Garden Excursions

Abbotsbury

The subtropical Gardens are now considered one of the best in the country. Established in 1765 these 20 acres are perfectly suited to "wet Mediterranean" plants and are famous for their Camellia, magnolia, rhododendron and hydrangea collections. A mixture of formal and informal, with charming walled garden walks and spectacular woodland valley views. More information.

Lyme Regis: 40min
Plymouth: 1hr 50min
Portland: 30min
Poole: 1hr
Torquay: 1hr 40min

Athelhampton House and Gardens

The Grade I Listed garden is full of vistas and gains much from the fountains and River Piddle flowing through. The walled gardens include the world-famous topiary pyramids and collections of tulips, roses, magnolias, clematis and lilies. The gardens were winner of Christies’ Gardens of The Year Competition in 1997.

Lyme Regis: 50min
Portland: 35min
Poole: 30min
Torquay: 1hr 55min

Bennetts Water Gardens

Grass paths meander between a series of ponds and lakes within this 8 acre site, with scenic places to sit and ‘unwind’. With one of the most outstanding displays of water lilies in Britain, surrounded by huge pond and moisture loving plants, native trees, palms, wild plants and flowers. A ‘Site of Nature Conservation Interest’, the gardens, ponds and reed beds are home to abundant wildlife.

Broomhill 

Broomhill lies in one of the most glorious valleys in North Devon surrounded by hundreds of acres of woodland and bound by its own stream. The Broomhill Sculpture Park displays one of the largest permanent collections of contemporary art and sculpture in the South West. Three hundred sculptures by over 60 sculptors are sited in 10 acres of garden that present a wonderful balance between art and nature.  Start your day at Broomhill with a mid-morning coffee or tea in the intimate restaurant or outside on the sun-warmed terrace. 

Buckland Abbey

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is 95 miles of stunning coastline in Dorset and East Devon.  Walking along the Jurassic Coast is like ‘walking through time’ – 185 million years of time in 95 miles!  More information.

Chambercombe Manor 

This eleventh century Manor house is set in three acres of beautiful gardens and surrounding woodland, and is said to be haunted. The property is steeped in history and legend, and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. You can have guided tours of Chambercombe Manor and visit Lady Jane's garden tea room for lunch, dinner, snacks or a cream tea.

Dartmouth: tbc
Fowey: tbc
Ilfracombe: 10mins
Lyme Regis: tbc
Plymouth: tbc
Torbay: tbc

Coleton Fishacre

Built in a stream-fed valley on a beautiful stretch of the NT-protected South Devon coastline year-round interest with a wide variety of rare and exotic plants, water features and a gazebo with fine views. More information.

Cotehele House

Formal gardens overlook the richly planted valley garden below, with medieval dovecote, stew pond and Victorian summer house, and 18th-century tower above. More information.

Eden Project

The Eden Project communicates its story in a ‘Living Theatre of Plants and People’ based in a large crater in which nestle two vast greenhouses (Biomes). Eden uses exhibitions, art, storytelling, workshops, and events to put messages across to both the public and formal education groups.

The Garden House

The Garden House is centred on an enchanting walled garden around the romantic ruins of a medieval vicarage. Beyond the walls lie vistas of colour from Spring to Autumn in a pioneering ’naturalistic’ style inspired by great natural landscapes of the world. ’A beauty so ancient and so fresh’

Glendurgan Garden

Glendurgan has been described as a “little bit of heaven on earth”, and this truly is what it is. A valley garden made of three valleys that come together, and run down to the tiny hamlet of Durgan. More information.

Greenway Garden

Hartland Abbey and Hartland Point

Gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll and recently discovered Victorian Fernery and 18^th Century Walled Gardens. This exclusive shore excursion could also include and Woodland walk down to the spectacular Hartland coastline accompanied by a traditional Devon Cream Tea.

Lanhydrock House

One of the most fascinating late 19th-century houses in England. Set in a glorious estate of 364ha (900 acres) of woods and parkland running down to the Fowey River. There is an extensive network of footpaths. More information.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

 “Best Period Garden” 2005 - Cruise guests are invited to experience The Nation’s Favourite Garden in all its abundance: extensive productive gardens and pleasure grounds, a lush 22-acre subtropical Jungle, sustainably-managed farmland, wetlands and ancient woodlands, and a pioneering wildlife conservation project.

Mapperton House and Gardens

Mapperton Gardens is a unique valley garden in West Dorset, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The gardens surround the Jacobean manorhouse, stable block, dovecote and All Saints' Church.

Marwood Hill Gardens 

Marwood Hill Gardens cover 20 acres with many plant collections and year round interest. Created by Dr Jimmy Smart MBE VMH when he moved there in 1949, they are delightful. In the Upper Garden Camellias and rhododendrons are planted on the walk along the north side of the walled garden, including 3 borders of herbaceous peonies.
In the Lower Garden the path to the garden with its small lakes, stocked with Koi Carp, passes plantings of bamboo. The Bog garden houses a superb National collection of Astilbes. Homemade cakes and refreshments are available in the renowned cafe.

Minterne House

Minterne has been the home of the Churchill and the Digby families for nearly 350 years. The valley was landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown in the 18th century with a series of small lakes and cascades described in 'The 1,000 Best Houses,' as "a comer of paradise." More information.

Mount Edgcumbe House & Country Park

The Mount Edgcumbe Estate, which is almost surrounded by coastline, covers more than 865 acres.  The grounds have eccentric features such as temples, forts, follies and a unique shell seat that were laid during the 18th century.

RHS Rosemoor 

Rosemoor is a beautiful 65-acre garden, meticulously crafted and planted, retaining the essence of rural North Devon within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides. Whatever the season, the exciting colours, scents and textures mean that all your senses will be stimulated. There are both formal and informal gardens - as well as woodland walks, water features and open spaces. Many events are held throughout the year, and the restaurant and garden gift shop are not to be missed.

Saltram House

The superb 18th-century gardens contain an orangery, the Chapel Art Gallery and several follies, as well as beautiful shrubberies and imposing specimen trees. More information.

St Michael’s Mount

This magical island is the jewel in Cornwall’s crown, a national treasure and a must for every visitor to the far West of England. During its long history, the Mount has been a church, priory, fortress and private home. Different parts of the castle vary in date from the twelfth to the nineteenth centuries. More information.

Trebah

Trebah is a stunning, sub-tropical Cornish ravine garden that falls 200 feet down to a private beach on the historic Helford River. The garden is the wild and magical result of 160 years of inspired and dedicated creation, with glades of ferns and palms mingling with a forest of century-old rhododendrons and camellias.

Trelissick Garden

Tresco Abbey Garden

The only garden in Britain growing exotics outdoors from every Mediterranean climate zone in the world.  Palm trees and succulents abound in this unique 25 acre collection found on a 2 mile long island fringed with white sandy beaches and a Caribbean like clear blue sea.
More information.