Houses and Gardens
South Devon has a wealth of beautiful gardens and historic properties, and TLH Leisure Resort makes an ideal base from which to explore.
Torquay Museum
Ranked among the finest in South West England, Torquay Museum is a journey of discovery for all ages. Experience the sights and sounds of country living as you walk through a reconstructed Devon farmhouse, wonder at the prehistoric artefacts excavated from nearby Kents Cavern or become an explorer on the interactive trail. In the Agatha Christie gallery you can detect the real life story behind the world famous crime writer, who was born in Torquay.
Watch out for … the new interactive Explorers Gallery opening in 2007
The Eden Project
The internationally acclaimed Eden project, in St Austell, makes an inspiring day out. This ‘Living Theatre of Plants and People’ is based in a large crater in which nestle two vast greenhouses (Biomes). These house plants, crops and landscapes from the humid tropics and warm temperate regions and act as a backdrop to the temperate landscape, called the Outdoor Biome. Eden uses exhibitions, art, storytelling, workshops, lectures and events to put messages about conservation and the environment across to both the public and formal education groups.
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens
Located near Budleigh Salterton, Bicton is about a 40 minute drive from Torquay. Here you can enjoy over 60 acres of beautiful gardens, including the Palm House, Italian Garden and Geranium House.
Discover the lost treasures of the countryside, or take a relaxing train ride around the gardens. Lots of fun for the children, too, with a nature trail, crazy golf and indoor play complex.
Open all year, except Christmas Day.
Admission: Adults £5.95; Children £4.95; Senior Citizens £4.95; Families £19.95 (2 adults and up to 2 children)
Telephone - 01395 568465.
Royal Horticultural Society Garden Rosemoor
Near Great Torrington in North Devon, Rosemoor is about an hour away from TLH Leisure Resort. This 40 acre garden has something for all interests, including a complex of 2000 roses, bog gardens, extensive herbaceous borders, foliage and plantsman's gardens and more, all in the breathtaking setting of the Torridge Valley.
Open all year round, except Christmas Day - 2nd January. Admission: Adults £5.50; Children (6-16) £1.50; Children under 6 - free
Telephone - 01805 624067.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
For a full day out, why not visit Heligan near St Austell in Cornwall. It will take about 1 1/2 hours to drive there, but it is well worth the effort. After many years of painstaking restoration, Heligan is now recognised as the country's only 19th Century 'living' museum of horticulture. There are over 80 acres of beautiful gardens and pleasure grounds, including:-
- 5 walled gardens with pineapple pits
- 2 acre kitchen garden
- Grotto
- Sundial Garden
- Ravine Fernery
- Bee Boles
- 22 acre sub-tropical "Jungle" garden
- 30 acre "Lost Valley".
Open all year round except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission: Adults £8.50; Senior Citizens £7.50; Children (5-15) £5.00; Children under 5 - free. Family ticket £25.
Telephone - 01726 845100.
Powderham Castle
The mediaeval castle and gardens of Powderham lie beside the picturesque estuary of the River Exe, near Kenton. Only about 30 minutes drive from Torquay, Powderham has plenty to see and do for all the family. Children will love the Secret Garden with the magical world of birds and animals.
The Castle itself is filled with lavish furnishings, tapestries and historic portraits of the Courtenay family, who have lived at Powderham for over 600 years.
Open from April until October, except Saturdays. Adults £7.95; Senior Citizens £7.50; Children £5.95; Families £22.45.
Telephone - 01626 890243.
Killerton - National Trust
Situated just outside of Exeter, this elegant 18th Century house has wonderful views over the surrounding Devon countryside. The house includes an interesting exhibition on the history of underwear 'Inside Out'. Beautiful hillside gardens are filled with rhododendrons, magnolias and rare trees.
The gardens and park are open all year.
The house is open March to October daily, except Tuesday. Also closed on Mondays during March and October. Admission to house & grounds: Adults £7.00; Children £3.50. Family ticket £17.50;
Telephone - 01392 881345.
Agatha Christie's Greenway Gardens - National Trust
On the banks of the River Dart at Galmpton, the famous author's home and gardens have recently been acquired by the National Trust. Open Wed / Thu / Fri / Sat from 1 Mar - 7 Oct. Adults £5.00; Children £2.50. Please contact the National Trust for more information.
Telephone - 01392 883110.
Coleton Fishacre - National Trust
The house, reflecting the Arts and Crafts movement, was designed in the 1920's for Rupert and Lady Dorothy D'Oyly Carte, who created the luxuriant gardens around it.
The garden has year-round interest, from early spring flowers to glorious autumn colour.
Only 3 miles from Kingswear, about 30 minutes drive from TLH Leisure Resort, why not combine your visit with a drive round the scenic South Hams.
House and garden open from April to October, except Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission to house & garden: Adults £6.00; Children £3.00; Garden only £5.40; Children £2.70
Telephone - 01803 752466.
Castle Drogo - National Trust
Standing at more than 900 feet, this granite castle is one of the most remarkable works of Sir Edwin Lutyens. Surrounded by a terraced formal garden and woodland spring garden, overlooking the wooded gorge of the River Teign, Castle Drogo has stunning views of Dartmoor. About a 25 minute drive from Torquay.
House open from April to October. Garden and grounds open all year.
Telephone - 01647 433306.
Compton Castle - National Trust
Situated just 15 minutes away in the village of Compton, this magical fortified house was built at 3 periods between 1340 and 1520 by the Gilbert family. A fascinating house and pretty gardens still lived in by the Gilberts and only a stone's throw away from TLH Leisure Resort.
Open April till October, Mon, Wed and Thurs.
Telephone - 01803 872112.