Milner Gardens & Woodland
A seaside estate garden in Qualicum Beach, with hundreds of rhododendron varieties growing among old-growth trees. The British royal family once stayed here.
Milner Gardens is located in the town of Qualicum Beach. Originally a private estate, it is now managed by Vancouver Island University and covers about 28 hectares. The estate garden, roughly 4 hectares, is planted with more than 500 rhododendron varieties and a wide range of other flowers. The rest of the property is a well-preserved old-growth Douglas fir forest, with woodland trails leading to cliffs overlooking the Strait of Georgia. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip each stayed here on two separate visits. The estate tea room serves English afternoon tea. Spring, when the rhododendrons bloom, is the most beautiful time to visit. Admission is about CAD 15, and the gardens are usually closed in winter.
Opening hours
Apr–Sep approx. 10:00 AM–4:30 PM (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Coombs Old Country Market
- Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
- Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park (Parksville)
- Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
- Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park)
- Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
- Neck Point Park
- Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine) Provincial Park