The garden at Arlington Court

A family exploring the walled garden at Arlington Court — Arlington Court walled garden

Swathes of bluebells in the woodland at Arlington Court

From the ever-changing display of flowers in the formal Victorian Garden to the picture perfect pleasure grounds, Arlington looks beautiful whatever the season.

Woman removing child's wellies from the back of a car

Do I need to pre-book?

The ground floor of the Carriage Museum and house, garden, wider estate, tea-room, second-hand bookshop and toilets are now open. On weekdays you don't need to pre-book your visit. At busier times, like weekends and school holidays, booking is recommended to guarantee entry. From Monday 28 June you will no longer need to pre-book your entry ticket to Arlington. In line with government guidance, you're required to wear a face covering in most enclosed spaces, unless exempt. Please bring one with you.

Victorian Garden

Looking over the goldfish pond towards the conservatory — Looking over the pond to the conservatory in the Victorian Garden

The formal Victorian Garden you see today was developed in the early 19th century and includes herbaceous borders, basket beds filled with colourful annuals, an attractive fountain surrounded by arched trellises, beds of seasonal planting and banks of colourful azaleas.

On the top terrace is a conservatory used to grow a variety of plants from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, countries Miss Chichester visited on her world tour in the 1920s.

Dahlia 'Glow' in the Walled Garden at Arlington Court — Dahlia 'Glow' in the Walled Garden

Walled Kitchen Garden

Since the early 90's we have slowly restored the kitchen garden: the walls have been recapped, paths reinstated, the central dipping pond cleared and a lean-to greenhouse rebuilt.

Fruit trees have been trained along the walls and a soft-fruit cage erected. Flowers are grown especially for dispaly in the house. Produce from the garden is made into jams and chutneys sold in the shop when it's open.

Reflections in the wilderness pond — Reflections in the wildnerness pond

The pleasure grounds and park

The grounds surrounding the house at Arlington are set in the picturesque style. Parkland was introduced and planting within the Pleasure Grounds was used to frame a series of designed views. The Wilderness Pond provides shimmering light, whilst Deerpark Wood presents contrasting shade.

The pond in the pleasure grounds at Arlington Court — Take time to sit and reflect at the pond in the pleasure grounds

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum Devon

History of the pleasure grounds at Arlington Court

Find out about the evolution of the pleasure grounds at Arlington Court from the late eighteenth century to the present day, including Trust ownership and management.

Find out more

Dogs at Arlington

The Chichesters, who owned Arlington Court for eleven generations, were a family of dog lovers, proven by a memorial at the back of the house. Today dogs on leads are still welcome in the grounds, formal gardens and carriage museum when open.