A Festival of Gardens, Devon

Itinerary

Departing Shrewsbury at 08.00 we will break our journey at Burrow Farm Gardens, in Axminster, East Devon.

Day 1, Burrow Farm Gardens, Axminster with lunch and introductory talk

Having visited this beautiful garden many years ago we are so looking forward to returning. Set in the idyllic countryside between Axminster & Honiton there are 13 acres of lovingly designed gardens to explore. Following an introductory talk about the garden you are free to enjoy a stroll in this peaceful oasis where the naturalistic planting complements the stunning rural views. Coffee will be served on arrival and lunch is also included.

Is it too early in the tour to be tempted by the special plants featured in the garden and sold in The Nursery?

Day 2, Colton Fishacre National Trust

At the country home of the D’Oyly Carte family you can travel back in time to the Jazz Age.

This most evocative of country homes was built in the Arts & Crafts style, and is imbued with Art Deco elegance. A light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms, and music plays, echoing the family’s Gilbert and Sullivan connections. Visit the house at your leisure for an insight into 1920s life ‘upstairs and downstairs’ from the glamorous Saloon and the airy servants’ rooms.

Coleton Fishacre enjoys a climate as mild as South Cornwall, thanks to being nestled in a valley and many exotic and tender plants thrive in the garden here. This RHS accredited garden offers viewpoints with enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive in the moist and sheltered valley.

Take a break for refreshments in the Café Coleton. Designed to reflect the colours of the coast, the light and airy interior is fresh and welcoming. Outside, there are plenty of seats and tables on the terrace. The menu include a range of hot and cold drinks to enjoy inside or to take away, plus a choice of light lunches, homemade cakes and of course locally made ice cream.

After our visit we will return to the hotel. If you are feeling energetic you can get off the coach in Torquay and make your own way back up to the hotel at your leisure.

Day 3, Paignton to Kingswear railway, ferry to Dartmouth and river cruise along the river Dart

Travelling from Paignot to Kingswear we have time to appreciate the glorious scenery on one of the finest train trips in the country. Our route takes us along the coast overlooking the River Dart and ascends 200 feet among the hills to cross historic viaducts and tunnels.

On arrival at Kingswear there is a short ferry ride to the picturesque town of Dartmouth where you are free to stroll around the many independent shops. Make your way to the riverside where you will be seriously spoiled for choice with a wide range of pubs, restaurants and cafes, which pride themselves on using local produce that has been grown or caught within a few miles of Dartmouth. Today also included a river tour along the beautiful River Dart.

Day 4, The Garden House & Wiley at Wildside

The Garden House, including morning coffee, lunch and introductory talk

Coffee will be served on arrival giving you time to take in one of the most romantic gardens in England. Set in a tranquil Devon valley this beautiful garden is steeped in history which we will hear about during an introductory talk. It is several gardens in one and a plantsperson’s paradise holding delights for both the seasoned gardener and for those who simply enjoy exploring the beauty and tranquillity of 12 acres of stunning gardens. May should be the perfect time to see the magnificent Wisterias, Azaleas and Rhododendron. Stroll around the Summer Garden, Cottage Garden, the Walled Garden and the Jubilee Arboretum and you’ll enjoy finding new views at every turn.

More plant temptation! Visit the well-stocked shop, with plants sourced from specialist, local suppliers and a small range of carefully chosen plants, propagated from plants that grow in the garden.

Wiley at Wildside, guided tour from the garden owner

Wildside is hailed by many as the most imaginative and adventurous garden in England today. Keith Wiley was head gardener at The Garden House, from 1978 to 2003. He left there to create Wildside, starting with a 3-acre flat field on the rainy fringes of Dartmoor. Here he pioneered an adventurous new approach to horticulture, which he will tells us about as he takes us round the garden. His aim has always been to work in harmony with nature, allowing plants to thrive much as they would in the wild. He takes inspiration from nature to create areas of planting that capture the essence of some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes on the planet. Over the last 20 years the garden has evolved from the flat, featureless field to a rich and complex landscape that offers ecological niches to a vast array of plants.

By manipulating scale, a three acre site feels much bigger than it is, evoking deep mysterious valleys and distant mountain tops, or the journey of water from a sacred spring to the oxbow lakes of the plain. The garden captures the essence of remembered landscapes, ranging across the globe from the Temblor hills of California to the rockscapes of Utah, from the flower meadows of South Africa to the mossy walls and tumbledown barns of England.

From here we will make our way back to the hotel.

Day 5, RHS Rosemoor with garden tour

This inspirational RHS Rosemoor is one of those ‘must visit’ destinations. Set in the beautiful Torridge Valley it occupies 65 acres of garden and woodland, blending formal and informal plantings to magical effect. A guided tour will be available if you want to know more about the garden.

As you make your way through the garden you will experience the newest areas first, beginning with the Formal Garden and then the Stream Field and Lake to the north. These in turn lead toward the South West and Devon Orchards and the very popular Fruit and Vegetable Garden. Walking through the Underpass you discover the contrasting original garden of Lady Anne Berry, which consists of many garden ‘rooms’ that blend seamlessly into one.

When you are ready for refreshments there are a number of different eateries to choose from. At the RHS shop there is one final opportunity to pick up just one more plant!

From here we will make our way back to Shropshire with a comfort break enroute.

20.00 Arrive Shrewsbury

Booking your place

Please select the room type of your choice when booking.

Twin / double for two people sharing £1054 per person
Twin / double with sea view for two people sharing £1132 per person
Single room with single bed for sole occupancy £1054
Double room for sole occupancy £1222
Double room with sea view for sole occupancy £1377

National Trust member discount is £15. RHS member discount is £13 and will be applied when booking.

£100 non-refundable deposit is payable on booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

And finally…

You are strongly advised to take out your own travel insurance to cover you for any emergency or cancellation or loss of luggage etc.

We have an ‘All Weather Policy’ which means the tour will go ahead come rain or shine unless the Met Office announces it is unsafe to travel. You are advised to check the weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Please look at the Hotel Information and Mobility & Accessibility sections further down this for information on venues.

The Headland Hotel, Torquay

The Headland Hotel

Situated in the seaside town of Torquay on the English Riviera, this iconic hotel has 78 elegant guest rooms and suites, most with heart-stopping sea views of Torbay and the South Devon coastline or overlooking the picturesque garden. Unique room designs and layouts characterize the historic hotel. There is no better place to stay to discover the English Riviera and its breath-taking surrounds. We also have use of the Spa during our stay.

Check the hotel’s Accessibility Statement here.

Bedroom types put lots of information here

Twin / double for two people sharing £1054 per person
Twin / double with sea view for two people sharing £1132 per person
Single room, with a single bed, for sole occupancy £1054
Double room for sole occupancy £1222
Double room with sea view for sole occupancy £1377

We have a variety of room types available so please read the room descriptions carefully.

Use of the Spa – JB to check this re cost

Please check here to see charges for using the spa facilities and booking. There is a charge of £10 per person per session for full use of the Spa facilities including Hydro Pools, a cold plunge pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna & Steam rooms to all our residents.

Accessibility & Mobility Information

To help you decide if this holiday is suitable for you please check the accessibility and options for mobility assistance at each destination. If are booking mobility vehicles please do this directly with the venue concerned.

Burrow Farm Garden provides details of the garden terrain and other facilities.

Scroll down the page and click on the ‘Accessibility’ tab for information on Coleton Fishacre.

The Garden House, has a map near the top of the page showing the terrain in the garden. Scroll down the page and click the ‘Access’ tab for more information.

Wiley at Wildside, scroll down the page to the Accessibility statement.

For information on the river cruise follow the link to FAQs, scroll down the page to the ‘What is your access policy’ tab. Right click on the link to read about access on the train and river boat.

RHS Rosemoor has lots of information including the hire of mobility vehicles.

A Celebration of Beautiful Gardens in Devon

Tour Information

Limited availability for sole occupancy. Call Jacky directly on 07892 953217 to enquire. Twin or double occupancy is available and you can book online or call Jacky.

We can’t believe it is 8 years since we last visited Devon. What have we been waiting for?

Itinerary

Devon Gardens in May

Itinerary

Day 1, Burrow Farm Gardens, Axminster with lunch and introductory talk

Day 2, Colton Fishacre National Trust

Day 3, Paignton to Kingswear railway, ferry to Dartmouth and river cruise along the river Dart

Day 4, The Garden House & Wiley at Wildside

Day 5, RHS Rosemoor with garden tour

Booking your place

The Headland Hotel

Bedroom types put lots of information here