Gardens & Nature Events

There is no shortage of beautiful places to visit across the whole of North Devon and if nature is your thing, you’ll be spoilt with beautiful scenery and special habitats for many of the creatures native to the area.

The North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are nationally designated to protect and conserve the 171 km2 of distinctive and magnificent coastal landscapes between the Cornish border and Exmoor National Park.

The landscape varies from wild coastal cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and rocky coves to sand dunes and beaches, wooded combes and valleys with sheltering villages.

First-time visitors to Braunton Burrows are utterly amazed by the breath-taking scale of the sand dunes that gives them their name. A spectacular site, the Burrows covers over 2000 acres and is one of the most biodiverse areas of England with some 500 species of plant in the area.

Covering some 6 hectares and filled with classic woodland species, Uppacott Wood is an ancient woodland area less than three miles south of Barnstaple offering amazing views across the surrounding areas of North Devon. Swanpool Marsh is a small oasis that buzzes with activity close to the village of Braunton. The great pond-sedge and reed that covers much of the reserve is a rare habitat across the west county and Dragonflies and butterflies are extremely abundant.

Exmoor National Park is a unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, shaped by people and nature over thousands of years.  Where high cliffs plunge into the Bristol Channel, and cosy pubs and tearooms offer delicious local produce. On Exmoor it is still possible to find tranquillity and peace as well as rediscovering your sense of adventure; catch a glimpse of wild red deer, be amazed by dark skies full of stars, and explore villages full of character.

North Devon also takes great pride in the many parks and gardens including RHS Rosemoor. Nestled in the Torridge Valley, Rosemoor is an enchanting place to visit in every season; cherry trees blossom in the spring, the iconic Hot Garden dazzles with vibrant colours in summer, while the woodlands blaze with autumn finery and the Winter Garden catches the eye later in the year.

Covering some 20 acres with three beautiful lakes, Marwood Hill Gardens provides a day of both inspiration and relaxation for the whole family or stroll around Castle Hill gardens and discover delightful follies, mysterious temples and peaceful lakes. Clovelly Court Gardens are a classic example of a lovingly restored Victorian walled kitchen garden including magnificent glasshouses with their original manual levers.

With more than 20 miles of footpaths to discover, a grand Victorian garden full of exotic flowers, walled gardens stuffed with produce used in the tea room and a beautiful old house containing fascinating Victorian treasures, Arlington Court and National Trust Carriage Museum is a real North Devon gem.

From sunbathing and picnics in the summer, to brisk refreshing walks in the winter, there’s always a reason to visit one of North Devon’s parks. As well as being perfect for relaxing, our parks have plenty of things to do and activities to enjoy, not to mention some beautiful views. Rock Park in Barnstaple, Victoria Park in Bideford and Bicclescombe Park in Ilfracombe are complemented by parks and play areas in many of the towns and villages of North Devon.