A hidden paradise in North Devon.
I’m in two minds about writing this blog, purely for selfish reasons, you understand! However, in these difficult times, we need to be kind and try to help others. So, I am going to share with you, my visit to these beautiful, little known North Devon gardens.
Marwood Hill Gardens, North Devon lies 4 miles north of Barnstable and 9 miles from Ilfracombe. Originally the neglected garden attached to a Georgian House now know as Marwood House. In 1949 Dr Jimmy Smart MBE VHM a doctor and anaesthesia, combined with his working life, set about the daunting task of transforming the chaos, into a haven of peace and beauty. In the early sixties, after the purchase of rough pasture land , including a stream running through the valley – which was dammed, creating two small lakes – trees and small specimens were planted and a sculpture by the Australian Artist John Robinson erected on an island in one of the lakes. In the same decade the first greenhouse was built inside a dilapidated walled garden, which holds a large collection of Camellias, for which Marwood Hill Gardens holds the largest collection of over 300 varieties.
Northdevondoes.com 