One of the great things about visiting Devon at this time of year is the chance to see the seasons changing around you as the spring flowers start to bloom. Because of Devon’s diverse landscape, there are plenty of chances to catch the spring colours popping up all over the county, here are a couple of our favourite spots for enjoying the first buds of spring.
Marwood Hill Gardens
Located just outside of Barnstaple, this 20 acre garden is a lovely place to visit all year around with its three lakes and landscaping, plus it is dog friendly, so makes a nice change to your usual dog walking routes. In the spring, you can see the various magnolia hybrids which start flowering in early spring, there are also narcissi, wisteria and camellia to spot as you walk around.
Heathercombe, Manaton
Set within the Dartmoor National Park, Heathcombe includes 30 acres of gardens, including a woodland, a bog garden, a fern garden and a wild flower meadow. As it is part of the National Garden Scheme, it isn’t open all year around and dates are usually released between April and October, where you can catch some of the later spring flowers including daffodils, bluebells and rhododendrons.
Killerton, Broadclyst
Managed by the National Trust, the Killerton estate has several interesting bits of landscaping to enjoy. Ashclyst Forest is one of the largest woods in this part of Devon and the gardens and Front Park have a host of lovely spring flowers including bluebells.
Borough Woods, Ilfracombe
If you love purples and blues, you need to head to this ancient woodland on the outskirts of Ilfracombe. During the spring, you’ll find bluebells and purple orchids – making it a truly beautiful place to spend a few hours relaxing and taking in the tranquil atmosphere. The woodland is also home to several rare species, so those that love being in their gardens will love a trip here.
Croyde and Saunton Down
Also in North Devon are Croyde and Saunton. Aside from the beautiful coastline, there are a number of walks through stunning landscapes through North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve full of orchids and more than 100 species of flowering plants.
Dunsford Reserve
For the best daffodil displays, head to Dunsford Reserve in Dartmoor. Located on the edge of the River Teign, this reserve is managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust and is home to several rare butterflies.