Nestled in a colourful North Devon valley, Rosemoor is one of jewels in the Royal Horticultural Society's crown of managed gardens in the UK.
Gifted to the RHS in 1988 by the Palmer family, it has since been transformed from a rather overgrown Victorian garden and extended into an ambitious and impressive, 65 acre ornamental gardens and arboretum today.
Its a garden of two halves with the bulk of the main attractions in the newly developed segment. Here you'll find extensive formal gardens, all perfectly laid out with beautifully trimmed yew and box hedge dividers. There are some wonderfull mixed borders which are always best in late spring and summer for the annuals and perennials, while the bountiful displays of Heathers provide delight in the colder months.
The designers made good use of the natural stream that flows in the lower part with plenty of bog and water garden areas and charming bridges from where you can survey the skilled plantsmen and women's work as well as the wildlife that are attracted to this area.
The rose garden is a major attraction in summer with fabulous displays of over 2,000 new and old garden roses, overflowing with colour into pathways and floating overhead on a variety of pretty pergolas and archways. For the rose-lover, this garden is a 'must-visit'.
Located in Cider Country you'd expect to see plenty of apples and the orchards don't disappoint, often laden beyond belief with a wide variety of 'pommes'.
A favourite of this reviewer are the fruit, herb and vegetable gardens which, as per all RHS gardens, are a lesson in how to do it properly and a reminder that the way our grandfather's gardened is still the best.
The Arboretum provides excellent woodland walks, leading down to the lake at the lower end of the property.
On the upper side, having walked through the underpass, are the charming, informal gardens of the previous owner, containing many plants collected over the years by the benefactor and since added to significantly by the RHS.
This is a charming and substantial West Country garden and in the hands of the RHS staff it simply overflows with an inspiring selection of plants - both local and exotic to intrigue all visitors regardless of their botanical nous.
As you'd expect there are first class facilities here with good pathways, plenty for kids to do, places to sit and relax, eat and drink as well as learn from the professional horticulturalists and plantsmen and women.
Perhaps the best of all west country gardens, RHS Rosemoor is well worth going out of your way to visit.
Author: Bob Saunders.
Restaurant The large self service restaurant in the Visitor's Centre is open all year.
The Wisteria Tea Room in Rosemoor House is open for ice creams and teas from Spring to Autumn.
Shop A shop and plant centre are housed in the Visitors Centre.
Disabled Access There are wheelchairs and electric scooters available free of charge. Prebooking is essential for the scooters and recommended for the chairs, call 01805 626810. There are designated parking by the garden entrance.
Toilets can be found in the visitors centre and in Rosemoor House.
The majority of paths are suitable for wheelchairs, paths with steps are clearly signposted not suitable for wheelchairs.
by car Exit the M5 Southbound Exit at Junction 27, and join the A361 link road signposted Barnstaple/Bideford. At Barnstaple join A39 signposted Bideford (Atlantic Highway), keep heading towards Bideford on the A39 until you reach a roundabout signposted to Great Torrington (B3232).
Take this road and follow it into Great Torrington.
RHS Garden Rosemoor is signposted at Great Torrington and is situated 1 mile south on the A3124 road which heads towards Exeter.
Car parking is free.