The Lost Gardens of Heligan, a distinguished 200-acre estate nestled on the picturesque southern coast of Cornwall near Mevagissey, has recently achieved a landmark recognition as the first visitor garden in England to secure B Corp certification. This prestigious accolade underscores Heligan’s unwavering dedication to sustainable practices and represents a pivotal moment in the realms of tourism and horticulture. The B Corp certification is renowned for its stringent evaluation process, assessing businesses on their impact across governance, workers, community, environment, and customer domains. It forms part of a global initiative aimed at redefining business success to equally value social and environmental performance alongside profit. Heligan’s accomplishment serves as a testament to its commitment to a purpose-driven business model that seeks to benefit both people and the planet.
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The journey towards obtaining B Corp certification was a comprehensive and challenging endeavour for Heligan. Over an 18-month period, the estate underwent a meticulous assessment process that examined every facet of its operations. Emerging with an impressive score of 91.3, Heligan not only met but exceeded the B Corp standards within the UK tourism sector. This achievement reflects the estate’s steadfast commitment to sustainability and its pioneering efforts to lead by example in the field. Fundamental to Heligan’s certification was its robust focus on biodiversity and conservation. The estate has initiated numerous projects aimed at bolstering local biodiversity, including the reintroduction of glow-worms, water voles, and beavers. These initiatives enrich the natural environment and serve as educational tools, fostering awareness among visitors about the critical importance of conservation.
Heligan’s dedication to community engagement is another vital element of its B Corp certification. The estate supports a Cub and Scout group, offering young people opportunities to engage with the gardens and cultivate leadership skills. Moreover, Heligan employs over 100 local individuals, ensuring equitable wages and maintaining a zero gender pay gap, thereby exemplifying its commitment to social responsibility. The estate’s educational focus is poised to expand with the development of the Heligan Learning Seed Pod, an education hub aimed at promoting agriculture, horticulture, and systems change. This initiative promises to provide significant learning opportunities for both visitors and locals, nurturing a deeper understanding of sustainable practices and their importance in contemporary society.
The recognition as a B Corp follows Heligan’s notable success in the Cornwall Tourism Awards, where it was lauded as a leading wildlife-friendly business. This accolade, alongside the B Corp certification, cements Heligan’s reputation as a trailblazer in the sphere of sustainable tourism. Laura Chesterfield, managing director of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, expressed her immense pride in this achievement, stating, “Joining the global B Corp community is a tremendous honour, and being the very first visitor garden in England to be acknowledged is particularly special. At Heligan, we envision a world where everyone understands their relationship with nature. From the beginning, we have pursued purpose, and the B Corp certification process has prompted us to delve even deeper.” Sir Tim Smit, founder of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the significance of conscientious business practices. “Heligan is rightly proud to have attained B Corp status. The intense focus on how we can work and live better by being mindful of the holistic wellbeing of everything is a foundational step towards a new way of conducting business.”
The attainment of B Corp certification by The Lost Gardens of Heligan signifies a landmark achievement not only for the estate itself but also for the broader tourism and horticulture sectors. It sets a new benchmark for what it means to be a purpose-driven enterprise, illustrating the potential for tourism attractions to prioritise sustainability and community engagement. As more businesses emulate Heligan’s pioneering example, the future of tourism appears increasingly auspicious and sustainable.
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