Caerhays Gardens Reopen on 2nd March After Storm Damage

Not One Magnolia Lost: Caerhays Reopens 2nd March

Spring is set to return in full colour at Caerhays as the gardens reopen to the public on Monday 2nd March, with every magnolia tree on the estate surviving Storm Goretti.

The later-than-usual opening follows disruption caused by the severe winter storm, which brought widespread damage to gardens and landscapes across Cornwall. However, at Caerhays, home to one of the most important historic collections of magnolias in the UK, the ancient trees have emerged unscathed and are now beginning to flower once more.

For many across Cornwall, the first magnolia blooms are seen as a traditional sign that spring has arrived. This year, visitors will again be able to witness that moment, with the gardens preparing to burst into colour and fragrance despite the challenging start to the year.

Storm Damage Across the Estate

“Hurricane Goretti on the 8th of January brought down hundreds of trees in the Castle gardens and thousands over the estate as a whole,” said Charles Williams, owner of the Caerhays Estate. “Unlike the even worse hurricane of January 1991 we now have access to much more capable and efficient machinery to clear up the devastation.”

Charles added: “Our own team of four gardeners and two other very local contractors have worked superbly in foul weather conditions to clear the mess enough for us to open to the public on the 2nd of March. Visitors will need gum boots, but the worst of the damage has been cleared and the Magnolia season is starting in earnest now.”

A Nationally Recognised Collection

Caerhays is internationally recognised for its collection of magnolias. Many were introduced to Britain through historic plant-hunting expeditions and have been growing in the sheltered Cornish valley for more than a century.

The coming weeks are expected to bring some of the earliest and most dramatic displays of magnolia bloom anywhere in the country.

The gardens will be open daily from 2nd March and will close with the biennial charity fete on 14th June. Caerhays Castle will also open for guided tours from 2nd March.

Caerhays Castle and Gardens form part of the wider Caerhays Estate on Cornwall’s south coast and hold a Plant Heritage National Collection of Magnolias.

For more information, visit the official website at visit.caerhays.co.uk.

📷Magnolia tree in bloom at Caerhays Castle Garens, Cornwall ©Exposure Photo Agency