Garden Overview

The 100 acre Woodland Gardens at Caerhays Castle are English Heritage Listed Grade II*. The origins of this historically important collection of Chinese plants can be traced back to the work of the great plant hunters Ernest Wilson (1876 - 1930) and George Forrest (1873 - 1932).

J C Williams of Caerhays (1862 - 1939) gave up politics in 1895 and became passionate about gardening. He was quick to recognise the importance of the plant hunters work and contributed £300,000 (in todays terms) of his own money towards Forrests 1911 and subsequent expeditions as well as being involved in the joint funding of many other trips.

In return Caerhays received a wealth of seed from newly discovered species of Chinese rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, azaleas, acers and evergreen oaks to mention but a few. A large number of these unique plants can be seen growing in maturity at Caerhays today.

The arrival of this plant material opened up opportunities for JC and his successors, Charles and Julian Williams to engage in an extensive programme of hybridisation work which is still going on today. The origin of the truly hardy, free flowering and easy to grow x williamsii strain of camellias dates from J C's original cross between Camellia saluenensis and Camellia japonica in 1923. Williamsii hybrid camellias now number many thousands of varieties and are still hybridised and grown throughout the world.

The Magnolia and other flower sections of the website provides a pictorial guide to some of J C and Caerhays' achievements in hybridising magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias. Visitors to the gardens will see some of our latest hybridisation work as well as the ever expanding NCCPG National Magnolia Collection which now numbers around 80 species and over 500 hybrids

Admission Charges 2011

Guided tours of the gardens last around 1½- 2 hours and must be prebooked on 01872 501 310. The garden is situated on a slope so wheelchair access, other than around the castle building and up the main drive is limited. For more information click here

Guided tours of the castle last about 45 minutes and these usually need to be booked well in advance to avoid disappointment as numbers are restricted due to the geography and layout of the house.

Visits by tour groups are welcome outside of our normal spring opening season by prior arrangement.

Free Parking at Porthluney Beach. More elderly or disabled visitors may drive up from Porthluney Beach to the castle and garden entrance where a limited number of parking spaces are available. Coaches may also proceed up to the castle from Porthluney Beach on the new tarmaced drive. For more information click here

Modern toilet facilities including a disabled toilet are in the castle back yard
Licensed Tea Room serving light meals and picnics
Plant sales and gift shop
Dogs on leads please


Nearest railway station, St Austell (10 miles)
Nearest airport, Newquay (22 miles)

All Enquires please to:

The Estate Office
Caerhays
Gorran
St Austell
Cornwall
PL26 6LY

Tel:   01872 501310\501144

Fax:   01872 501870

e-mail:   estateoffice@caerhays.co.uk