Visits 2023
Tuesday 7th March – Ashley Court, Tiverton
Set in 19 acres of woodland, gardens and pasture overlooking the Exe Valley, it is a lovely example of a small country house (now an hotel) retaining every period detail from the gate posts to the servants bells There is an historic walled kitchen garden for visitors to see.
Wednesday 5th April - Hillcrest, Stoke St Gregory
There’s plenty to see in this mature, wildlife friendly garden. The five acres include formal planting, orchards, an extensive meadow, ornamental woodland, pond and a gravel garden recently created from a tennis court. NB. There aren’t any steps but the ground is uneven with a long grassy slope to the lower pond and woodland area.
Friday 5th May – Bishop's palace, Wells
Set in 14 acres of tranquil gardens and hidden within the ancient ramparts protected by the moat. There is evidence that these gardens existed here even before Bishop Jocelyn began building the Palace in 1220. The gardens have changed over time and are now Grade II listed due to their special historic nature. There are herbaceous borders, roses in the parterre and beautiful views of the gardens from the ramparts with reflections of the Cathedral in the well pools. Visit the Community Garden and see what’s being grown by the local community. NB They are a partner garden with the RHS and members have free entry on a Friday.
Tuesday 6th June – The Newt, Bruton
The gardens at The Newt have been shaped over the last 200 years by successive owners including Margaret Hobhouse and the renowned garden designer Penelope Hobhouse whose design gave the garden a new lease of life in the 1970’s. Mixing ornamental and productive elements the gardens are a feast for the eyes and stomach! At the centre is a Parabola – a walled garden with an apple tree maze.
Wednesday 5th
July – Bickham House, Kenn, Nr Exeter
Bickham House is a small mansion set in its own 5 acre park
in a peaceful wooded valley. Features include lawns, mature trees and shrubs
and herbaceous borders. There is also a conservatory, small parterre, pool
garden, lake and an impressive one acre walled kitchen garden.
Friday 4th
August – East Lambrook Manor
East Lambrook Manor is the iconic and quintessentially
English cottage garden created by the celebrated 20th century
plantswoman and garden writer Margery Fish. It is an English Heritage Grade I
Listed garden with many winding paths throughout the borders. It boasts noted
collections of snowdrops, hellebores and hardy geraniums. There is also an
excellent specialist hardy plant nursery.
Wednesday 6th September – East Woodlands Farmhouse, Newton Tracey
East Woodlands is a beautiful RHS inspired and designed garden full of ‘rooms’ packed with plants, shrubs and trees. There are spectacular bamboos, flowing grasses, roses, Mediterranean, Japanese, cottage and bog gardens all set in an acre overlooking the north Devon countryside.
Tuesday 3rd
October – Kentlands, Whitestone, Nr Exeter
A two acre garden with south-facing distant views from Exeter
to East Devon where there is a patio area and pond with an amazing collection
of goldfish! There are perennials, shrubs and an increasing collection of
salvias. A greenhouse houses a collection of orchids and alpines and there’s
also a productive vegetable area.
