish wit, charm, and plenty of laughs.

From his unique perspective as a Roche boy, Ed will share hilarious stories, sharp observations, and his trademark Cornish humour, all topped off with a selection of his short films. This is a night for anyone who loves to laugh and celebrate the rich culture of Cornwall.

Support act Jo Neary will also join the stage, warming up the crowd.

Bring your sense of humour, settle in, and enjoy an evening filled with good times, great laughs, and plenty of Cornish spirit.

Gardens open from 6pm
Home Stage Starts at 7pm

  • Settle into the evening with a slice in one hand and a local brew in the other. Our Beer & Pizza Night takes place on the terrace, offering freshly made Heligan pizzas paired with a selection of Cornish beers.

    Whether you're dropping in before the show or just here to enjoy good food in great company, this is a laid-back way to soak up the evening atmosphere. Pre-book to secure your spot or simply wander over and join us on the night. £20 pp