Castle Hill Gardens

From March through to October visitors can appreciate the changing landscape and marvel at the wondrous colours.

This is the perfect setting for groups of horticulturalists and all garden lovers to come and explore. The privately owned 50 acre gar-dens surround the magnificent Palladian house, home of the Fortescue family since 1454. It is set in an 18th century landscape punctuated with statues, follies and temples built by each genera-tion of the Fortescue's.

To the East side of the house is the Millennium Garden designed by Xa Tollemache, renowned garden designer. The large herbaceous borders are edged with boxed lavender and an illuminated 'topiary' water sculpture, designed and built by Giles Rayner. From here the path leads to the formal terraced lawns in front of the house.

The eye is then drawn past the enormous 1790 Cedar of Lebanon towards a tree-lined avenue and the Triumphal Arch, built as an eye-catcher, and the Holwell Temple, our rustic party and wedding venue. The restored Kennel completes the Westerly landscape. Meander by the river to the Ugley Bridge amongst colourful shrubs and mature planting.

In the walled garden visitors can take a gentle wander and admire the veggies and flowers including the sweet pea covered walls.

A walk via the path to the West of the house leads to the Woodland Gardens where the sights and scents of camellias, mag-nolias, rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas and eucryphias abound. The final climb to the Castle behind the house is worth it for the panoramic views to Exmoor, Dartmoor and beyond.

An excellent tearoom serves homemade refreshments which can be enjoyed either sitting outside or indoors depending on the weather.

Restricted access for visitors in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility due to layout of the gardens.