What a glorious spring! The weather is fantastic, with warmer temperatures than we’d expect this time of year, and everything is lush and leafy. The birds are singing, the trees are in blossom and the flowers are blooming. This is the perfect time to get out and visit some of Devon’s most gorgeous gardens! Stroll around the grounds taking in the beautiful borders, the manicured lawns, the fountains and ponds, stop for lunch or a cream tea in the café, or pack a picnic and find a sun dappled spot to savour your sandwiches.
Devon is such a huge county, with two coasts, two National Parks and so much in between, including countless beautiful gardens. Picking the best is no easy task – they’re all so heavenly! So, we’ve focused on the ones that are within easy reach of our large group holiday homes, helping you to plan your days out and make amazing memories.
Burrow Farm Gardens, Dalwood, Axminster (RHS)
This used to be one of East Devon’s best kept secrets, but word got out and a few years ago it was named as The Nation’s Favourite Public Garden in a competition. Go there and you’ll see why. There’s an overwhelming air of tranquillity here, with breathtaking views of the Devon hills. Go slowly through the ancient oak woodland garden where mature rhododendrons and bluebells bloom; see the azalea glade, pause by the thatched summerhouse overlooking the lake. Admire the colour-themed planting in the Millennium Garden, walk beneath the pergola in the Rose Garden; see the pear trees and cottage garden style planting in the Terrace Garden, the ornamental grasses in the Anniversary Garden and the carefree beauty of the wildflower meadow.
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton
Bicton Park is famous for its historic glasshouses full of palms, but there’s so much more to see - the Shell House in the rockery, the tranquil Hermitage Garden, with its Japanese Pagoda, waterfalls and stream. Wonder at the Handkerchief Tree, Indian Bean Tree and Giant Redwoods in the American Garden and Stream Garden, the tulip tree, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and giant gunnera.
Wander the gravel paths through the south facing Mediterranean Garden where terracotta pots stand among olive trees, lavender and rosemary. Magnolias line the Italian garden with its elegant urns and statues, and borders alive with geraniums, salvias and marigolds; the delicate scent carries on the air in the Rose Garden where bees dance among the dahlias.
With indoor and outdoor play areas, a Woodland Railway, countryside museum, nature trails, and a restaurant and gift shop, Bicton makes a great day out for the whole family.
Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter (NT)
Killerton has such wonderful gardens, shaped over more than 300 years by the owners of the estate and the plant hunters and nurserymen who worked there. Winding paths lead you through formal terraces with sweeping lawns, a rockery full of alpines and ferns, woodland gardens and a wildflower meadow. The views are to die for, rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias put on a dazzling display, there are spectacular drifts of cyclamen and daffodils in early spring, rare shrubs and record holding old trees, including giant redwoods. Don’t miss the icehouse and the very unique Bear’s Hut, decorated with pine cones and twigs, with a stained-glass window and a floor of deer knuckle bones. Browse the gift shop and secondhand bookshop, stop for a light lunch in the café.
Knightshayes, Bolham, Tiverton (NT)
Knightshayes is home to one of the National Trust’s most extensive plant collections, divided into eight distinct areas including a walled kitchen garden, terraces, a Paved Garden and a Woodland Garden. The springtime shows of snowdrops, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths and camelia are a sight to behold, followed by swathes of bluebells in the shade beneath the trees and a riot of colour from the cherry blossom and rhododendrons. Wander the meandering paths, stopping to admire the breathtaking views across the parkland to Tiverton; reward yourself with cake in the Stables Café and a souvenir from the gift shop – and who knows what you might find in the secondhand bookshop?
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington
This is a must for any garden lover, laid out in 18 separate garden areas, each with its own character and unique planting style. Among them are the Herb, Potager and Cottage Garden, the Queen Mother’s Rose Garden, a Cool Garden, Hot Garden, Exotic Garden and Stone Garden. There’s also an apple orchard, an arboretums and a stumpery. You’ll need a whole day for your visit because none of these glorious spaces should be missed
This time of year, the woodland garden is ablaze with colour from azaleas and rhododendrons, anemones and bluebells carpet the floor. The first flush of alliums are swinging their pompoms in the Hot Garden, the Wildflower Meadows are full of buttercups, ox-eye daisies and orchids, tulips are showing their beauty in the Cottage Garden, the orchard is frothy with apple blossom, and the Stream Garden is lush with the acid green of ferns and the vivid blue of camassia.
There’s a restaurant, play areas and den building, so it’s great for a family trip.
Overbecks, Shapitor, Salcombe (NT)
Subtropical plants thrive in the gardens at Overbecks, thanks to the coastal microclimate, and it’s all so lush with plants from all around the globe happily growing on the terraced cliffside. Follow the pathways that lead you through the grounds, along the way you’ll see palms, ferns, grasses and succulents from far climes; wander through the Statue Garden, The Olive Grove and Gazebo Garden, see the potted orange trees in the glasshouse and the cacti in the conservatory. Can you believe it, there’s even a Banana Garden! There are nature trails for children, a kiosk for refreshments, and a café and picnic area.
The sea views are astonishing, looking out over the glittering waters and the little boats in the harbour at Salcombe.
Saltram, Plympton, Plymouth (NT)
Majestically sweeping lawns, a lime tree avenue, exotic planting and quirky follies are what you can expect to see at Saltram. Unusually, there’s an Orange Grove, perhaps the jewel in the crown of Saltram’s gardens; the coastal location, along with protection from carefully planted trees, means that lemons, limes, grapefruits and mandarins are able to grow here, set around a central pond. Also of note is the chapel, with a backdrop of rhododendrons, an ancient yew and Chinese Windmill palms, creating a tropical feel and a sight you’d be very hard pushed to find anywhere else in this country. In early spring, the sight of thousands of daffodils (over 120 varieties) nodding their heads beneath the avenue of limes is something you’ll never forget.
Whilst you’re here, pop in the bookshop and treat yourselves to something delicious from the café or tearoom.
Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, Barnstaple (RHS)
With an 18th century Palladian house at its heart, Castle Hill Gardens is set on a vast estate in the spectacular North Devon countryside. The terraced walkways lead you through the Millennium Garden, past statues, follies and temples, and deep herbaceous borders lined with lavender. Carry on to the Woodland Garden where in early spring, primroses and wild daffodils bloom beneath the ancient specimen trees, followed by delightful displays of azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. Amble down to the river, cross the Ugley bridge and climb the hill for staggering views across to Exmoor and Dartmoor. Younger folk can climb the Tanglewood Tree (one of the oldest in the gardens), then you can all have a picnic or something to eat in the tearoom.
Arlington Court, Arlington, Barnstaple (NT)
Arlington Court is famous for its Carriage Museum, but for garden lovers, the grounds will be the main draw. Stroll around the Formal Victorian Garden with a walled kitchen garden, lush herbaceous borders, a tinkling fountain, and a conservatory full of exotic plants from around the world. In June and July, the borders are bursting with colour when the peonies, geraniums and Alchemilla are in full bloom, followed by dahlias, cannas, salvias and verbena bonariensis. The ponds are an incredible sight with careful planting all around, the whole garden is alive with pollinators – butterflies flit, bees buzz, dragonflies dance. Take the family – there’s plenty of room to run about, a play area, bookshop, café and tea room.
Forde Abbey, Chard
Okay, so a cheeky little hop over the border here, because Forde Abbey isn’t quite in Devon, but it’s so beautiful we just had to include it in our round-up. On the banks of the River Axe, Forde Abbey has award-winning gardens with gorgeous herbaceous borders, an arboretum, a Rock Garden and a Bog Garden; it also has the highest-powered fountain in the country.
Wander at your leisure, see the specimen grasses as you cross the Park Garden, rest in the living beech hut beside the pond, then go over the little red bridge to the bog garden where primulas and irises grow happily in the deep mud by the stream, offset to perfection by hostas and ferns, and by the end of summer, giant gunnera. See the Spiral Garden, inspired very aptly from monastic times and planted with 10,000 tulip bulbs in spring, followed by wildflower seed for summer and into autumn.
The Long Border is a profusion of dahlias, roses, hydrangeas and other perennials, broken with neatly clipped yews, running along either side of a long pond with a small temple at its end. Rhododendrons, camelias, azaleas and magnolias flourish in the woodland garden, the walled kitchen garden is where the fruit and vegetables and flowers are grown for the house and coffee shop.
Large Holiday Cottages In Devon