Glorious Gardens
The English Riviera is the place for a holiday in which you can indulge in your passion for all things horticultural, with over 2000 acres of award-winning gardens to explore and a wealth of subtropical species found nowhere else on the UK mainland.
There is certainly a huge range of plants and styles of gardening to be seen. From the formal 17th Century walled gardens of Torre Abbey and the traditional country estate of Cockington Court, to the beautiful seafront Princess Gardens and magnificent stretches of coastline and countryside including Battery Gardens, the English Riviera offers visitors with all kinds of exotica in a stunning variety of locations.
Across the South West peninsula there is a wealth of gardens and natural landscapes to explore and enjoy. The Bay provides a good touring base with many acclaimed gardens, National Trust Estates and specialist plant nurseries just a short journey away.
A suggested itinerary:
Visit Brunel Woods, now a Listed Historic Garden, for beautiful woodland footpaths with commanding views. Isambard Kingdom Brunel laid the foundations of Brunel Manor (now a private hotel) here in 1854.
The imposing 65 foot commemorative carved 'totem pole' is worth a look, although the magnificent coastal views are the real highlight. Oldway Mansion in Paignton is a perfect choice for a garden enthusiast's late morning visit.
Built for Isaac Merritt Singer, founder of the Singer Sewing Machine, the architecture is incomparable with any other building in the area. Explore the formal, 18th Century Italian style gardens and the less formal gardens on the estate. From here, you are within easy distance of the magnificent, 300-acre Greenway Estate situated on the banks of the River Dart and once the home of the famous crime writer Agatha Christie.
Your group can have a late lunch at the Greenway Café before taking a guided walk to explore 30 acres of wild and romantic gardens, which include a notable collection of species from Western China and South America. The glorious woodland garden features rare half-hardy trees underplanted with native wild flowers.
Please note: There is room for one 25-seater coach at the property at any one time. Larger groups in coaches may charter a local ferry from Totnes or Dartmouth to reach Greenway, and enjoy a cruise on the river as part of their day out. Please call (01803) 842382 for more information.
Brunel Woods +44 (0)1803 606035
Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear +44 (0)1803 752466
Greenway +44 (0)1803 842382
Oldway Mansion +44 (0)1803 201201
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