One of the most magnificent Spring Gardens in the UK is to open its gates to the public once more on February 18.
Visitors to Caerhays Castle One of will be able to explore the magical 140-acre English Heritage Grade II Listed woodland gardens and enjoy its stunning NCCPG National Magnolia Collection, made up of over 600 varieties and if you are staying in one of our holiday cottages you can enjoy unlimited free access to the gardens during your stay.
The collection features the world famous Champion Magnolia Campbellii, a stunning giant flowering tree originally from the Himalayas, that produces giant pink blooms of up to 35cms diameter.
It is said, when the Caerhays Champion Magnolia Campbellii Tree is in bloom, spring will have officially arrived in Cornwall – which is earlier than anywhere else in the country.
The beautiful gardens are also home to the world famous x williamsii Camellias and a spectacular range of rhododendrons.
Thanks to Spring’s early arrival in Cornwall, due to its westerly location and temperate climate, it will be one of the first opportunities in the UK to see such spectacular Spring gardens in full bloom.
Also on display will be the new Isla Rose Plantation, featuring Mediterranean and subtropical shrubs, grown for the first time at Caerhays. The new clearing will provide a stunning view of the sea for visitors looking down on to the Isla Rose Plantation from the path above.
The gardens, which were named ‘Garden of The Year’ in 2016, by the Historic House Association attract visitors from all over the world who are attracted by its high quality, beauty and spectacular setting on the South Coast of Cornwall.
Spring garden visitors can enjoy walks down to the beach from the gardens, as well as a Cornish cream tea in the castle’s tea-rooms. The improved new shop at Caerhays includes a larger plant sales area and a selection of garden structures from Harrod Horticulture. It also sells new home and lifestyle products, gardening accessories, gift ideas for all ages and some of Caerhays Castles own products too.
The historic gardens are the lifelong passion of the owner of Caerhays Castle, Charles Williams. Charles also owns and runs one of the biggest plant mail order companies in the UK, Burncoose Nurseries, which has won many medals at Chelsea.
Charles is also the recipient of the coveted Victoria Medal of honour from the RHS and will be giving a lecture, entitled ‘Magnolias at Caerhays’ on Match 15 [ At Caerhays Castle http://www.caerhays.co.uk/news.cfm?aID=101647&return=current%5Fevents%2Ecfm%3F].
* Caerhays gardens are open from Feb 18- June 16, daily from 10am – 5pm (last entry at 4pm). Adults entry £9. For locals with TR1, TR2, PL25 or PL26 postcodes, a special entrance discount applies with £2.00 off garden entry per person throughout the 2017 garden season which runs until Friday 18th June (note that Caerhays Castle itself is not open to the public until Monday 18th March and closes on Friday 14th June).