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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Easily accessible without car
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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 & Gardens is a historic estate located on the south coast of Cornwall, offering a variety of attractions and activities for visitors. Below is a detailed summary of the opening times and conditions for the estate's facilities in 2026:
Opening Times
- The Gardens: Open from 16th February to 14th June 2026.
- The Castle: Open for guided tours from 2nd March to 13th June 2026. Tours are available on weekdays, including bank holidays, at 11:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm. Advance booking is recommended.
- Magnolia Tea Rooms: Open from 16th February 2026, serving light lunches, homemade soups, cakes, and beverages.
- Caerhays Beach Café: Open daily, weather permitting.
Admission Prices
- Gardens: £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: Individual (£40.00), Joint (£60.00), Family (£70.00). These include free parking at Porthluney Beach during the gardens' open season.
Special Offers
- Historic Houses Members: Free entry to gardens and castle (castle tours subject to availability).
- Cornwall Garden Society Members: £1.00 off entry price.
- BBC Gardeners' World 2-for-1 Card: 2-for-1 garden entry from 1st April 2026.
Additional Information
- Group tours of the gardens and castle can be arranged year-round. Contact [email protected] or call 01872 501310 for details.
- Car parking at Porthluney Beach is managed by Initial Parking, with charges applicable year-round.
- The estate also offers accommodation options, including holiday cottages and The Vean country house.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the estate's scenic coastal paths, beaches, and the award-winning spring gardens, which feature a National Collection of Magnolias and other rare plants.
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 – £12.50
Castle Adult – £15.00
Combined – £25.00
Booking: visit.caerhays.co.uk
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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