Must-visit gardens of the South West

From fern-covered stone walls and idyllic wisteria-draped doorways, to vibrant

A term generally applied to non-woody, flowering plants that are natural to a particular area and grow there without human assistance. More accurately, British wildflowers normally applies to UK natives including plants introduced into the wild before 1500.

Castle Hill Gardens, Devon

Castle Hill Gardens is magical during the winter months when covered in frost or snow

With 50-acres of stunning gardens, majestic views over Exmoor and Dartmoor, and home to Devon’s longest camellia hedge, there is always an abundance of horticultural delights on display at Castle Hill. Set againt the backdrop of the beautiful 18th century Palladian house are the Millennium Garden, Magnolia Wood and Woodland Garden, as well as many historic statues, follies and temples.

Children can even climb on one of the oldest trees in the garden, the Tanglewood Tree! Dogs on leads are also welcome.

• Member Access: When open (open all year Monday – Friday)
• Plan your visit to Castle Hill Gardens

Dartington Hall Gardens, Devon

Dartington Hall gardens feature luscious greenery throughout

Shaped and inspired by a succession of remarkable custodians over 1,000 years, the Dartington Estate is home to 26-acres of impressive Grade II listed gardens. Originally of Victorian design, the gardens have been adapted to create a sense of natural wilderness through the inclusion of mossy pathways, fern-covered stone walls and vast banks of spring flowers.

The gardens feature a host of exceptional champion trees, including some of the oldest specimens in the region, such as a 1500 year old yew tree and a line of sweet chestnuts believed to be over 400 years old.

• Member Access: When open
• Plan your visit to Dartington Hall Gardens

Mothecombe House & Gardens, Devon

A Garden Cottage and a second walled garden are filled with rows of lavender plants

As the South West Regional Winner for RHS Partner Garden of the Year 2025, the gardens at Mothecombe House are definitely worth a visit. Tucked under one side of a valley which runs down to the beach, the gardens are protected from the south westerly salt laden winds, allowing many plants to flourish here. There is a walled garden planted with wisteria, irises and agapanthus and the orchard is underplanted with sunny daffodils.

Elsewhere you will find the woodland full of bluebells in Spring, with rhododendrons and acers putting on a display as the months progress. The garden is very bee-friendly, attracted by over 250 lavender plants, which the insects are buzzing about in the summer months. Willows, cornus, hellebores and glossy evergreen Pieris all provide interest throughout the winter.

• Member Access: When open (open 10 February – 25 August)
• Plan your visit to Mothecombe House and Gardens

Knoll Gardens and Nursery, Dorset

Knoll Gardens feature deep autumn tones which create an earthy atmosphere

This renowned nursery and display garden has won ten consecutive gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and is a leading specialist in ornamental grasses, which played a pivotal role in all of its award-winning exhibits. The planting design here is a wonderful example of how a garden can resemble a natural space and is a haven for an abundance of wildlife.

There is a Dry Meadow, Rain Garden and Dragon Garden. The latter has been replanted in a ‘prairie style’ and features a blend of environmentally friendly, low maintenance

Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs.

• Member Access: When open (reopening on 4 February 2026)
• Plan your visit to Knoll Gardens and Nursery

Bowood Woodland Garden, Wiltshire

Wisteria gracefully bordering a doorway to the gardens

The Woodland Garden sits as its own attraction on the Bowood Estate, only open for six weeks of the year from mid April to early June during the flowering season. Covering over 30 acres and jam packed with colour, the garden is an oasis of bluebells, azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons. In recent times, these gardens became the site of a remarkable horticultural unearthing, where over 30 original hardy hybrids dating back to 1854, and initially thought to be extinct, were rediscovered.

Visitors can enjoy over two miles of meandering woodland pathways, each named after family members and friends of the gardens.

• Member Access: When open (six weeks of the year from mid April to early June)
• Plan your visit to Bowood Woodland Garden

Canonteign Falls, Devon

A quiet lake scattered with lily pads, surrounded by dense greenery

Canonteign Falls sits in the heart of Devon and boasts plenty of peaceful walks and natural splendour. Alongside the waterfalls and lakes, there is the Victorian Fern Garden tucked away in a hanging valley high above the Estate, where you can start your climb up the original ancient steps to the magnificent view of the falls and Devonshire countryside that lay beyond. Ninety acres of parkland and wild meadows provide the perfect backdrop for a long meandering walk.

There is also a bee garden, extensive adventure playground, fairy trail and even a Roald Dahl inspired living ‘green ship’ for younger explorers to discover.

• Member Access: When open (reopening on 11 March 2026)
• Plan your visit to Canonteign Falls

Hotel Endsleigh, Devon

The gardens surrounding the house form a charmingly picturesque setting

Hotel Endsleigh sits on the border between Devon and Cornwall and has been coined as one of Britain's finest hotel gardens. Designed 200 years ago and created by Humphry Repton, it is comprised of 100 stunning acres of fairy tale gardens, woodlands containing national champion trees, follies and grottos. There is much to explore during your visit.

With formal gardens that stretch to the edge of the River Tamar, the rose walk, gargantuan Gunnera leaves and relaxing spots to picnic, the enchantment of the gardens at Hotel Endsleigh can be found at every turn.

• Member Access: When open
• Plan your visit to Hotel Endsleigh

Wilton House, Wiltshire

The tranquil Japanese garden encourages moments of stillness and reflection by the water's edge

The gardens of Wilton House have developed over generations, reflecting the changing tastes of the Earls and Countesses of Pembroke. Set between the rivers Wylye and Nadder, the estate blends open parkland with smaller formal gardens and architectural features dating from the early Renaissance to the mid-18th century. The modern Millennium Water Feature contrasts attractively with the nearby 18th century Palladian Bridge.

Key highlights include a Corinthian triumphal arch, circular fountain pool, rose garden, water garden, and laburnum arch. Visitors can also see an Egyptian granite column topped with a version of Gianbologna's Venus, a Victorian boathouse, the Woodland Garden arboretum, and the Miz Maze built of Indian granite.

• Member Access: When open (reopening Easter 2026)
• Plan your visit to Wilton House

Yeo Valley, Somerset

The colourful gravel gardens attract a range of wildlife and pollinators, promting biodiversity

Transformed over the last 30 years, the Yeo Valley ornamental garden is a showcase of bold planting and unique and playful arrangements. The Avenue, planted with tea crabapples back in 1995, bursts into breath taking bloom in May and the meadow has been putting on its wild floral display for over 10 years.

The Gravel Garden is an amalgamation of striking colour and a true haven for bees and other polinators. And on what was once a tennis court, the Veggie Garden is where the edibles are grown and then harvested for use in delicious dishes at the Garden Cafe.

• Member Access: When open (April – October)
• Plan your visit to Yeo Valley