Fursdon House Gardens and Tearoom, Devon

Home of the Fursdon family since 1259, historic Fursdon House is surrounded by 4 acres of hillside gardens that have been extensively restored and replanted over the last 40 years, with stunning views looking over grassy parkland to the Exe Valley, Dartmoor and beyond.

Rising behind the house is the ancient cob-walled garden, known mysteriously as the ‘Fox Garden’, where a mix of formal and naturalistic planting can be enjoyed from the Vine Pavilion and thatched Round House. A display of tulips and alliums appear here in Spring. Scented shrub roses throughout have been trained on hazel supports to encourage maximum flowering, and are surrounded by a haze of herbaceous planting in soft blues, purples, and pinks.

In early Autumn, a mass of crimson Dahlias appears in Grace’s Border (named after a Fursdon matriarch) – quite a spectacle! The Library Terrace bank planting has been developed to provide a nectar rich feast for bees and butterflies - recently added Salvias, Asters and Nepeta mingle with drifts of marjoram and other perennials in front of a wall clad with roses and clematis.

The Meadow Garden, originally planted nearly 200 years ago, in memory of Harriet Fursdon, is now a woodland walk leading to a pond and grassy areas where the family is trying to establish wild flowers from existing meadows on the estate.

At the Coach Hall tea-room, large planters in the cobbled courtyard start with tulips and wallflowers in the spring, and are replanted for the summer months with a different colour scheme each season - again focusing on nectar rich planting - inspiration whilst visitors enjoy their teas!

Fursdon House Gardens Opening Times - Check website before visiting.

The garden is open from Easter Monday until the end of September on Bank Holidays and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, 2-5pm.

During the months of June, July and August, visitors can combine their garden visit with a guided tour around the historic manor house with family costumes and artefacts from Fursdon’s long history on display in the museum.