Tapeley Park and Gardens
- Beautiful 20 acre gardens
- Labyrinth
- Tea rooms
- Shop & children´s Play Area
Overlooking the river Torridge and Bideford the extensive gardens at Tapeley Park were created in the 19th century by Sir John Belcher under the direction of Lady Rosamund Christie. The 20 acre garden descends in a series of ornamental terraces from a handsome, much-altered Queen Ann house (open to pre-booked groups only).
The terraced Italian gardens at Tapeley Park were restored with Mary Keen and Carol Klein´s help. They now brim with new scents and colours complimenting the existing rare and tender plants. As well as the terraces there is a Kitchen Garden which has a huge lean-to greenhouse and old espaliered apple trees. Tapeley Park now has an Organic Permaculture Garden and tucked away in the Wild Garden is a new children´s play area.
You will also find a field full of fierce looking Highland cattle. Rare breed Berkshire pigs, peacocks, birds of prey, for example a Snowy owl, falcons and buzzards (displays each Sunday at 11.30am and 3pm), can be found dotted around. The lake at the bottom of a ravine through the woods surrounded by massive Thuja Plicata trees is for many the most magical part of the garden.
The newest addition is a labyrinth built from granite from an obelisk on a monument obliterated by a thunderbolt in 1931. There are spectacular views over the estuary and Island of Lundy from there.
Details of opening times, prices and events can be found on their web site.
Tapeley Park and Gardens
Instow
Nr Bideford
Devon
EX39 4NT`
Tel: 01271 860897