Trebah
Trebah is a botanical garden in Cornwall, England, set in a valley that slopes down to a small pebble beach called Polgwidden Cove, overlooking the Helford River. Paths wind through trees and plants from many parts of the world, leading visitors down to the shore, where shallow pools form between the rocks.
The garden was first laid out in the mid-1800s and shaped over time by a succession of owners who each left their mark on the planting. During World War II, the cove was used as a departure point for soldiers crossing to France for D-Day, and concrete structures were built along the shore to support the operation.
The name Polgwidden means 'white pool' in Cornish, likely referring to the pale sand and rocks visible along the shore. The cove was once used for fishing, farming, and gathering oysters, showing how closely it was tied to everyday life in the area.
The beach can only be reached by walking through the garden, as there is no access from the coastal path and boats are not permitted to land. Visiting on a calm day is a good idea, as the path down to the cove is steep and the shore is more enjoyable when conditions are settled.
After World War II, racing car designer Donald Healey had the wartime concrete structures removed from the cove and used stones from the old buildings to rebuild the boathouse that still stands today. This means the boathouse carries material from two very different chapters in the history of the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
