“ I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.” Steven Spielberg.
The Garden House, in a valley on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, is set over 10 acres of stunning gardens. Described by BBC presenter, Toby Buckland as “a plantsman’s paradise”, the gardens offer something for not just the seasoned gardener but also those just wishing to enjoy a day out in beautiful surroundings and to be immersed in colour, scent and wonderful views at every turn. A cafe with cosy seating indoors or a bright south facing terrace outdoors, offers light refreshments and cakes, during opening hours and a plant centre on exit means everyone can take a little bit of The Garden House’s inspiration home with them!
The extraordinary variety of planting, more than 6,000 different varieties, ensures a feast of colour and interest throughout the year:
The snowdrop festival throughout the month of February is an annual highlight, as are the Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas later in the spring.
The hot herbaceous borders of the Summer Garden which then lead through to the Cottage Garden’s flower meadows all begin to delight from early summer onwards.
The Walled Garden which sits within the ruined walls of the original 16th century vicarage, comes into its own from August through to the end of September with borders awash with herbaceous perennials and shrubs such as hydrangea, phlox, eryngiums and dahlias.
The Japanese maples that gently sit either side of a natural tumbling water feature, turn to stunning colours throughout the Autumn months.
The Jubilee Arboretum (opened in 2011 by the Countess of Wessex) contains more than 100 specimen trees carefully selected for their impact and interest, and are planted around two natural lakes – a beautiful place to sit and contemplate at any time of the year!
The Garden House is at the forefront of a revolution in ‘naturalistic planting’ – working in harmony with nature rather than against it, allowing flowers to intermingle to provide a living kaleidoscopes of colour and a magnate for pollinators.
Shop
Restaurant/Cafe
Disabled Access
Guide Dogs permitted
Toilets for Disabled Visitors
We are an RHS Partner Garden. RHS members have FREE admission to The Garden House every Friday.