The Garden House

Created since 1945 by Lionel Fortesque (and now owned by a trust of that name) within the walls of part of a medieval monastery and now spread to some 7 acres.  Built around a stone tower and walls which recall Sissinghurst  and Scotney.  (3ha) of mixed planting with lawns and trees. From the tower there is a bird’s eye view of the enclosed garden.  Fortesque was a collector and developed the garden on a steep slope on the edge of Dartmoor, planted on five levels in compartmental  style, with herbaceous borders, trees, unusual shrubs and stone paths. Views to Cornwall.

Barn, stair tower, garden wall with arch, all listed Grade II

S Pugsley: Devon Gardens – An Historical Survey, 1994: 18,178 OS Guide to Gardens: 96 A. Lees-Milne & R. Verey - Englishman’s Garden 1982: 64-67

© Photographs copyright Andrew Abbott and licensed for Reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.