The hotter, drier terraces at the top favour South African and Australian plants, those at the bottom provide the humidity that suits flora from New Zealand and South America.

The diversity is greater even than the Southern Mediterranean. Fringing the lush grid of paths criss-crossing the gardens are cacti, date palms and giant, lipstick-red flame trees; rarities like Lobster Claw, great white spires of Echia, brilliant Furcraea, Strelitzia and shocking pink Pelargonium.

Statues symbolic of natural forces punctuate the gardens. The shipwrecked figureheads in Valhalla museum (near the helicopter landing pad) are reminders of the ferocity of local storms that the plants have survived. The layout begins with the original plantings around the Priory and ends with the more recent Mediterranean Garden. All-in-all, this Cornwall attraction is a horticultural world tour condensed into just 17 acres, and visitable within a two-hour period.

Open daily 10-4. Adults £8.50. Children under 14 free.