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Gardens in Devon

Coastal and Country Gardens in Devon

Indulge in some green therapy with a visit to one of South Devon’s glorious gardens. From lush botanical gardens and landscaped National Trust grounds to ocean-view parks and historic estates, there’s never been a better time to explore some of the best gardens in Devon.

Tessier Gardens

Hidden away between Babbacombe and St Marychurch, Tessier Gardens is a tranquil oasis. Mrs Amy Tessier gifted the garden to Torquay town in 1933, on the condition that no one below the age of 18 could enter. As a tribute to her generous gift, a sun temple was erected in the gardens the same year. The peaceful gardens are filled with flowers, plants and beautiful structures.

An award-winning attraction, no children, dogs or ball games are allowed.

Royal Terrace Gardens

The Royal Terrace Gardens, also known as Rock Walk, are located beneath the cliff of Waldon Hall, overlooking the ocean.

Climb the magnificent illuminated staircase that leads to a viewing platform offering spectacular sea views towards Torbay and explore the new walkways across the cliff face gardens. The Royal Terrace Gardens are a key site on the English Riviera Global Geopark.

Princess Gardens Paignton Zoo Botanical Gardens

Paignton Zoo is also a botanical garden, housing thousands of different plants within the vast 80-acre grounds. The gardens include mature shrubberies and new areas developed over the past 10 years. The new plantings have been designed to re-create the major habitat types from around the world and include exotics like palms, bananas, Titan arums and giant water lilies.

Some of the rarest plants in the world are grown in the zoo’s gardens.

Torre Abbey Garden

With a wealth of exotic and exciting plants, Torre Abbey Garden is nestled behind the historic Abbey. In summer, showy dahlia borders take centre stage along with the many herbaceous perennials, roses and herbs that make English gardens so delightful.

Explore the Palm House, filled with tropical plants and palms from around the world, and discover the fascinating cactus collection. The Palm House includes some rare and endangered palms from Kew’s collection and fragrant plumerias and gingers.

Agatha Christie’s Potent Plants Garden

The Queen of Crime was born in Torquay and her keen interest in plants and their medicinal powers is celebrated in this garden feature at Torre Abbey.

One of the most unusual and fascinating gardens to visit in Devon, the Agatha Christie Potent Plants display includes beautiful but sinister plants, including the sources for cyanide and morphine. Fans of the writer can also decipher the clues in the four outside beds and solve the mystery of the missing story titles.

Coleton Fishacre Greenway

Another of the famous National Trust Gardens in Devon, Greenway is best known as the family holiday home of Agatha Christie.

Explore the house and discover many of the family's collections, including archaeology, Tunbridge ware, silver, china and books. The large and romantic woodland garden includes a camelia garden, fernery, walled garden and deckchairs and benches to sit and soak up the glorious River Dart views.

The garden is open between March and October.