Historic Home in Milner Gardens

What a lovely surprise to discover the Historic Milner House in Milner Gardens and Woodlands. Beautiful walk through the gardens and woodlands and scenic views of the mountains and ocean. Even served Tea and Scones in the Dining Room and Back Veranda - was a special afternoon with a wedding on the lawn of Milner House.

A Gem

A gem of nature, Milner Gardens is a nature woodland rather then a manicured garden such is Butchart Gardens in Victoria but if you time it right you can enjoy the beautiful display of Rhodos. Any season of the year this is a wonderful place for a stroll while learning about our own natural plants and trees, an education in... more

Unique gardens and afternoon tea

The friendly volunteers who helped shuttle us from the gate to the Milner Residence and the people who served afternoon tea were wonderful. It was a big garden by the oceanfront with vast rainforest area remained untouched. But what was most impressive was the simply but cozy afternoon tea at the elegant Milner house. With freshly brewed tea, warm scones... more

Magical moments at Milner Gardens and Woodland

Liked everything about it including the reflective pool, the magnificent views, The Enchanted Steampunk Gnome Village by the Sea, the flora and fauna and the children's garden. The atmosphere is restorative, peaceful, friendly - and very enjoyable :-)

Beautiful spot

The flower colors were exceptional.
Enjoyable walk,variety of trees,flowers,bushes etc.
The main house was visited by Queen Elizabeth and Phillip.
They stayed there two nights....you can also have a real English tea.

A walk in the Forrest

This is a wonderful place to stroll through a Douglas Fir Forrest. There are many trails to wander and reach the old house and gardens. High tea is served in the restaurant. The house and garden have been visited by The Queen, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles And Princess Diana. The views over Georgia Strait are stunning. A beautiful place to... more

A quaint bit of Britishness in BC

I'm not much of a Botanist but the wife's decision to spend a few hours in this tucked away woodlands revealed some surprising bites of history! For me the modelled after Ceylon Tea Estate bungalow was spectacularly beautiful in it's magnificent setting! The last minute offering of high tea at a very reasonable price by a troop of volunteer ladies... more

fun for the hole family

Milner Gardens and Woodland is an historic waterfront estate in Qualicum Beach that offers a huge variety of activities for all ages. Beautiful woodland walks, waterfront vistas, spectacular gardens. The Shoots with Roots program is awesome.

High Tea at Milner Gardens

Peace, tranquility, elegance - this is the scene at Milner Gardens, as you have high tea in the Milner estate house overlooking the Great Lawn, with a view of the Salish Seas. The gardens were the dream of Veronica Milner and include over 400 kinds of rhododendrons. This place is well worth a visit.

Xmas Wonderland

We took the evening stroll through Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach. The lights were lovely the cabins decorated in a way that transfers you back in time. The music in the tea room was wonderful and you could just feel the history. We can't wait until the spring when we plan to visit again to see all the gardens in... more

Next year

Arrived with 45 minutes left to view lights Dec. 22. Staff very friendly, great golf cart service for elderly person in our party. Site could use more lights but very festively done. Sadly we just missed the music and the tea room was closing. Ambience was terrific for kids with a Santa down the path. Attendance broke a record on... more

Another hidden jem

Another jewel in the crown of the charming, seaside town of Qualicum Beach. Nominal charge to enter this 70 acre woodlands and gardens - cafe by the pool - lunch in the beautiful heritage home visited by royals. Many caring, knowledgeable volunteers help to operate this very interesting destination.

Lovely gardens - extra special at christmas

WE enjoyed the gardens in their holiday glory. We visited at night during the Christmas holidays. Is was set up very well, and not garish like some holiday displays can be. Many fun festive vignettes - santa, carollers etc. It was all very nice.
We thought it was a lovely place that we might come back to in the daylight/summer.... more

How to relax

The Empress in Victoria is not the only place where you can enjoy a relaxing spot of tea, the Milner gardens in Qualicum also offers a similar break.
A short walk through the woods or a shuttle drive from the parking lot takes you to the tea house, in the summer you can sit on the porch or inside if... more

Milner Garadens

A nice walk in the woods......any time of the year. Christmas and Halloween nights are pretty with the added lights.

Tranquil Beauty

The beautiful panoramic views from the great lawn across the Salish Sea are worth the entry fee. Peaceful trails through the woods, a beautiful reflecting pool (note photographers), an enchanting woodland garden, the history of Milner House (great tea room).
Milner Gardens is a hidden gem.

Mature and beautiful garden

Milner Gardens is the perfect place for homeowners and amateur horticulturists to wander about and marvel at what a mature garden can be. Anybody planning their own "West Coast" home landscape would do well to bring a notepad and pen to copy down the names of their favourite specimens as this is the place where one can see what those... more

Spectacular

Beautiful woodlands garden - with incredible history - in May, Rhododendrons are breathtaking
Overlooking Georgia Strait - yummy afternoon tea

The house was built in the 30s with additions out on in the 50s and 60s. The house was once owned by wealthy H.R Milner (lawyer & businessman) and his wife Veronica. It is a beautiful old house that is furnished with antique furniture even a chair from the 1500s. There is lots of Royal paraphernalia as Princess Diana stayed here with the rest of the a Royal family in the 80s. We enjoyed a light... more

Great Place To Chill

This is the kind of garden I like to 'roam' in, not too formal, the sections near the 'cottage' are, but the forest area is not, and you can wander through the paths that run throughout the tall cedars, pines etc. Be sure to spot the eagles nest!. Probably the highlight is the view from the cottage....sip a cup of... more

As beautiful as ever

Gorgeous place and wonderful for tea time! The grounds seem endless and the view is outstanding from the tea house. I would visit Milner Gardens every time I came to the area if I could! Delicious sandwiches and tea and all run by volunteers. Unbelievable!

Beautiful

We enjoyed walking through a beautiful forest and then walking out into a garden with the ocean view. The best of two worlds.

A Setting Like No Other

We visited the gardens on a sunny afternoon, and enjoyed the Milner House, gardens,landscape and woods. The house was constructed in 1931, and designed to include features of a Ceylonese tea plantation house as evidenced by the many screened doors leading out into the garden. The 28 hectares (70 acres) includes unspoiled natural beauty perched on the edge of an... more

Ho hum

We visited in August and found the gardens unimpressive. That being said, many of the plants were rhododendrons and azaleas, so a visit in May be worth while. The tiny estate house was somewhat interesting, and they serve a reasonably priced tea after 1pm but we were there early in the morning so we missed it. To be honest, I... more

Enjoyable stroll, beautiful view

We loved the contrast of walking through a rustic forest on nicely maintained trails, then entering an old, established garden estate with a beautiful setting on the Georgia Strait. We enjoyed the tour of the estate cottage and learning about Mrs. Milner who was from Irish royalty and lived the entitled life until she spent all her money and had... more

How the wealthy used to live

This is not a botanical garden, a nature park, nor a museum, instead is is an old estate cottage which must have once been a peaceful place for the uber rich to vacation.
We visited in August, when very little was in bloom, but looking at the huge rhodos it is obviously lovely in the spring.
There was a wedding... more

A hidden gem; you have to take the time to see this

We are staying a week near Parksville and found this on the various maps and guides.
Milner Gardens are perfect for nature walks through the untouched woods on the way to the house and gardens, perfect for a stroll through their unstructured gardens, perfect for a walk around the house, and perfect for a wonderful English cream tea (available from... more

A walk in the woods

If you fancy tea at the end of this, then it's worth the money for the entrance fee. Milner has it's charm for the old fashioned and the horticulturalist. You walk through the woods, or are driven to the bottom in a golf cart. The woods are fine, but there are better woods that are free in the area. You... more

Best in the spring

I live a 10 minute walk away and it makes for a delightful stroll. Many activities during the year, plant sales, arts, and Christmas Santa visits. Run by the local university, thus opportunities for students. A relaxed, informal garden, interesting history, with a connection to the royal family. There is a golf cart available for those who need assistance, otherwise... more

hi

Perfect spot for our wedding. And a very good value too.
Beautiful view. Terrific volunteer staff. Nice little gift shop.

Garden Gem

Lovely to walk in westcoast forest, and enjoy a bit of history. Lovely gardens. Many special events.

nice walks in the forest

selection of locally propagated plants is excellent and you can see them growing in their mature state
tea room run by volunteers worth a visit with tea and scones
overlooks ocean
plants available for sale as well

lovely

Wander through the woods until you come to gates,that keep the deer from eating the garden plants. Close them behind you then you are in a mature garden setting. once owned and planted by the milner family, this delightfull garden was given to the people of the island through vancouver university, and is now almost completly staffed by volunteers. The... more

A delight at any time of year

Don't go expecting the formal gardens of Butchart; this is a Woodland garden, with trails through beautiful cedar groves, and a wonderful house with tea on the terrace overlooking the flower gardens and lawns and ocean; the rhododendrons in spring are spectacular, and throughout the year there are different trees and shrubs in bloom. It is one of the most... more

A garden of beauty

This a must visit for visitors as well as locals. It is reasonablely priced and they do have yearly membership passes, which is the cheapest way to go if one lives close by. Open most of the year, but some limited times in the off season. They have a event for Halloween and Christmas is full of lights.hery have Music... more

Garden oasis in Qualicum

On the day we visited recently, the Milner Gardens and Woodland was very quiet, just us, a few volunteers, and the local butterflies, birds, and dragonflies. Paths winding through a small old growth Douglas Fir forest lead down to the gardens and house, past the gift shop and pool, the latter currently being refurbished as a water feature which will... more

Wild Woodland Garden

Minler gardens is a rare spot. 72 acres slopping gently down to the ocean. Old growth forest, well marked accessible trails, and best of all quiet solitude. At the end of the trail is a lovely furnished old house to explore. Lunch on the patio looking out over the grand lawn and the ocean is heavenly. The pool house gift... more

Beautiful gardens and tea house

Nice stroll through the Milner gardens and property. The main house now serves tea and deserts from items grown on the property. Beautiful view of the Straits of Georgia from the back of the property.

Wonderful walk in the quiet of nature and enjoyment of bird and plants

I did purchase some items from the shop, handmade. Prices were quite reasonable and good value for excellent work.

What garden

Milner Woodland Garden is just that - a woodland. There are very few plants to see and for what is on offer, $22 (for 2) is exorbitant. I saw more flowers at a garden centre than here and if I want to walk through woodland, I can do it for free anywhere in BC! I was extremely disappointed.

Delightful. Scenic. Lovely Gardens. Elizabeth R signature, too

This is a lovely natural setting for beautiful rhododendron gardens and a manor house and tea room. The staff is attentive and provide shuttle service from the entrance to the main garden areas for those that are unable to walk through the 1/2 mile forest pathway to the gardens. There is a wide variety of flowers and trees, many labeled... more

Lovely stroll through an interesting garden

We spent a lovely afternoon exploring this hidden gem. The location is spectacular. Who would have guessed what was beyond the gates? There are many interesting plants and trees to see and lots of inspiration for your own garden at home. We had afternoon tea on the front veranda of the house as well. It felt a little like stepping... more

Rhododendrons

Quiet, very peaceful. Lovely walk through the woods, a good show of rhododendrons, and very proper tea in the Tea House.

A stroll in the gardens

It's a beautiful garden setting to walk around in most of the year it is open. Very nice on a sunny day.

A unique and must see Garden

Milner Gardens is a seventy acre estate property with an old growth Douglas Fir Forest, a home designed like a Ceylon Tea house and a woodland garden with an extensive collection of Rhododendrons from around the world. The garden creator Veronica Milner ( now deceased) collected specimens from around the world. She was related to Princess Diana and Winston Churchill... more

Santa in the forest

I love the old fashioned decorations in the old Milner house. Being a fan i enjoy the mix of British royal sophistication (Queen Elizabeth has stayed here) and the wonderful feel of a West Coast rainforest overlooking the Salish Sea. The woods are alight with Christmas lights and spirit and Santa is hosting the wee ones in a quaint little... more

quite the setting

You will find this historic house in the middle of a lovely woodland area. British aristocrats used to develop their gardens to occupy their time and that is how this garden was developed. I had expected the house to be nicer, since the queen once stayed there. The tea room serves soup and a bun or a scone. It is... more

Christmas in the Gardens

Perfect outing for Christmas Holidays! Milner Gardens @ Christmas is something you'll not want to miss! Beautiful holiday lights throughout the acreage with lite candles in decorated containers along your foot path as well. Santa is there, guess the # of Teddy Bears in the cottage, story telling room & choirs to fill your senses with holiday cheer! Do buy... more

Tea at Milner Gardens

This was our first visit to these beautiful woodlands and gardens. After wandering along the winding pathways of the ancient, unspoiled woodlands, we arrived at the historic Milner House. Although it was early, we were invited to sit down whilst they, the friendly volunteers, "put the kettle on." We were served delicious scones, jam and clotted cream, with a big... more

Wedding Experience at Milner Gardens

My husband and I were recently married at Milner Gardens. The scenery was very beautiful, but the overall experience was terrible. For what they charge they literally do not do a thing regarding the wedding. I was asked to send an alphabetized list of 170 people, and when I asked if they could do it (assuming that this should be... more

In August, more emphasis on the woodlands than the gardens

As an avid gardener, I can appreciate what different seasons brings to the landscape. At the end of August, the highight of Milner is the forest and arborteum offering a cool escape and a beautiful waterfront view. There are not alot of flowers in bloom; however, there is a wonderful community garden, the fruit trees are bearing fruit and the... more