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60 Gardens to visit this spring Part 1.


2016 is the 300th anniversary of the birth of Capability Brown, arguably England’s most famous and influential landscape architect and is duly being promoted as the ‘Year of the English Garden’. Although global warming has delivered some unseasonal sightings this winter, springtime is still the best time to explore our local gardens. Here are some of our favourites:


Antony Gardens Antony Gardens, Plymouth, PL2 3SB the landscape at Anthony, with its sweeping river views and unexpected nooks and crannies, was inspired by Humphry Repton, often regarded as the successor to Capability Brown. In the springtime camellias and magnolias in the Woodland Garden are bursting into life. the intricate Knot Garden is also a delight, as is the modern sculpture scattered round the garden: from the Hypercone by simon thomas and the Magnolia Gate by James Horrobin, to the Water Cone by William Pye and the Dono by steven Cox. A tearoom is on site and good parking facilities. Assistance dogs only. For more information see www. nationaltrust.org.uk/antony


Homeyards Botanical Gardens Torquay Road, Shaldon, TQ14 0BD Homeyards is on a sloping hillside above shaldon with fantastic views of teignmouth and the coastline beyond. the gardens, created in the late 1920s and early 1930s, feature a castle ruin; pond and rill garden; and Italian Garden. A level walk along the informal terraced arboretum provides the amazing views. there is roadside parking and pedestrian entrances on all sides of the gardens. It is a steeply sloping site with four of the five pedestrian entrances incorporating steep steps. the pergola entrance at the eastern end of the gardens is the most accessible. there are two long, surfaced paths running the length of the gardens. the gardens are open all year round. there’s a lot of refurbishment happening at Homeyards and an active Friends Group involved in maintenance and planting. to get involved and for more information on the gardens, visit www.shaldonbotanicals.wordpress.com


Dartington Hall Gardens, Totnes Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6ED the spectacular Grade 2 listed gardens of the 1,200- acre Dartington Hall estate are open all year round and budding with spring life right now. Mats of crocuses are carpeting the lawns outside the White Hart restaurant, and the borders and terraces are bursting into shape. there’s a real sense of history around these gardens,


from a 1,500 year-old yew tree to the famous reclining Henry Moore sculpture, commissioned by Dorothy and Leonard elmhirst in tribute to Dartington’s first arts administrator. Moore’s serene figure quietly spends her days against a row of ancient chestnut trees. the sunny Border runs the length of the terraces and


has evolved from the 1920s to the present day. there are benches to sit and ponder in the garden, or return to the courtyard for tea or wine at the White Hart or Roundhouse Café. Accessibility is good along the pathways and there’s a car park on site. Dogs are restricted at Dartington Hall. Visit www.dartington.org/visit/explore/about-the-gar- dens for more information.


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