Cornwall and Devon - Gardens to visit, places to stay.

Devon and Cornwall have some of the UK's most attractive and stunning gardens with a landscape that is exciting and sometimes surprising. Miles of beautiful coastline draw you to the sea while inland there are vast expanses of dramatic moorland such as Bodmin Moor and stunning rolling countryside perfect for walking and relaxing.

Here is just a taste of some of the beautiful gardens and estates in this area.

Devon has many fine gardens. The mild climate allows gardeners to grow tender and exotic plants which bring colour and excitement. Castle Hill, near Barnstaple, has a Millennium garden designed by Xa Tollemache, a Chelsea Gold Medallist. There are large herbaceous borders edged with box and lavender as well as woodland gardens where camellias, magnolias and azaleas are planted in abundance. (www.castlehilldevon.co.uk)

Hartland Abbey nr Bideford is situated in a stunning valley with a charming house. Formerly an Augustinian monastery, the 18th century woodland gardens were planted leading to three secret walled gardens. Gertrude Jekyll created many features here but were subsequently lost, however, during the 1990s Jekyll’s paths and Fernery were discovered and restored. (www.hartlandabbey.com)

At Buckland Abbey there is an interesting Herb and Elizabethean Garden. Buckland is a National Trust property and can be found 6 miles south of Tavistock. Between March and October the house and estate is open Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sunday between 10.30am and 5.30pm.

Near Exeter Castle Drogo (NT) is a granite and oak castle designed by Lutyens. The terraced formal gardens with colourful borders and rose beds offer panoramic views over Dartmoor. The garden is open every day between 18th March & 29th October 10.30am to 5.30pm.

With amazing views over the Salcombe estuary, Overbeck’s (NT) at Sharpitor, has a beautiful garden in a sheltered microclimate. This is a luxuriant coastal garden which is open all year from 10 to 6pm every day.

Other notable gardens in Devon include Broomhill Sculpture Garden (www.broomhillart.co.uk), Clovelly Court Garden (www.clovelly.co.uk) Docton Mill, (www.doctonmill.co.uk) Marwood Hill Gardens (www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk) and of course RHS Garden Rosemoor at Great Torrington (www.rhs.org./rosemoor).

Over the last few years new visitors to Cornwall have been drawn by the Eden Project (below) and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. However, there are many fine gardens to whet the appetite and here we look at just a few.

Cotehele, at St Dominick, is a medieval house with a steep valley garden containing tender plants which thrive in the mild climate. It is a National Trust Property set on the wooded slopes of the River Tamar. Around the house there are formal gardens and terraces and for the more adventurous lovely walks through woodland. The garden is open every day throughout the year 10.30am to dusk.

Pine Lodge Gardens & Nursery at Holmbush, St Austell, has over 30 acres with herbaceous and shrub borderes, water features, Japanese garden and wild flower meadow. (www.pine-lodge.co.uk) Glendurgan Garden, Falmouth, (NT) offers a valley of fine trees and shrubs and water gardens. The garden actually runs down to the village of Durgan with its beach on the Helford River. Open From Feb to October 10.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park at Torpoint, is set in historic 18th century gardens with follies and forts. Caerhays Castle & Garden at St Austell, is situated within woodland gardens and noted for its camellias, rhododendrons and oaks. (www.caerhays.co.uk)

Lanhydrock (NT) Bodmin, is set in a beautiful estate of woods and parkland running down to the River Fowey. The gardens range from formal Victorian parterres to the wooded garden where you will find wonderful magnolias, camellias and beech. The garden is open all year 10am to 6pm.

Antony House & Garden (NT) Torpoint, has grounds landscaped by Repton. The formal garden has the National Collection of Day Lillies and fine summer borders. The woodland garden is open March to October 11 – 5.30 on Tue, Wed, Thurs, Saturday and Sun.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan at St Austell, offers pure delight with its restored Victorian pleasure grounds, pools and rockeries all set within the beautiful Cornish landscape. (www.heligan.com)

Trelissick Garden (NT) contains a wonderful collection of exotic plants. Positioned at the head of the Fal estuary, the estate commands panoramic views over the area. Garden is open every day with some exceptions in December.

Log onto www.nationaltrust.org.uk for a complete list of opening times and details of all National Trust Properties.