Saturday 14th June 2025

Habitats and homes: Exploring our interconnected and inspiring relationship with nature

The Opening Day Ticket for Homecoming Festival

From 10am, Homecoming Festival officially opens its gates to all. Over at The Heligan Home Stage, the morning is rich with conversation and inspiration. A warm welcome awaits from Geraint Richards, Cornwall’s High Sheriff, joined by Managing Director Laura Smit-Chesterfield, the guiding hands at the heart of Heligan. Together with Matthew Shaw, they will open the day with words of hope, heritage, and celebration, marking the beginning of a festival rooted in nature, story, and homecoming.

Throughout the day, hear from an incredible lineup of voices, including Kurt Jackson, Erica McAlister, Marie Derome, Philip Marsden, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, with a special and intimate talk hosted by rewilding champion Derek Gow, alongside Heligan’s Head of Estates, Alasdair Moore.

Immersive art walks with Sue and Pete Hill, the visionary sculptors behind the iconic Mud Maid and Giant’s Head, as well as Wildflower Walks with the knowledgeable Dan Ryan. Dive deeper into the Heligan story through our inspiring drop-in Experience Talks, hosted by the estate’s very own team of passionate storytellers.

What’s on site

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

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

    10:00 - Home Stage / Festival Area Open

    10:30 - Home Stage - Laura Chesterfield & Matthew Shaw

    10:45 - Home Stage - Geraint Richards

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

    11:15 - Home Stage - Henry Meacock

    11:45 – Home Stage – Marie Derome

    12:30 - Home Stage - Erica McAlister

    13:00 - Wildflower Walk with Dan Ryan

    13:15 - Home Stage - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall & Derek Gow

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

    14:45 - Home Stage - Philip Marsden

    15:30 - Home Stage - Kurt Jackson

    16:30 - Catrina Davies

    17:15 - Natasha Carthew 

    18:00 - Home Stage -  Pete & Sue Hill

    19:00 - Close

    Our 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.

Saturday 14th June 2025

Your ticket will also provide access to our evening - No place like home: Cornish tales of courage and creativity

An evening rooted in story, place, and imagination—join us as we celebrate the spirit of Cornwall through the voices of those who shape it.

Beloved artists Sue and Pete Hill, creators of Heligan’s iconic Mud Maid, take to the Field Stage for a heartwarming and inspiring evening of conversation. As long-time collaborators with The Lost Gardens of Heligan, their creative legacy is woven deep into its landscape—and there's no better duo to guide us through the theme of 'home.'

Hosted by Heligan’s own Matthew Shaw, the evening also features Catrina Davies, author of the powerful and poignant Homesick: Why I Live in a Shed and Natasha Carthew, Nero Award shortlisted Cornish poet and novelist whose work fiercely champions rural voices and working-class creativity.

It’s a truly special way to spend a Saturday night - Thoughtful, joyful, and deeply connected to the place we call home.

  • Each Heligan Homecoming evening will see the Heligan Hospitality Team firing up the BBQ.