Gardens > England > Devon > Garden House

Garden House

A sixteenth century vicarage on the edge of Dartmoor with a garden made by an enthusiastic plant collector, Lionel Fortescue. It has terraces and a large, beautiful and recently refurbished walled garden. There is a wild flower meadow, quarry garden, cottage garden, South African garden, acer glade and oval garden with an undulating wall. The prairie-style wildflower meadows are a particular success. The planting is naturalistic and, with its use of compartments, in the Sissinghurt Arts and Crafts tradition.

Head Gardener's Comment

A warm welcome awaits you at The Garden House, a garden steeped in history set in a tranquil Devon valley. The 8-acre garden is several gardens in one, with a beautiful walled garden surrounding the ruins of Buckland's medieval vicarage at its heart. Discover the bulb meadow, cottage garden, South African garden, quarry garden and acer glade, inter-linked by countless pathways. The long season of colour and an abundance of plants makes this garden a delight for all.

Photograph © Alan Bartlett

Photograph © Alan Bartlett

Photograph © Alan Bartlett

Photograph © Fortescue Garden Trust

Photograph © Fortescue Garden Trust

Garden House

Photograph © Anthurium/Katrina Underwood

Photograph © Anthurium/Katrina Underwood

Photograph © Anthurium/Katrina Underwood

History

The garden was purchased by Lionel and Katharine Fortescue 60 years ago who set up The Fortescue Garden Trust.
The present head gardener is Matt Bishop

Plants of note

In Spring, the garden is alive with magnificent magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and masses of bulbs and small woodland plants. Summer brings wisteria draped archways and bridges, a wealth of herbaceous plants, followed by the vibrant colours of the South African and Walled Gardens. The Acer Glade, hydrangeas and autumn bulbs are glorious later in the season.