Created by The Nare's proprietor, Toby Ashworth, Cornwall's Spring Story is a celebration of the season's early arrival, and proof that spring really does arrive in Cornwall first.
Each year, judges monitor six champion Magnolia campbellii trees across six of Cornwall's Great Gardens. The moment all six trees have flowered with at least 50 blooms, it is official: spring has arrived in England.
The Nare's Toby Ashworth founded Cornwall's Spring Story for one simple reason. He felt that too many visitors were missing out on spring's glorious early arrival in the South West.
'I had the inspiration for Cornwall's Spring Story some years ago, to help with the misunderstanding of when is considered the best time to visit Cornwall's spring gardens', he recalled.
So, in collaboration with The Great Gardens of Cornwall, the Spring Story was born. Since 2013, the initiative has marked the official arrival of spring in Cornwall with the flourishing of six champion magnolia trees.
In 2026, the magnolias reached full bloom and spring was declared on 27 February.
Each year, The Nare tracks the Cornish magnolia blossoms on its live Bloomometer. Check in to see the progress across all six gardens, or follow @TheNareHotel on Instagram for updates.
Each year, The Nare hosts its Spring Garden Party, a celebration of Cornwall's magnificent magnolias coming into bloom and the arrival of spring.
Bringing together representatives from the Great Gardens of Cornwall, local journalists and gardening enthusiasts, the event provides an opportunity to celebrate what makes Cornwall such a special county, as well as the dedicated local community that helps champion its success.
Sign up to The Natter, The Nare's newsletter, at the bottom of the page to receive updates about the next Spring Garden Party.
Here, in the mild, sunny climes of Cornwall, spring always makes a grand entrance. But it's impossible to predict exactly when it will arrive.
One thing is for sure: Cornwall welcomes the new season earlier than anywhere else. While the rest of the country must wait until March to see the first buds of spring, Cornwall is often several weeks ahead. Thanks to some mild winters, recent years have seen the magnolias flower as early as 10 to 16 February.
As the magnolia buds shed their winter jackets and begin to bloom, the head gardener at each of the gardens sends a daily progress report. That includes photographs, as well as the all-important bloom count.
When all six gardeners have counted 50 blooms, spring is declared.
Spring's early arrival in Cornwall is thanks to the region's uniquely mild microclimate. Warmed by the prevailing winds of the Gulf Stream, Cornwall enjoys milder year-round temperatures and more hours of sunshine compared to the rest of England.
In Cornwall, spring is particularly vibrant. And the best way to appreciate its colour and character is to visit one of Cornwall's 14 Great Gardens. These are considered among the finest gardens in the world, and many are only a short drive away from The Nare.
