Garden Lovers will really enjoy visiting North Devon from Spring through to Autumn there is something for everyone, and even in the deepest winter months RHS Rosemoor will still have some great sights. Here are the highlights:
Wander around Marwood Hill Gardens:Marwood Hill gardens were created by Dr Jimmy Smart in the late 1950's as a 20 acre private garden with three lakes set in a valley; the gardens are a wonderful haven in which to relax and enjoy the impressive collections of plants, shrubs and trees and experience the views and peaceful atmosphere.Marwood Hill is especially good in the spring and autumn for the colours of the Magnolias and Camellias.
Look in awe at RHS Rosemoor:Rosemoor is one of the UK’s best gardens (in our humble opinion); it has something for everyone, with the many different gardens meeting all tastes; whatever the time of year Rosemoor will be looking good!
Get lost in Docton Mill Gardens:Docton Mill Wild Flower Gardens are situated in a seemingly remote valley, 1000m from the coast. The Wild Flower Gardens theme is to make everything as natural as possible. In spring there are displays of narcissi, primulas, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas with bluebells covering the woods. In summer the garden abounds with roses, and in the autumn the 25 varieties of magnolia come in to there own.A visit to Docton Mill is great to combine with Hartland Abbey.
Stroll through Castle Hill Gardens:CastleHill Gardens surround the magnificent Palladian house of Castle Hill, seat of the Fortescues since 1454; set in a spectacular 18th century parkland landscape punctuated with statues, follies and temples built by each generation of the Fortescues.Castle Hill is great to stop of at on the way to or from The Old Vicarage.A few minutes from the A361 just outside South Molton, easy to combine with Quince Honey Farm.
Visit Tapeley Park: The gardens and grounds at TapeleyPark are an interesting balance of nature and nurture. From the formal terraces to the natural grace of the Lake, from the haphazardness of the permaculture garden to the geometrics of the maze on the hill. With thoughtful woodland walks, abundant organic vegetable gardens and surprising animal encounters, you will find Tapeley Park very relaxing.
Feed a family at ClovellyCourt Gardens:At ClovellyCourt you’ll find neat, carefully tended Victorian kitchen gardens bordered by herbaceous beds, which in summer are a blaze of colour. In the restored Victorian glasshouses apricots, peaches, nectarines, melons, grapes, lemons and figs ripen in the warmth. Outside there are apples, pears, quinces, medlars, soft fruit, and two mulberry trees – and even Chinese gooseberries. Though a small garden Clovelly Court Gardens are great to combine with a visit to the village of Clovelly.
Explore Hartland Abbey:Hartland Abbey and Gardens is in a great spot just west of Hartland village.It was built as an Abbey in the 1100’s, so a lot older than The Old Vicarage! In 1539 it was the last monastery to be dissolved by Henry VIII and is now home to the Stucley family who are happy to share it with visitors.You may well have scene it already as it and the surrounding area is used regularly on TV and film (The Night Manager, Sense and Sensibility, Antiques Roadshow…).Hartland Abbey and grounds is a relaxing timeless place to explore, make sure you allow time to walk down to the cove too.