Caerhays Castle & Gardens
World-class exotic gardens with a Nash mansion at their heart.
Gorran, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6LY
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Charged parking
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Easily accessible without car
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EV charging options
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Free parking
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Shop
- Accessible parking
- Access statement available
- Accessible toilets
It is difficult not to be stunned when you visit Caerhays Castle and its 140 acre Gardens which are the home of the Williams family.
The natural beauty of the coastline and its steep valleys, the architectural surprises, the inescapable sense of history and the range of activities and facilities that the estate offers, all set the scene for a wonderful day of discovery and exploration.
Free entry to Caerhays Castle & Garden (Mid Feb – Mid June). Castle tour subject to availability on arrival, cannot be booked in advance.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Caerhays Castle and Gardens are open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm, with the last entry at 4:00pm, until 13th June. On 14th June, a Charity Fete will take place.
The Castle is open for guided tours from 2nd March to 13th June, weekdays only, including bank holidays. Tours are held at 11:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm, lasting approximately 45 minutes. Booking in advance is recommended.
The Magnolia Tea Rooms and the Gift Shop are open daily while the gardens are open. The Beach Café operates daily during the summer and on limited days during the winter, weather permitting.
Parking for garden and castle visitors is free at Porthluney Beach; visitors must register their vehicle at the garden entry point. Parking charges apply for other visitors year-round.
Admission prices are as follows:
- Gardens Unguided: £13.50 for adults, £5.00 for children aged 5-16, free for children under 5.
- Castle: £15.00 for adults, £7.00 for children aged 5-16, free for children under 5.
- Combined ticket: £25.00 for adults, £10.00 for children aged 5-16, free for children under 5.
Season tickets are available for the gardens, including free parking at Porthluney Beach during the open season.
Members of Historic Houses, Cornwall Garden Society, and BBC Gardeners World can avail discounts or free entry under specific conditions.
Visitors are advised to wear suitable footwear and follow safety guidelines while exploring the gardens, which include steep paths and potential hazards.
The gardens and castle are free to Historic Houses members. Please note the castle does not permit advance booking of free member visits and does not guarantee entry, but instead offers to admit members for free only if, at the time they happen to turn up, there is spare capacity available.
Members will have to pay for parking at Porthluney Beach, but will be refunded if they bring their parking ticket to the gardens entrance.
Admission:
Garden Adult – £13.50
Castle Adult – £15.00
Combined – £25.00
Group visits are welcome and refreshments are provided. Find out more on their website.
Contact: Charlotte Cox at [email protected] or 01872 501 310.
Primary and Secondary schools are welcome for visits and schools make regular trips to study local wildlife and fauna.
- Accessible parking
- Access statement available
- Accessible toilets
Getting here
Gorran, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6LY
Situated on the south coast of Cornwall. Off the A39 between St. Austell and Truro. Close to Mevagissey on the coast.
Caerhays isn’t accessible by public transport but cyclists can use the South West coast path.
Gardens with an international reputation
The gardens originated from the work of plant hunters in China at the start of the 20th-century. Caerhays bred the very first x williamsii camellias and is today the home of a Plant Heritage National Collection of Magnolias containing over 600 species and named hybrids from around the world.
The gardens have an international reputation and have been described as ‘world class’. The castle itself was designed by the famous Regency architect John Nash around 200 years ago and both the building and the two families who have lived and worked at Caerhays have played significant roles in the history of Cornwall and its former tin mining industry.
Caerhays won the Historic Houses/Christie’s Garden of the Year Award in 2016.
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