COTEHELE’S famous Christmas garland is going platinum this year as the spectacular 60ft dried flower display celebrates its 70th anniversary.

The attraction has decorated the Great Hall at the National Trust property in the Tamar Valley every Christmas since 1956, becoming one of the region’s best-known festive traditions.

Around 30,000 people visit each year to see the installation, which for many marks the start of Christmas.

What began as an idea for an evergreen swag seven decades ago has grown into a major attraction, involving months of planning and the work of staff and volunteers.

Head Gardener Dave Bouch hanging the flowers harvested from the garden at Cotehele for the Christmas Garland.
Head Gardener Dave Bouch hanging the flowers harvested from the garden at Cotehele for the Christmas Garland. (Steve Haywood)

Visitor experience manager Rich Burrow said: “The anniversary marks an unbelievable achievement. 70 years of the garland represents hundreds of thousands of flowers, countless hours of work and immeasurable festive joy brought to the Valley over the decades. We couldn’t be prouder to be carrying on this tradition.”

The display takes 10 days to create, with the garden team and around 30 volunteers working together. Visitors can watch between November 9 and 19, as the 60ft installation is assembled inside the Great Hall.

Dave Bouch, National Trust head gardener for the Tamar Valley, said: “There are dozens of steps but we have it down to a fine art.

“After a year of preparation, we form the body of the garland out of fresh pittosporum. Then that ‘worm’ is hoisted into the eaves of the Great Hall before it’s decorated from scaffold towers with our home-grown dried flowers.

“It’s been built almost the same way for decades by generations of gardeners, which is quite something to think about.”

Passing specialist knowledge to the next generation is also important. Dave said welcoming new team members, including colleague Ethan, was a reminder of the need to keep the tradition alive.

“After all, it’s his generation that will help create the garland in the decades to come. I hope he’s bringing his notebook!”

This year’s platinum theme has influenced the flower choices, with honesty and German statice selected to give the display a metallic glint.

The garland in the Great Hall at Cotehele
The garland in the Great Hall at Cotehele (Rich Burrow)

Gardener Kayleigh Lyle said: “This year, we had to go platinum. I wanted the garland to gently glint like the metal, and the Honesty and German Statice we’ve added should bring that shine.

“What could be more of a celebration of 70 years than a garland worth more than gold?”

The work starts long before November. Kayleigh said: “The garland is a whole year in the making – we chose the colours and sent away for the seeds last December.

“We’re so grateful for all the staff and volunteers who have made this incredible tradition possible for seven whole decades.”

The finished garland will be on display from November 21 until January 5, 2027. Cotehele will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

An exhibition will celebrate its history, while visitors can explore decorated ground-floor rooms, enjoy a family Christmas at Cotehele Mill and follow an interactive trail through the gardens.

The celebrations will also include a traditional Wassail in the orchards on December 19, from 11am.

The garland can be viewed daily from 10.30am, with Christmas celebrations running from 10am to 4pm.