Heligan, seat of the Tremayne family for more than 400 years, is one of the most mysterious estates in England. At the end of the 19th century, its thousand acres were at their peak and the gardens were one of Cornwall's gems. But after the war and the devastating hurricane of 1990, the Tremayne family abandoned the and the gardens should have been consigned to history. However, events conspired to unite new pioneers to save the gardens from obscurity.

The house that led to the garden's formation is no longer part of the property and the main entrance is now in the rhododendron garden. The restored vegetable garden, the small valley of sub-tropical plants and the 'Lost Valley' are all part of the garden's mystique. Add to this the impressive rockery, the grotto, the wishing well and the Italian garden, and it's easy to see why the gardens at Heligan are one of England's greatest horticultural treasures.

This amazing series follows 12 months in the life of the Lost Gardens of Heligan throughout the year and reveals what it takes to maintain this wonderland to such high standards.