8 Enchanting Gardens & Parks in North Devon

11th February 2020

8 Enchanting Gardens & Parks in North Devon

Spring, what a time to be in North Devon! The days grow warmer, there’s new life in abundance and flowers blossom forth. In celebration of this colourful time of year, we’re taking a look at some of our favourite gardens and parks that North Devon has to offer.

So whether it's tucking into a real Devon cream tea and watching the bees dance around the camellias or taking a magical woodland stroll through the wildflowers, read on to discover some of the most enchanting experiences that await you.

RHS Rosemoor

(Source: ekulther) 

Nestled in a North Devon valley near Torrington, you’ll find the enchanting world that is RHS Rosemoor Garden. Home to Lady Anne Berry from 1919 - 2019, Rosemoor Garden is a magical place to visit, no matter the season. Cherry trees blossom in the spring, the iconic Hot Garden bursts forth with vibrancy in summer, woodlands blaze with russet autumnal finery and the Winter Garden wows later in the year. Whether it’s a romantic stroll through the Rose Garden or a family day out exploring the play areas, meadows and Bicentenary Arboretum - Rosemoor is a must-visit attraction for anyone frequenting North devon.

And if you’re feeling peckish, Rosemoor’s Garden Kitchen has once again won Best Garden Centre Restaurant Wales and South West for the fourth year in a row. Delicious award-winning food paired with stunning garden views? Sounds like heaven to us! 

Clovelly Court Gardens

(Source: ellieinclovelly)

Most people have heard of Clovelly - North Devon’s privately owned maritime gem, clinging to a 400ft cliff, overlooking Bideford Bay. The village itself has no motorised vehicle access and prides itself on its originality and atmosphere. A visit to this fully functioning fishing village is not complete without a trip to Clovelly Court Gardens.

Protected from the winds and bordered by an avenue of lime trees, you’ll discover one of the most outstanding Victorian kitchen gardens North Devon has to offer. The gardens are open throughout the year from 10am - 4pm, and there’s plenty to see! Neat, carefully tended gardens await you, as well as beautifully restored Victorian glasshouses that boast a wide range of produce, from aubergines to figs. The gardens are ablaze in summer and create a truly unmissable sight. Outside the garden various fruits thrive including apples, pears, quinces, medlars, mulberries and even Chinese gooseberries. What’s even better is that you have the chance to sample their fine produce! The Red Lion and the New Inn frequently use fresh vegetables and fruit from the gardens, produce can also be picked up from Clovelly’s Visitor Centre. 

Hartland Abbey & Gardens

(Source: johnalastairgibbons)

Built in the 12th century, Hartland Abbey is the cherished home of the Stucley family. The beautiful walled and woodland gardens, the walks and parkland provide guests with extensive grounds through which to while away the day. Welcoming visitors from the end of March until October, these stunning seasonal gardens are absolutely worth exploring. 

The woodlands gardens burst forth with spring colour, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and blossom into flower from Christmas onwards with beautiful hydrangeas and eucryphia flowering in July. Moving forward as you traverse the winding paths in the Baronet’s Bog Garden you’ll feel as if you just stepped into a fairytale. That’s not all - a carpet of wonderful wildflowers await you as you make your way through Ladies Walk and discover the four secret, romantic Walled Gardens. Hartland Abbey truly combines beauty, peace and history in one package and has remained, almost, unchanged over the centuries.

Northam Burrows Country Park

Popular with visitors throughout the year, Northam Burrows Country Park, is a vast expanse of common land situated at the mouth of the Taw/Torridge estuary. The burrows lie within North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as well as being a Site of Special Scientific Internet that is home to many rare plants and animals.

Surrounded by spectacular coastal scenery and providing access to Westward Ho! Beach (via the famous pebble ridge), this location offers a wealth of land and marine leisure activities. Here you’ll find the perfect place for a picnic, a spot of golf at The Royal North Devon Golf Club, or a peaceful walk. Fortunately the park is open to pedestrians all year round - so this 253 hectare expanse if yours to explore at your own leisure!

The Gnome Reserve and Wildflower Garden

(Source: wogai)

Get ready to step away and discover a magical world, inhabited solely by...gnomes! The Gnome Reserve and Wildflower Garden is located in West Putford near Bradworthy and provides people of all ages with a truly fascinating experience. As you meander through 4 acres of enchanting old beechwood, you’ll meet the largest collection of antique gnomes. The gardens also boast an extraordinary wildflower trail which contains about 250 different species of wildflower, herbs, grasses and ferns. So pop your gnome hat on, tuck into a real Devon cream tea and let the adventure begin!

Arlington Court

(Source: stevieharps48)

Hidden in the lichen-draped landscape of North Devon, lies Arlington Court. This intriguing Regency house hosts an impressive collection of horse-drawn carriages, set in a picturesque garden. Don’t forget your camera as a plethora of unmissable photo opportunities await you! Fortunately, Arlington looks beautiful whatever the season, from the ever-changing display of flowers in the Victorian Garden to the myriad of fruit and vegetables in the Walled Kitchen Garden - this stunning setting is yours to get lost in. 

The parkland itself around Arlington is truly not to be missed. Set in a picturesque style, parkland was introduced and planted within the Pleasure Grounds to frame a series of designed views. We definitely recommend taking a stroll down to the Wilderness Pond and Deerpark Wood!

Marwood Hill Garden

Located only 4 miles outside of Barnstaple, Marwood Hill Garden is a very special 20 acre private garden with three lakes that is magically set in a hidden valley. The gardens are truly a wonderful haven in which to relax and take in the impressive collection of plants, shrubs and trees. Marwood has been featured on many gardening programmes and enjoys an award-winning status. Magnificent displays of blossom from the massed camellias are followed by a stream of colour in the bog gardens - you may even spot a Kingfisher near one of the lakes if you’re lucky! No visit to the garden is complete without a trip to the Garden Tea Room though. You’ll discover why this award-winning tea room is so popular when you tuck into one of their homemade cakes! So if you’re looking for inspiration, a tasty treat, relaxation or just a great day out, Marwood Hill Gardens are the one for you! 

Castle Hill Gardens

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Steeped in history and located on the Southern Edge of Exmoor in the village of Filleigh, Castle Hill House and Gardens are home to the Fortescue family and offer visitors a fantastic garden experience, whatever the season. Arriving, your eye will be drawn to the impressive ochre coloured house that is tucked under the hill, on which is perched the Castle.

The gardens themselves have proudly been awarded an accolade from Jim Gardener as one of the great Parks & Gardens in the South West. The astonishing 18th century landscape is speckled with statues, follies and temples built over the years by the Fortescue family. Begin your journey with a trip through the Millenium Garden, with its striking water feature. Pass through the formal pathways in front of the house where your eye will be drawn to the distant Triumphal Arch and incredible Holwell Temple. Wander amongst woodland gardens and stroll down to the river then take a climb to the Castle to witness panoramic views of Exmoor, Dartmoor and beyond. 

So there you have it, we’re certainly not short on gardens and parks here in North Devon! What’s better is that the majority of them are open and look spectacular no matter the time of year! If you’ve taken any photos around any of the mentioned locations then we’d love to see them! Head over to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and be sure to either send us your snaps or tag us!