It’s nearly that wonderful season again! Snowdrops are already cautiously poking their heads up, and even daffodils are beginning to ease open. Springtime is a truly special time of year for the South-West. We’ve collected a few fantastic spring garden experiences to celebrate the beautiful flora of Cornwall and Devon. If we’ve missed one, let us know on social media or in the comments below.
6 – Docton Mill, Hartland, Devon
A quiet spot often overlooked by visitors, this charming little garden is formed around a working water mill. Pay them a visit to see their stunning array of daffodils, bluebells, magnolias and a superb bog garden with masses of candelabra primulas in late spring. With a great café and just 1km from the stunning Devon coast, Docton Mill is well worth a look.
5 – Hartland Abbey & Gardens, Hartland, Devon
The walled and woodland gardens of Hartland Abbey are a real treat on a bright spring day. The Abbey offers up wonderful seasonal events too. They will be holding their annual Daffodil Day where you can explore the myriad of flowers planted up to 150 years ago. Later that month, Mothering Sunday will be worth a look. Walk around the gardens and grounds with the magnolias, tree rhododendrons, stunning camellias, daffodils, and spring bulbs bursting into flower
4 – Pencarrow House & Gardens, Bodmin, CornwallPencarrow’s display of bluebells and wild garlic in late spring (May/June) is one of the South-West’s best, but it’s also worth a visit earlier in March when their beautiful display of camellias and rhododendrons can be seen and if you’re early enough, the lush carpet of snowdrops. With a variety of walks from woodland to formal gardening, incorporating great features like a genuine Iron age hill fort and an ice-house, there is a wide range of garden experiences – and of course, there’s always the Georgian mansion itself to explore.
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3 – RHS Rosemoor Spring Flower Competitions
It’s hard to find a time of year when the highly ornamental gardens at Rosemoor don’t look stunning. With separate areas such as the woodland garden and fruit and vegetable patches, there is plenty of variety to keep visitors interested. However, if you’re around this spring you may want to time your visit to hit the annual Spring Flower competitions. This year they’ll be focusing on camellias, hyacinths and daffodils.
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2 – Cotehele, Saltash, Cornwall
This atmosphere medieval house is a top visitor attraction in its own right with its labyrinthine rooms, armory and intricate tapestries, but the gardens alone are worth the visit. With 12 different areas to explore including a wild valley garden, orchards and ponds, it’s an easy way to spend an afternoon – and of course, the dazzling daffodils in the acre of meadow let you know spring is here!
1 – Boconnoc Spring Flower Show,
Lostwithiel, Cornwall
Yes, it’s a bit of a drive from the North of the county, but as one of the major highlights of the South-West’s garden calendar, Cornwall’s Spring Flower Show is a big draw to the region and has to take our top spot. Taking place in the grounds of Boconnoc House, the event aims to showcase the very best of Cornish gardens and produce. There are hundreds of trade stands, stalls, gardening experts on hand, and show gardens to explore – it’s even dog-friendly!
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Our cottages are set in the extensive grounds of a Victorian rectory. Maintained lawns, flower beds and mature trees create the perfect atmosphere of rural tranquillity, within reach of the Cornish coast and Dartmoor. With fresh flowers in all our cottages and famous gardens to explore nearby, we’re a great base for garden lovers.