Thanks to its mild climate and fertile soils, Devon is able to play host to a large number of beautiful parks and gardens. From quintessential English country gardens to fragrant oases inspired by the tropics, you can travel the world whilst simply staying in the county.
You don’t have to be a seasoned horticulturalist to enjoy the many beautiful gardens in Devon. Offering something for everyone, they provide hours of discovery and exploration amongst a kaleidoscope of colourful petals and floral perfumes mingling in the air. To get started, here are 10 gardens in Devon to visit during a luxury retreat.
Lukesland Gardens, Ivybridge
Lukesland is a family-run garden within Dartmoor National Park. Nestled in the pretty Addicombe Brook Valley, the 24-acre Lukesland is especially popular in spring and autumn for its flowering shrubs and trees. Some of its floral residents actually date back to Victorian times.
Hartland Abbey & Gardens, Bideford
This beautiful parcel of North Devon has been gardened since the 12th Century, when Augustinian canons first worked the land. Walk the mile from the house to the Atlantic coast, wander through the estate’s peaceful woodland and explore the walled gardens and more.
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington
Set within the Torridge Valley, Rosemoor is a magical place to visit, featuring both formal and informal gardens across 65 acres. The kind of place you can keep going back to season after season, every visit will yield something new to discover and appreciate.
Stone Lane Gardens, Chagford
Stone Lane Gardens comprise a gorgeous 5-acre area of woodland gardens, renowned for their collections of birch and alder trees. Adding an extra visual dimension to these Dartmoor-based gardens is the outdoor sculpture exhibition held each summer, showcasing West Country artists.
Marwood Hill Gardens, Barnstaple
Marwood Hill encompasses 20 acres of stunning gardens and three lakes, all within a tranquil valley setting in North Devon. Wander through corridors of wisteria, trace the banks of mirror-topped lakes and ogle the valley views from the onsite Garden Tearoom.
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens, Budleigh Salterton
Bicton’s award-winning world heritage botanical gardens should be on everyone’s list of gardens to visit in Devon. Open all year, the gardens parade 300 years of gardening history across over 64 acres of land and include many rare species from around the world.
The Garden House, Yelverton
The Garden House is a pleasure for all generations looking to enjoy the colourful borders and floral air. Spread across 10 acres, the gardens include the Cottage Garden, the Walled Garden, the Jubilee Arboretum and more, while seasonal highlights include the snowdrop festival early in the year.
Killerton Gardens, Broadclyst
Killerton’s gardens are famous for their rare trees and shrubs and provide a year-round destination for discovery. In spring, enjoy the wealth of flowering bulbs, magnolias and azaleas, before relishing the heady perfumes of herbaceous borders in summer and embracing the fiery colours of autumn.
Overbeck's Garden, Salcombe
Otto Overbeck’s paradisaical gardens are hidden away on the cliffs high above Salcombe, beckoning for an escape into subtropical realms. A sensory feast, these South Devon gardens boast surprises at every turn, not to mention beautiful views over Kingsbridge Estuary and the coast beyond.
Dartington Hall Gardens, Totnes
Amble around Dartington Hall’s 26 acres of manicured, Grade II* listed gardens and grounds and discover an array of eye-catching features. Savour far-reaching vistas, striking species of plants and many ancient trees, including the estate’s 1,500-year-old yew tree.
Feeling inspired? Take a look through our luxury Devon retreats here.
