Devon is filled with a wealth of public gardens which are open to visitors, and it is home to one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens, RHS Garden Rosemoor at Torrington. However, it also has a very large number of charity garden openings, including the National Open Garden Scheme (NGS). Private gardens across the county are open to visitors to explore, often with the added bonus of tea and cake. Here’s a handful of the openings taking place this summer.
Lewis Cottage
Deep in the heart of the mid Devon countryside is this four-acre garden which has evolved over the last 30 years. It has woodland walks, a large pond, rose garden, herbaceous borders and a fruit and vegetable garden. It’s been lovingly created by its owners who have included many personal touches and horticultural tributes to friends and family. It’s great for plant sales too, with its own nursery.
Spreyton, near Crediton, EX17 5AA. Open: Sat 24, Sun 25 June, Sat 29 and Sun 30 July, Sat 26 and Sun 27 August (12-5). Admission £5, children free. Light refreshments.
Brendon Gardens
These gardens are in a stunning part of Exmoor National Park. Brent Farm is a stylish courtyard garden, with an adjoining paddock and young orchard. Hall Farm is a 16th century longhouse set in tranquil mature gardens with a lake and wild areas. Higher Tippacott Farm is set high on the moor, with wonderful views and many interconnecting levels to explore. Meadpool House is a spacious and restful riverside garden.
Brendon, Lynton, EX35 6PU. Open: Sat 5, Sun 6 August (12-5). Combined admission £6, children free. Light refreshments.
Moretonhampstead Gardens
Two large gardens on the edge of this Dartmoor town, one in a wooded valley, the other higher up and with views across the moor. Both have mature orchards and vegetable gardens, substantial shrubs and plenty of colour. Mardon has herbaceous borders, terraces, a fernery and stream-fed pond. There are more ponds at Sutton Mead, with woods to walk through, secluded seating areas and unusual planting.
Moretonhampstead, TQ13 8PW. Open: Sat 2, Sun 3 September (1-5). Combined admission £7, children free. Home-made teas, also light lunches in the form of soup and savoury scones.
South Wood Farm
A chance to see a garden designed by Arne Maynard, which shows how a contemporary design can be integrated into a traditional setting. The garden wraps around a beautiful 17th century thatched farmhouse and it includes herbaceous borders, a knot garden, yew topiary, wildflower meadows, orchards and a large kitchen garden.
Cotleigh, Honiton, EX14 9HU. Open: Sat 16, Sun 17 September (2-5) Admission £6, children free. Home-made teas.
Heavitree’s Unexpected Gardens
Opening together for the NGS for the first time are these four city gardens, which you discover on a 2km circular walk. It begins with Blue Jay Way, a plantsman’s guerilla garden created in a walkway alongside a supermarket car park. Then on to insect-friendly and Greek olive grove-inspired, 31 Regents Park. 14 Third Avenue is a steep terraced garden with dramatic landscaping and Elysium Lodge is one of the most secret and surprising gardens in Exeter.
North Street, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2RH. Open: Sat 1, Sun 2 July (1-5). Combined admission £5, children free. Light refreshments.
Am Brook Meadow
This country garden has been developed over 17 years to encourage wildlife. It has wildflower meadows, large ponds and streams with wild areas. There’s also a formal courtyard garden with water features and herbaceous borders and prairie-style planting. Expect to see ducks, swans and bees among the wildlife.
Torbryan, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, TQ12 5UP. Open: Sat 22, Sun 23 July (2-6.30) Admission £6, children free.
Bickham House
There are six acres to explore around this beautiful house, Sweeping lawns, borders, mature trees and a walled garden filled with colourful profusion of vegetables and flowers. There’s a formal parterre with a lily pond and a palm tree avenue leading to a summerhouse. Visit the cactus and succulent greenhouse and expect to see plenty of late summer colour.
Kenn, Exeter, EX6 7XL. Open: Sun 4, Sun 25 June, Sun 9, Sun 23 July, Sun 6, Sun 20 August, Sun 3 September (1.30-5) Admission £6, children free. Home-made teas.
Greatcombe
This garden is hidden away in a Dartmoor valley and has been created from scratch, and with making the most of its beautiful setting. It’s known for its unusual planting and colour schemes, which cluster around the moorland stream that runs through the garden. It’s a tranquil space and a haven for pollinators. There’s an artist’s studio and plant nursery to explore.
Holne, Newton Abbot, TQ13 7SP. Open: Fri 16, Sat 17, Sun 18, Fri 30 June, Sat 1, Sun 2, Fri 14, Sat 15, Sun 16, Fri 28, Sat 29, Sun 30 July (1-5) Admission £5 Children free. Home-made teas
Blackbury Honey Farm
This new NGS opening is on a working honey farm, so it’s alive with pollinators. There are large beds and borders with a wide range of colourful perennials and annuals. There are 20 acres of wildflower meadows and a large apple orchard, also a herb garden and a polytunnel growing salads and vegetables for the farm’s tearoom.
Southleigh, Colyton, EX24 6JF. Open: Thursday 22 June, Thursday 13 July (10-4) Admission £5 Children free. Cream teas, light lunches.
Squirrels
This small town garden is a plantsman’s paradise. It’s landscaped with small ponds and a 7ft waterfall. There are Japanese, Italianate, Spanish and tropical areas. There are lots of unusual and tender plants and it has fruits including peaches, figs and kiwi. It’s a clever environmental garden too with its hidden rainwater storage containers and solar heating.
98 Barton Road, Torquay, TQ2 7NS. Open: Sat 29, Sun 30 July (2-5) Admission £5. Children free. Home-made teas.
The Walled Garden
Explore a one-acre historic walled garden and adjacent orchard which has been undergoing a transformation since 2018. It’s a productive kitchen garden, with peaches and nectarines, as well as mature olive trees. There’s a water rill and paradise pond, as well as an orchard and small-scale wildflower meadow. It’s a new opening for the NGS this year.
Nelson Coach House, Staverton, Totnes TQ9 6PA. Open: Fri 14, Sun 16 July (11-5). Admission £5. Children free
To find more openings go to ngs.org.uk
