COLETON FISHACRE

Coleton Fishacre in Devon is a country retreat dating from the

1920s Jazz Age. It was the home to the D’Oyly Carte family – owners of the light opera company. The house is set above the cliffs on the headland at the mouth of the River Dart, and its garden has stunning glimpses out to sea. It also has enticing glades and tranquil ponds, and fascinating tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand, thriving in the moist and sheltered valley.

There’s interest all year round as spring starts early here and the garden is soon filled with bluebells and spring-flowering bulbs. In summer, there are abundant soft pastel shades, and oranges and reds in the hot borders, and in autumn and winter, the woodland and the coastal views come into their own.

Start your exploration at the top of the gardens with the Seemly Terrace; take time to soak up the gorgeous views.

Further down is the Rill Garden – named after the stream, or rill, that runs through its centre. Borders here are planted with hardy herbaceous and semi-tender perennials in soft pastel shades to create a relaxed and dreamy effect.

The terraces and walls around the house reflect the lines of the building. Each terrace has a pool; the upper pool’s rounded outline is paired with a sculpture of an otter by local artist Bridget McCrum.

The lawn next to the house is called Bowling Green Lawn and is bordered by Wellington’s Wall, a south-facing raised bed filled with sun-loving plants, such as cistus, romneya, rosemary and guara.

Address Brownstone Road, Kingswear, Devon TQ6 0EQ. Opening times Coleton Fishacre is open every day from 10.30am-5pm. Prices Adult, £10; child, £5.

For more info and to book*, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre