A celebration of colour, heritage and horticultural pride has wrapped up on a high, with organisers hailing the event as a major success while already looking ahead to a busy season of attractions.
The Camellia Celebration week, held at Marwood Hill Gardens, concluded on Sunday, March 22, marking what organisers described as a significant milestone for the site following its recognition as an International Camellia Society Garden of Excellence.
Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)Camelia Celebrations at Marwood Hill Gardens (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Georgia Taylor-Smart, from Marwood Hill Garden and Tea Room, said the event had drawn strong interest and highlighted the garden’s long-standing reputation.
Georgia said: “The Camellia Celebration week finished on Sunday March 22, but it’s been a great success – it was to celebrate the fact that we were rewarded our status as an International Camellia Society Garden of Excellence.”
She added that the gardens, originally created by Dr Jimmy Smart VMH in the late 1950s, have held the prestigious status for decades.
Georgia said: “The gardens… were awarded the ICS Camellia Gardens of Excellence Award back in 2004, which is when Garden of Excellence recognition was started in the UK, and we were one of the first three gardens in England to be awarded it.”
She continued: “Something which we are very proud of. This is something we were rewarded last year in 2025.”
The gardens now feature around 500 different cultivars of camellias, ranging from large flowering varieties to miniature forms.
Georgia said: “Today we have around 500 different cultivars of Camellias of all shapes and sizes from the large, flowered types to the miniature flowered forms.”
Looking ahead, a series of events is planned throughout the year aimed at attracting more visitors.
An Easter Egg Hunt and children’s trail will take place from Friday, April 3 to Sunday, April 5.
A number of pop-up pub events are also scheduled for Friday, May 15; Friday, June 19; Friday, July 17; and Friday, August 21.
Meanwhile, a performance of A Midsummer Night Dream by Folksy Theatre is set for Thursday, July 30.
Georgia said organisers are keen to welcome more visitors in the coming months, with seasonal highlights still to come.
She said: “The wisteria will be coming out next month and is always a showstopper too.”
