Visits 2024
Tuesday 6th February – Higher Cherubeer, Winkleigh
A 1.75 acre garden with a spectacular
display of over 400 varieties of snowdrops. Woodland beds are full with
naturalised cyclamen and snowdrops at this time of year.
Friday 5th April - Marwood Hill, Nr. Barnstaple
The 20 acre garden is located in a steep valley in North Devon with several lakes interspersed with paths. There is a magnificent display of blossom from the majestic camellias and rhododendrons. The garden is a haven for wildlife where kingfishers are regular visitors to the lakes, and rough areas of grass provide both food and hibernation sites for butterflies and moths.
Friday 3rd May – Toby Buckland's Garden festival, Powderham Castle
This will be the
10th year of the Festival held in the grounds of Powderham Castle
where many award-winning nurseries will be exhibiting their quality plants for
sale and offering expert advice. There will be talks given by various experts
throughout the day together with demonstrations. There are several food and
drink vendors on site.
Friday 17th May – Regency House, Hemyock
This impressive house was originally built as
the village rectory but became a private house in the early 20th
century. When the current owners arrived in 1990 there was very little here by
way of a garden except a few large trees together with the giant magnolia on
the back of the house. There are various areas of interest with a small walled
garden ad beds filled with tender perennials.
Tuesday 4th June – Haldon Grange, Dunchideock
Tuesday 2nd July – Forde Abbey, Chard
Forde Abbey is
reputedly home to the highest powered fountain in the country. The
award-winning gardens have evolved over 900 years and include topiary,
colourful herbaceous borders, an arboretum and bog garden providing all-year
round interest. There are meandering pathways with plenty of benches and
seating to admire the views along the way and an extensive plant nursery.
Friday 2nd August – Taunton Flower Show
Forde Abbey is
reputedly home to the highest powered fountain in the country. The
award-winning gardens have evolved over 900 years and include topiary,
colourful herbaceous borders, an arboretum and bog garden providing all-year
round interest. There are meandering pathways with plenty of benches and
seating to admire the views along the way and an extensive plant nursery.
Friday 30th August – Otter Nurseries and Cadhay House
In the morning we
shall visit Otter Nurseries in Ottery St Mary, family-owned and run since 1964
where we’ll be able to browse the extensive collection of plants on offer.
Lunch will be taken in their restaurant. We then travel to Cadhay House, a
short drive away, to a beautiful and historic Tudor manor house built in 1550.
We have the option of joining the house tour or just wander through the gardens
and medieval fish ponds or to just sit outside and enjoy a cup of tea and slice
of cake!
Wednesday 18th September – Springfield House, Colyford
A one acre garden
with mainly new planting. There are numerous beds, the majority of plants grown
from cuttings and seed, keeping cost to a minimum. There is a range of colour
throughout the garden from spring to autumn. There’s a vegetable garden, fruit
cage, orchard with ducks and chickens and a large formal pond. There are
wonderful views over the River Axe and a path leads to a bird sanctuary, which
is well worth a visit.
Tuesday 22nd October – Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury
Westonbirt Arboretum’s story begins with the wealthy Victorian landowner, Robert Holford, an ambitious man with a passion for the natural world. Westonbirt is one of the most beautiful and important plant collections in the world, with 15,000 specimens and 2,500 species of tree. The arboretum plays a vital role in research and conservation as well as being a stunning place to visit to experience rare, interesting and beautiful plants from the furthest corners of the globe. Autumn is possibly the best season to visit Westonbirt to experience the amazing range of colours at this particular time of year.