Heligan to trial free-range pricing

The Lost Gardens of Heligan has launched a new initiative allowing visitors to set their own admission price during January and February as part of a new ‘free range pricing’ experiment.

Free range pricing will run every day from now through to the end of February, including February half-term and the Global Pasty Championships.

On arrival, visitors will be asked to choose how much they would like to contribute to Heligan’s pioneering nature and learning programmes. Visitors can still book their visit in advance, and will pay on arrival, deciding their contribution at the till point.

The contribution will go towards projects like Heligan’s beaver reintroduction, a successful programme that saw babies – or kits – born on the Heligan estate last year (2025). Water voles and glow worms are also doing well on the estate thanks to Heligan reintroductions.

in 2026, the Heligan team will also be introducing a new red squirrel habitat and breeding programme as well as tree-planting and outdoor education programmes promoting connection to nature for young people.

Chief executive, David Harland, said: “We have seen big shifts in tourism habits as well as significant challenges across the sector, so we have decided to trial this model to test whether it could work for us and other tourism businesses.

“We are confident that we have a strong enough relationship with our audience and local community that they will recognise the value of the work we do and contribute generously.”