Spring has sprung in January as Cornish gardens gets set to reopen
It'll be the first full spring season at Caerhays since the pandemic began
Spring has sprung early for a Cornish gardens as it gets ready to reopen for its first full season since the pandemic began.
For the first time in three years, the team at Caerhays Castle and Spring Gardens are delighted to be throwing open their doors and welcoming visitors to a full spring season on the south Cornish coast.
Marketing manager Lucinda Rimmington said: "We can’t wait to welcome people back. In 2020 we opened very briefly before the first full lockdown, and in 2021 we were only open during the period of local exercise until the rule of six was introduced, so we’re absolutely thrilled to finally be opening for a normal season and welcoming everyone to enjoy the beautiful gardens here at Caerhays.”
Due to the temperate climate, spring arrives in Cornwall much earlier than the rest of the UK, and the first signs of colour have already been spotted at Caerhays as ‘Todd’s Fortyniner’ magnolia produced its first blooms on 11th January 2022. “This is a good omen for the rest of the season, so it won’t be long until the estate erupts into a riot of colour – and we anticipate the gardens being more colourful than ever!”
As well as appealing to plant and nature lovers with its nationally recognised collection of magnolias and other spectacular spring blooms, the historic gardens now feature a nature trail for children.
Specifically designed to help little ones engage with local wildlife and plant life, and help them explore in a fun, interactive way, it encourages children to spot different woodland creatures hiding along the buggy-friendly route.
Lucinda added: “The trail was originally launched in 2020, so only handful of people got to enjoy it before we had to close. However, we had really positive feedback during the brief window we were open, and with our ‘children go free’ offer during half term week, we’re sure lots of little ones will get to enjoy the trail this year!”
“Various restrictions and lockdowns have made many of us realise just how much we appreciate the great outdoors and beautiful green spaces. When so much of our lives have been put on hold, the gardens are such a tranquil, therapeutic place to come and see life still going on,” she continued.
Caerhays Castle and Gardens has recently been featured on Series 2 of Rick Stein’s Cornwall, and will also be featured in A Year By the Sea on Channel 5. “It’s been such a pleasure to be featured on these programmes, so if you aren’t able to visit or have been missing the gardens, be sure to catch us on your TV screen!”
The gardens at Caerhays reopen on 14th February, and Caerhays Castle reopens for guided tours on 14th March. Caerhays will also hold their charity summer fête for the first time in three years on 12th June.