An historic maze that is a significant part of Cornish horticultural heritage has been regenerated at Glendurgan Gardens in Mawnan Smith.

The laurel maze at the National Trust property was planted by the Fox family in 1833, a copy of one they saw in a garden in Bath.

Despite its popularity, it was cut down 14 years ago after it fell into disrepair – and remained closed for several years.

The property's reception manager, Mick Bell, said: "The Fox family were Quakers and they created the maze because they had 12 children and obviously they needed something to occupy them.

"It's been here ever since but it had to be cut down as it was so worn out from children going through the holes!"

Now the cherry laurel has regrown and after extensive pruning is now in perfect condition for today's child visitors to Glendurgan.

Finding your way through the maze takes about 20 minutes, along paths lined with three foot six bushes of laurel.

"It's for the children," added Mr Bell.

"They reach the little hut in the middle and their parents can watch from outside, because it's built on a slope."

Head gardener John Lanyon, who restored the maze, said: "The maze was in a real mess and there had been a lot of ground movement – there were lots of holes and hummocks and the hedges were all leaning, because the gardens here are on a slope. It was horrendous!

"We pruned it for three weeks and ended up with almost nothing, so we decided to cut it – it took just a day rather than three weeks.

"Cherry laurel is very quick to grow so it grew back fairly quickly, but it took a couple of years before it was thick enough.

"We also did extensive work on the paths, using a special shoot to put aggregate and gravel in and smooth the paths."

To visit the maze call Glendurgan Gardens at Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5JZ, Tel 01326 250906.