Open Gardens

Hospiscare has an excellent program of Open Gardens for you to visit in 2008, thanks to some wonderful gardeners! We raised nearly £16,000 in 2007. If you would help us this year by enjoying even more beautiful gardens, contact Vicky on 01392 688063 or v.lachenicht@hospiscare.co.uk for a brochure with full details.

This year, for the first time we have a Garden and Country Fair on the 7th of June. If you love gardening, you must come along. See below for details.

Look forward to another great summer of enjoying beautiful gardens in Devon, we'll see you there!

Gardens for 2008

• Dunsford, Exeter
  4 -11 May inclusive, 11am-5.30pm
  Eastern Hill Farm. Bring the family to enjoy this stunning woodland area with 4 wildlife ponds and delightful bluebell walks. Visit 2 farmhouse gardens then enjoy a delicious afternoon tea or, on either Sunday, enjoy a ploughman’s lunch. Admission by donation, dogs on leads. From Exeter take the Moretonhampstead road B3212. Proceed through the village of Longdown, continue for a further 2 miles, take left hand turning at Farrants Cross to Bridford/Christow B3193. At Leigh Cross (by white thatched cottage) turn left under the disused railway bridge, continue up the hill for 1 mile, the farm is the 3rd turning on the right. EX67BW.
• Kilmington, Axminster
  10-11 May and 17-18 May, 11am-5pm
  Old Cider Lodge. This 2.5 acre woodland garden surrounds a thatched cottage with stream, featuring azaleas, rhododendrons, herbaceous and water plants. Wide selection of remarkable trees including 80ft Californian redwood. Admission £2.50, dogs on leads. Kilmington lies 2 miles west of Axminster on A35. From Exeter take A30 to Honiton. From Honiton follow A35 Axminster Road. In Kilmington turn right into The Hill, right again into The Street and then left into Silver Street. EX13 7SW.
• Payhembury, Honiton
  18 May and 22 June , 2-5pm,
  Yarrow Park. A fabulous secret garden hidden away in a delightful village. Visitors can explore areas of herbaceous & rose borders and traditional cottage planting and vegetable garden. Stunning views over the Tale Valley. Admission £2.00, dogs on leads. From Exeter travelling on A30 to Honiton exit at Pattesons Cross. Sign posted Ottery St Mary, Feniton, Fairmile. Turn left for Feniton/Payhembury. Pass village post office on left, take next left and follow lane. Garden signposted on right. EX14 3HD.
• Alphington, Exeter
  25 May 2-5pm
  Pond House. Stunning woodland, naturalist garden set in 3 acres. Over 40 varieties of camellias, and established cornuses, plane trees and Japanese acacias. Part of the Peamore estate, enjoy this delightful garden with walks around the lake. Admission £2.00, dogs on leads. Travelling from Exeter on A379 towards A38 to Torquay. Just after crossing bridge look for signs on left ‘Peamore Gardens’. Pick up signs to garden en route from A38 near turn off to Alphington. EX2 9SL.
• Ottery St Mary
  28 May , 2-5pm.
  Beautiful Cadhay gardens are set among meadows with herbaceous borders, yew trees and original mediaeval fish ponds.Substantial walled garden and lawns with beautiful views over parkland. Admission £3, no dogs. Cadhay is 1 mile north of Ottery St Mary. If travelling from the west on the new A30 exit at Patteson’s Cross and follow signs for Fairmile and then Cadhay. If travelling from the east exit at the Iron Bridge and follow signs for Fairmile and then Cadhay. EX11 1QT.
• Garden and Country Fair, near Exeter
  7 June, 10.30am-5pm.
  Join us in the beautiful setting of Brockhill House, Broadclyst for our first Garden and Country Fair. Enjoy plant and flower stalls, willow & garden sculptures, gardening equipment, country crafts, home made produce, morning coffees, and ploughman’s lunches. Marquee events from 11.30am include Gardeners’ Question Time, a talk on herbs & a flower arranging demonstration. With lunch time music provided by The Lympstone South West Telecoms Band. Guide dogs only. £2.50 entry, special day ticket £10 to include entry, morning coffee, lunch with wine, afternoon tea and entry to marquee events, available in advance only. Call 01392 688063 to book. The fair will be locally signposted in and around Station Road, Broadclyst. EX5 3AR.
• Pinhoe, Exeter
  14-15 June, 2-5pm
  White Gables. An established garden with a mixed border, a rill, a wisteria arbour and lawn for delicious afternoon tea. Conveniently situated in the heart of Pinhoe. Admission by donation, dogs on leads. Travelling from Exeter on B3181 to Pinhoe. Garden in centre of Pinhoe, 300 yards on right up Church Hill from Pinhoe mini roundabout Pick up signs to garden en route. EX4 9EX.
• Westleigh, Tiverton
  15 June, 11.30-5.30pm.
  Lower Ebear Farmhouse. Enjoy a Sunday out in the countryside in this lovely garden with areas of herbaceous borders, vegetables and fruit cage. Bring the family for an excellent homemade lunch then wander around the fascinating collectors’ museum. Admission £3 to garden and museum, no dogs. Travelling from Exeter on M5 north, turn off at junction 27 towards Wellington at A38. Turn left at four way crossing. Signposted Burlescombe, Westleigh. Pick up signs to garden en route. EX16 7HP.
• Broadclyst, Exeter
  21-22 June 2-6pm
  Village Gardens. A number of gardens large and small open in and around the centre of Broadclyst. Plants on sale and art exhibition in church hall. Admission £5 to all gardens, dogs on leads. Travelling from Exeter on B3181 to Broadclyst. Turn left in centre of Broadclyst village, by the church and park in the field opposite the Red Lion, where further information will be available. EX5 3EW.
• Whitestone
  29 June 2-5pm
  Summer's Place. Sizeable woodland haven on challenging north slope and wooded valley. Steep paths intercept unusual plantings with ponds, arbours, seating, a ruin, also intimate ‘rooms’ surround house. Stunning views and quirky features. Attractions include Arabian mares and foals. Admission £3, dogs on leads. From M5, A30 towards Okehampton 1st left. 1st exit on roundabout, approx. 1 mile then left onto B3212 & immediately right towards Crediton. After approx. 2 miles turn right to Whitestone, follow signs. From Crediton/Fordton to Whitestone Road follow signs. Brief walk from car park. EX4 2HS.
• Fenny Bridges, Honiton
  29 June 2-5pm
  Little Ash Farm. . A peaceful garden within one acre with extensive views. Immaculate lawns, new and established trees & shrubs. Three linked ponds with delightful rill. Fruit & vegetables and golf putting course. Admission £3, no dogs. Fenny Bridges lies 3 miles west of Honiton. From Exeter take A30 to Honiton. Leave the A30 at Patteson’s Cross from Exeter (or Iron Bridge from Honiton) and pick up signs en route to garden. EX14 3BL.
• St Leonard's, Exeter
  5 July 2-5pm
  Four lovely gardens in this quiet part of Exeter, with different approaches to gardening, each unique and private with innovative art in the garden display.  Afternoon tea at Orchard House, Deepdene Park, off Wonford Road. Admission £4, dogs on leads. Gardens in the St Leonards area of Exeter with on street parking available on Victoria Park Road, Wonford Road & Matford Avenue. No parking charges at weekends. Tickets & maps available from 10 Manston Terrace or 15 Wonford Road. Total walking distance approx. 2.5 miles. EX2 4PH.
• Woodbury Salterton
  6 July 2-5pm
  The Old Vicarage. Large rambling organic garden surrounding the Victorian vicarage with 60ft herbaceous border and extensive vegetable and soft fruit garden. Wild life pond and small bog garden. Exhibition of bonsai from Exe Vale Bonsai club. Plants on sale. Admission £2, no dogs. From Exeter take A376 to Sidmouth. At the roundabout take 2nd exit onto A3052. At the sign to Woodbury Salterton turn right into Oilmill Lane and continue into village. The drive is between the church and the school. From Sidmouth turn at Whitehorse Lane and follow signs to village.EX5 1PG.
• Exeter
  12-13 July 2-5pm
  Bacca and Greenacres. Two delightful gardens, both very different with unique ‘challenges’ and excellent inspiration for terraced gardening. With lovely views, ponds and roses, enjoy a ‘two for one’ weekend. Admission by donation, dogs on leads. From Exeter take A377 Cowley Bridge Road towards Crediton. Greenacres on right after West Garth Road (before reaching Cowley Bridge). Baca is opposite Greenacres on left after West Garth Road. .EX4 5HY.
• Stockland, Honiton
  1 March - 6 July by appointment only
  Mellstock. Enjoy the delights and pleasures of this well established 1 acre cottage garden with trees, shrubs and bog garden. See many wildflowers and birds set in beautiful scenery and walk through the woodland garden. Admission by donation, dogs on leads. Between A30 and A35, 1 mile from Stockland Hill mast. Signposted Broadhayes or Millhayes. Please telephone 01404 881329 to book your appointment. EX14 9DH.
• Menbury, Honiton
  March - July by appointment week days only
  Sixpenny Moon. Very appealing small walled garden, big on plants and naturally dividing into different areas. This quirky garden has been planted for year round interest with emphasis on foliage, colour and form. Structural planting and sculpture. Admission by donation, dogs on leads. 4 miles north of Axminster in centre of Membury village, near the church.  Park opposite the village hall, garden 2nd gate on right. Please telephone 01404 881625 before visiting to confirm. EX13 7AF.
• Whitestone
  May - September by appointment only
  Summer's Place. Sizeable woodland haven on challenging north slope and wooded valley. Steep paths intercept unusual plantings with ponds, arbours, seating, a ruin, also intimate ‘rooms’ surround house. Stunning views and quirky features. Attractions include Arabian mares and foals. Admission £3, dogs on leads. Please telephone 01647 61786 to book & for directions Leave a message, all calls will be answered.. EX4 2HS.
• Fenny Bridges, Honiton
  June - September
  Little Ash Farm. . A peaceful garden within one acre with extensive views. Immaculate lawns, new and established trees & shrubs. Three linked ponds with delightful rill. Fruit & vegetables and golf putting course. Admission £3, no dogs. Fenny Bridges lies 3 miles west of Honiton. From Exeter take A30 to Honiton. Leave the A30 at Patteson’s Cross from Exeter (or Iron Bridge from Honiton) and pick up signs en route to garden. Please telephone 01404 850271 before visiting to confirm. EX14 3BL.