'Heligan' - meaning, 'the willows' (Cornish).
Pentewan is also the home of Heligan Gardens (as featured in the Channel 4 programme, 'The Lost Gardens of Heligan', and BBC 'Gardeners' World'), which is one of the newest and most popular Cornish attractions. It can be reached by car, or by cycle path from the campsite, and sits on a hill top overlooking St Austell bay and Mevagissey.
Originally, Heligan was the site of the local manor house, and the gardens were renowned as one of the oldest and greatest in the South-West of England. However, since the early part of this century, no-one had heard of or seen them. Incredibly though, they were rediscovered in 1990, practically untouched, and since 1991 work has been progressing to restore them to their original magnificence. Throughout this process, the gardens have been open to the public, enabling them to share in this new project, enjoy the changes as they happen, and marvel at some of the fantastic discoveries along the way. These include a complete Georgian and Victorian water system and working pumps, a 17th century beacon, one of the first kiwi fruit plants in England, an original Joseph Paxton glasshouse, and a whole 'lost valley'!
Heligan gardens is well worth a visit, with several miles of formal gardens, working gardens, and landscaped valleys (the 'Woodland Walk', 'The Jungle', and 'The Lost Valley') to explore and lose yourself in - but bear in mind, if you want to see it all, you'll need at least a day!
The incredible story and history of Heligan is told in more detail on their own website www.heligan.com