Gardens of Devon

Nestled in a scenic valley in North Devon, this 65-acre haven is a vibrant celebration of biodiversity. Explore the renowned ‘garden rooms,’ each showcasing seasonal themes and diverse plant designs. Enjoy the vivid colors of the Hot Garden or relax in the Cool Garden’s soothing pastels and teardrop pond. Discover trees from around the world, visit the heritage apple orchard, or get inspired by the Fruit and Vegetable Garden.

Castle Hill, located in Filleigh, North Devon, is an early Neo-Palladian country house built in 1730 by Hugh Fortescue, 14th Baron Clinton. This grand 18th-century mansion is a rare example of its style in Devon and was later redesigned after a fire in 1934. Designated a Grade II* listed building in 1967, its park and gardens are also Grade I listed. Today, the estate is leased by Eleanor, Countess of Arran, granddaughter of Hugh Fortescue, 5th Earl Fortescue.

Hartland Abbey, located in Hartland, Devon, is a historic former abbey and current family home of the Stucley family, with Sir Hugh George Copplestone Bampfylde Stucley, 6th Baronet, as the current owner. Established in 1157 and consecrated in 1160, the abbey was founded by the Augustinian order with generous contributions from the Botreaux family of Boscastle, Cornwall. Notably, William de Botreaux made significant donations in the 12th century, including church advowsons, which were confirmed by a charter from King Richard I.

Established over 1,000 years ago, docton Mill was initially part of the Royal Manor of Harton, supporting local farms with water-powered milling technology. The mill produced flour for Giffords of Hartland until 1910, after which it was adapted into a private home and converted to generate electricity in the 1930s, operating until 1950. The original generation setup remains unchanged, still capable of producing 5 KVA. Purchased in 1977, the property underwent significant renovations and expansions, including the addition of woodland gardens, herbaceous borders, and greenhouses, with ongoing improvements since 2000.

Baggy Point, a rugged headland in North Devon, was gifted to the National Trust by the Hyde family in 1939. Edwin Hyde and his sisters, Connie and Florence, lived on this dramatic site before donating it. Today, the National Trust carefully manages baggy Point to protect its wildlife while accommodating the 70,000 annual visitors who come to enjoy stunning views over North Devon’s sandy beaches and across to Lundy Island

Tapeley Park, in Westleigh, North Devon, features a Grade II* listed mansion built around 1704 and remodeled into a Queen Anne style in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The estate was featured on Country House Rescue in 2011. The Grade II* listed gardens include Italianate terraces, a kitchen garden, and a permaculture garden. The estate covers 6,000 acres, including Saunton Beach and Braunton Burrows, and is managed by the Christie Devon Estates Trust.