The first colours of spring have been spotted at an award-winning garden attraction on the south Cornish coast ahead of its Valentine's Day reopening.
The team at Caerhays Castle and Spring Gardens have said they are delighted to be throwing open their doors and welcoming visitors to a full spring season for the first time in three years.
The gardens at Caerhays reopen on February 14, and Caerhays Castle reopens for guided tours a month later on March 14.
Caerhays will also hold the return of their charity summer fête on June 12.
Lucinda Rimmington, Marketing Manager at Caerhays, 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 one every one 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 January 11 2022.
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Lucinda added: "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!"
The historic gardens will also feature a new nature trail for children when it reopens next week, which it says is specifically designed to help little ones engage with local wildlife and plant life and is buggy friendly.
Lucinda continued: "The trail was originally launched in 2020, so only a 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."
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