Coleton Fishacre garden

Bluebells flowering in the garden at Coleton Fishacre — The garden at Coleton Fishacre is a great place to see bluebells

The house at Coleton Fishacre reflected in the still pond at Coleton Fishacre — On still days you can see the house reflected in the ponds at Coleton Fishacre

The hot garden pictured in the mist at Coleton Fishacre — The hot border in front of the house is filled with red, orange and yellow flowers

The stream in the Garden at Coleton Fishacre, Devon — The garden at Coleton Fishacre is beautifully situated along a stretch of our coastline

With a climate as mild as South Cornwall created by the great trees sheltering this garden in a coastal valley, exotic and tender plants thrive in Coleton Fishacre garden. From formal terraces to woodland to explore, this garden is varied and filled with year-round interest, and one of the few National Trust gardens to be RHS accredited. Please be aware that the gate from the South West Coast Path, at the bottom of the garden, is closed until further notice.

Formal terraces

Seemly Terrace

At the top of the gardens this colourful terrace is a perfect starting point for your exploration. Relax in a bench and soak up the views over the Rill and terraces around the house, and in the spring it's transformed with white cherry blossom.

Rill Garden

The stream, or rill, which runs through the centre, gives this garden its name. The borders are planted with a mixture of hardy herbaceous and semi-tender perennials in soft pastel shades to create a relaxed and dreamy effect. Pastels were the favourite colours of Lady Dorothy, and her room overlooked this garden.

Blossom watch

As we spot the delicate blossom arrive this spring, we're reminded of the comfort we take in nature. Spending time outdoors and noticing little moments of nature can help your wellbeing, something we've all needed in this changing world.

The Terraces

The terraces and walls around the house reflect the lines of the building, and are planted with tender, sun-loving plants. Each terrace has a pool; the upper pool's rounded outline sets off a sculptured otter by local artist Bridget McCrum.

In front of the house the Hot Border is filled with flowers in fiery shades of reds and oranges, creating a ‘firework’ effect of upward pointing flowers in hot colours. These were Rupert D'Oyly Carte's favourite colours, and he could see the border from his desk in the library.

The quarry

The looming quarry wall that sits below the gazebo is where the stone for the house came from; it was transported up the valley on a railway track, which you can now see in the kitchen supporting the shelves.

Coastal woodland garden

View from the summerhouse in the garden of Coleton Fishacre, Devon

Sea views

There are a few different spots around the garden from where you can soak up the sea views. Scout Point, the gazebo and the summerhouse all offer wide sweeping vistas.

Fern Glade at the bottom of Coleton Fishacre garden

Informal garden

The further down the valley you walk, the more informal this garden becomes. At the bottom is the tree fern glade, where hydrangeas flower in the summer and the rill trickles out to the coast. There's also a gate leading to the South West Coast Path. Please note it is currently closed.

Sea views from Coleton Fishacre garden in winter

125th anniversary trail

2020 was the 125th anniversary of the National Trust so to celebrate we created a 1.25km walk around Coleton Fishacre garden. This accessible walk takes in woodlands and stretching sea views.