Cornwall


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Glendurgan-1-RB-2019.jpg" alt="magnolias in bloom at Cornwall's Glendurgan garden" class="wp-image-22454" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Glendurgan-1-RB-2019.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Glendurgan-1-RB-2019-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Glendurgan-1-RB-2019-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Glendurgan-1-RB-2019-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Glendurgan-1-RB-2019-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The moment Cornish magnolias flower, spring has arrived. And in Cornwall, a project run by The Nare Hotel and <a aria-label="The Great Gardens of Cornwall (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.instagram.com/great_gardens_of_cornwall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Great Gardens of Cornwall</a>, Spring is declared on the day that all six champion magnolias campbellii trees have flowered with 50 blooms a piece.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/High-Sheriff-of-Cornwall-Sam-Galsworthy-Spring-Story-2025-Trewithen-Estate-Copyright-The-Nare-Hotel-2025-6-1000x667.png" alt="his year, the declaration was made at Trewithen Estate, home of the champion Magnolia with Sam Galsworthy, owner of Trewithen Estate and current High Sheriff of Cornwall." class="wp-image-36368" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/High-Sheriff-of-Cornwall-Sam-Galsworthy-Spring-Story-2025-Trewithen-Estate-Copyright-The-Nare-Hotel-2025-6-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/High-Sheriff-of-Cornwall-Sam-Galsworthy-Spring-Story-2025-Trewithen-Estate-Copyright-The-Nare-Hotel-2025-6-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/High-Sheriff-of-Cornwall-Sam-Galsworthy-Spring-Story-2025-Trewithen-Estate-Copyright-The-Nare-Hotel-2025-6-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/High-Sheriff-of-Cornwall-Sam-Galsworthy-Spring-Story-2025-Trewithen-Estate-Copyright-The-Nare-Hotel-2025-6.png 1499w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The champion Magnolia with Sam Galsworthy, owner of Trewithen Estate and current High Sheriff of Cornwall</figcaption></figure>



<p>The head gardener at each of the chosen six Great Gardens sends in a daily report (and photos!) of their champion magnolia campbellii tree, as the buds begin to shed their outer winter jackets to come into full bloom. </p>



<p>This year, the declaration was made at Trewithen Estate, home of the champion Magnolia with Sam Galsworthy, owner of Trewithen Estate and current High Sheriff of Cornwall, above at Trewithen Estate.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-3.jpeg" alt="magnolia in bloom at Tregothnan Gardens Cornwall © Emily Whitfield Wicks" class="wp-image-22444" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-3-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-3-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tregothnan Gardens Cornwall © Emily Whitfield Wicks</figcaption></figure>



<p>And yesterday, 24 February 2025, the <a aria-label="annual declaration of Spring (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.narehotel.co.uk/location/cornwall/springstory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">annual declaration of Spring</a> in Cornwall has happened, almost two weeks later than last year (when it was declared on 16 February 2024) and similar to the last few years when it was 27 Feb 2023, 22 Feb 2022, and 26 Feb 2021). </p>



<p>Thanks to the gulf stream and our mild weather, spring arrives in Cornwall around a full month earlier than the astronomical start of spring (which is the 20 March) and much earlier than gardens across the rest of the country. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-of-the-great-gardens-of-cornwall-were-counting-magnolia-blossoms-for-the-spring-story-count-and-how-to-visit">Which of the Great Gardens of Cornwall were counting magnolia blossoms for the Spring Story count, and how to visit?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trebah-1.jpeg" alt="magnolia in flower at Trebah garden" class="wp-image-22447" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trebah-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trebah-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trebah-1-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trebah-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trebah-1-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Trebah Gardens © Emily Whitfield Wicks</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trebah-garden-mawnan-smith"><a aria-label="Trebah Garden (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trebah Garden</a>, Mawnan Smith</h2>



<p>This glorious steep-sided sub-tropical garden winds it way through the 100-year-old rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias which create a riot of pinks, until suddenly you pop out on the private beach on the banks of the unspoilt tidal river, the Helford. Rated as one of the best 80 gardens in the world, Trebah is often named by the people we interview as a personal favourite. Look out for the open air theatre and extensive children&#8217;s playground as well as the maze.</p>



<p><strong>Visit</strong>: Trebah is open all year round and every day from 9.30am, no pre-booking required. There is a café and the site is dog-friendly; not suitable for manual wheelchairs but you can pre-book a Tramper mobility scooter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lost-gardens-of-heligan-pentewan-st-austell"><a aria-label="The Lost Gardens of Heligan (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.heligan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lost Gardens of Heligan</a>, Pentewan, St Austell</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Heligan-1.jpeg" alt="full bloom champion magnolia at the lost gardens of heligan, cornwall" class="wp-image-22442" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Heligan-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Heligan-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Heligan-1-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Heligan-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Heligan-1-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lost Gardens of Heligan Cornwall © Emily Whitfield Wicks</figcaption></figure>



<p>Experience the awakening of their fabulous collection of historic shrubs and explore the ‘National Collection of Camellias and Rhododendrons introduced to Heligan pre-1920’ &#8211; Heligan&#8217;s expert gardeners have helped produce a self-guided trail that will take you on a journey around the garden, taking in beauties like the tree above &#8211; <a href="https://www.heligan.com/events/events-at-heligan/garden-trail-of-heritage-camellias-and-rhododendrons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starts 2 March</a>.</p>



<p><strong>Visit:</strong> Heligan is open daily, all year round. Dog- and child-friendly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trewidden-gardens-penzance"><a aria-label="Trewidden Gardens (opens in a new tab)" href="https://trewidden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trewidden Gardens</a>, Penzance</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewidden.jpeg" alt="magnolia at trewidden garden Cornwall" class="wp-image-22445" style="aspect-ratio:1;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewidden.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewidden-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewidden-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewidden-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewidden-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Famous for magnolias and camellias, this beautiful and tranquil 15 acre garden with a tea room, plant and gift sales is near to Penzance. Forming part of the historic&nbsp;<a href="http://bolithoestates.co.uk/">Bolitho Estate,</a>&nbsp;Trewidden Garden is also home to Trewidden House, a resplendent 19th&nbsp;Century manor house, available to rent for the last time in 2024.</p>



<p><strong>Visit:</strong> Gardens open February &#8211; October, 10.30 &#8211; 5.30pm ( last admission 4.30pm), café and tearooms open 9.30 &#8211; 4.30pm. Dogs welcome on leads.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caerhays-castle-gardens-gorran-st-austell"><a aria-label="Caerhays Castle Gardens (opens in a new tab)" href="https://visit.caerhays.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caerhays Castle Gardens</a>, Gorran, St Austell</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/Magnolia_230222_sb16-1000x666.jpeg" alt="Caerhays Castle Gardens, Gorran, St Austell in Cornwall magnolias in full bloom" class="wp-image-29615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/Magnolia_230222_sb16-1000x666.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/Magnolia_230222_sb16-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/Magnolia_230222_sb16-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/Magnolia_230222_sb16-788x525.jpeg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/02/Magnolia_230222_sb16.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>On the south coast near St Austell you&#8217;ll find the magnificent gardens and Grade II listed 140 acre woodland at Caerhays, often described as a spring-time wonderland for visitors. Home to a National Magnolia Collection, the collection even houses a 100 year old Magnolia tree. The gardens also feature many rhododendrons, camellias and trees which are nationally classed as Champion Trees by the Tree Register. The castle is also open for tours (additional cost) from March. After you&#8217;ve walked round the gardens, the beach at the bottom is wonderful too, a glorious stretch of sand.</p>



<p><strong>Visit</strong>: Caerhays is open from 10 Feb – 8 June 2025, park in the beach carpark and walk up to the gardens/ castle (online booking includes car parking, or pay at meter and bring your ticket for a refund). The tea rooms are open when the gardens are, and dogs are allowed in the gardens and overflow tea area but not inside the tearoom itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trewithen-garden-grampound-road-near-truro"><a aria-label="Trewithen Garden (opens in a new tab)" href="https://trewithengardens.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trewithen Garden</a>, Grampound Road, Near Truro</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewithen-4.jpeg" alt="magnolia at Trewithen Garden Cornwall" class="wp-image-22449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewithen-4.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewithen-4-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewithen-4-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewithen-4-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Trewithen-4-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Trewithen Gardens Cornwall © Emily Whitfield Wicks</figcaption></figure>



<p>Trewithen has nearly 30 acres of woodland gardens and about 200 acres of surrounding parkland. In 2012, Trewithen received the accolade of becoming an International Camellia Garden of Excellence – one of only 39 gardens in the world to have that honour (and 1 of only 5 in the UK). Among the many spring highlights is the UK’s finest specimen in cultivation of Magnolia campbellii subsp. Mollicomata* which was introduced from China and, standing at over 65 ft high, is one of the glories of the garden.</p>



<p><strong>Visit</strong>: The Garden and Tea Sheds at Trewithen are open 1 March &#8211; 30 September, seven days a week from 10am &#8211; 4.30pm (café closes 4pm). Dog-friendly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tregothnan-tresillian-truro"><a aria-label="Tregothnan (opens in a new tab)" href="https://tregothnan.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tregothnan</a>, Tresillian, Truro</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="999" height="695" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-1.jpeg" alt="beautiful pink magnolias against a vivid blue sky at Tregothnan garden in cornwall" class="wp-image-22450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-1.jpeg 999w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-1-300x209.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-1-720x500.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-1-768x534.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/03/Tregothnan-1-755x525.jpeg 755w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll recognise Tregothnan from their Cornish-grown tea&#8230; sadly for us, the family owned estate near Truro is private aside from occasional events, so you&#8217;ll have to take their word for the magnolia count I&#8217;m afraid! </p>



<p><strong>Visit</strong>: You&#8217;ll have to wait until their <a href="https://tregothnan.co.uk/collections/charity-garden-tickets">annual charity open day on 20 &#8211; 21 April</a> so no magnolias, but there will be other beautiful things in flower. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/The-Nares-Spring-Story-Grant-Alexander-Marketing-Manager-1000x667.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-36367" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/The-Nares-Spring-Story-Grant-Alexander-Marketing-Manager-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/The-Nares-Spring-Story-Grant-Alexander-Marketing-Manager-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/The-Nares-Spring-Story-Grant-Alexander-Marketing-Manager-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/The-Nares-Spring-Story-Grant-Alexander-Marketing-Manager.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Cornwall&#8217;s Spring Story was founded by Toby Ashworth of <a aria-label="The Nare Hote (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.narehotel.co.uk/location/cornwall/springstory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nare Hote</a>l, in partnership with the <a aria-label="Great Gardens of Cornwall (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.greatgardensofcornwall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Gardens of Cornwall</a>. It was in response to the fact that, by waiting until May, many garden lovers were missing the most splendid sight of all – the flowering of the magnolias – which occurred in February and March each year, earlier than in other parts of the country. </em></p>



<p><em>The Great Gardens of Cornwall is a collection of 14 of the best-known, largest, most historically and horticulturally important gardens in Cornwall. Spread across Cornwall, from a tidal estuary on the River Tamar, to the tip of the Isles of Scilly, the 14 gardens include: Antony Woodland Gardens, Bonython Estate Gardens, Caerhays Castle Spring Gardens, the Eden Project, Lamorran Gardens, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trebah Garden, Tregothnan, Tregrehan Garden, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Tresco Abbey Garden, Trewidden, Minack Theatre and Trewithen.</em></p>


Spring is declared for 2025 and here’s where to see magnolias in Cornwall

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