Glorious Gardens of South Devon

With unspoilt coast and countryside all around, the landscape of South Devon is the perfect backdrop for exploring some stunning gardens.  The tour includes exclusive visits to private gardens together with some historic gardens.  The Ilsington Hotel is a quintessential English country house hotel located within the boundaries of Dartmoor National Park. Set amidst 10 acres of landscaped gardens with stunning panoramic views over the moorland and granite tors of Dartmoor. A family run hotel for several generations, awarded two AA rosettes for food and numerous awards for the Spa.
Arrive at the hotel on Monday 9^th June.

Tuesday 10^th June:   The day starts start with the iconic gardens at Hotel Endsleigh, Humphry Repton was commissioned by the beautiful and notorious Georgina Duchess of Bedford to create what became known as the Garden Paradise of the West, 100 acres of fairy tale gardens, woodlands, follies and grottos.  Continue to The Garden House Buckland Monachorum.  This is a plantsman's garden created since 1945 by Lionel Fortesque.  The garden is set within the walls that were part of a medieval monastery and now spreads to some 7 acres. It includes great drifts of cottage garden favourites, terraces, formal long borders, a quarry garden and an inspiring planting design.  (Light lunch will be provided). Then late afternoon definitely a contrast Wildside.  Thought by many to be the most imaginative and adventurous garden in England today – Keith Wiley a passionate plantsman over the past 15 years has moved tonnes of rock and soil to create the spectacular landscape in a looser, more naturalistic style of planting.

Wednesday 11^th June:  A visit to Middle Well, a two acre garden with woodland and streams containing a wealth of interesting plants chosen for colour, form and long season of interest. Then heading to the coast to visit Coleton Fishacre.  The Arts and Crafts inspired house and beautiful gardens were created by Rupert and Lady Dorothy D'Olyly Carte in the 1920s.  Formal terrace plantings and exotic plants thrive in the subtropical climate and sheltered valley with wildflowers abound and coastal views. (Lunch can be purchased in their tea rooms).  On returning to the hotel a visit to Plant World Gardens and Nursery.   The gardens planted as the first ever ‘Map-of-the World Gardens’ are laid out to represent the five continents of the world with countless rare and exotic plants.

Thursday 12^th June: This morning two lovely private gardens.  Sutton Mead and Dunley House.  The former tucked away in the lovely Devon lanes is a large garden with splendid views of Dartmoor, an abundance of interest with unusual planting, grasses, bog garden, granite walls and rill fed pond.  (Morning coffee/tea and cake). Dunley House. A large garden set among mature oaks, sequoiadendrons and a huge liquidambar.  Walled garden with borders and fruit and vegetables, rose garden and new garden with lily pond.

Check out of the hotel before the garden visits in the morning after which the coach will drop at Newton Abbot station 2 pm (tbc) before returning to the hotel for departure.