What shall I do with this old neglected camellia?

AlxNic

Please can you share your advice?

I really would like to get rid of this old camellia but I am told it has been there for 25 years so I doubt I'd even attempt to dig it up.

I really don't know what to do with it. Cut it down? 
Thanks in advance 

Lyn

I cut one like that down to 6” from the ground,
look at it now,  I forgot to photograph it when those buds opened.

Perki

It will come back if cut back hard, I would dig it out if you don't want it.

AlxNic

Lyn - thanks for the pic. That is an inspiration (and you are close geogr4aphically which means similar conditions)

Perki - any advice on digging out - do the roots go really deep? I don't want to start something I can't finish 

Perki

I am not sure I've never dug up a largish camellia plant only a small one. , its rare for anyone to remove a living Camellia. If in doubt get a mattock, I use these for digging out young tree and saplings. 

Lyn

Acid moorland soil, Alex,  they love it, I had white ones but they were no good here, too damp and the buds were brown before they bloomed, we hacked them out with a pick axe then just cut the roots as went with big secateurs they’re not deep rooted. 
Might be nice to give a try to heavy pruning but that’s your choice of course.