Visit: Bicton College, East Budleigh Road

A day exploring the history and plant collections of the Grade I registered landscape at Bicton, heralded in the mid-nineteenth century as one of the most important gardens in the country. Joint with Devon Gardens Trust.

Starting in the morning at the mansion, now home to Bicton College, there will be an introduction to the history of the landscape by Kim Auston, landscape architect until recently with Historic England, followed by a tour through the adjacent arboretum with its otter pool and on to the walled garden with its restored glasshouses. In the afternoon Bicton Botanical Gardens curator will introduce the pleasure grounds with its many listed structures and one of the finest collections of trees in the country including 25 champions and extensive Pinetum. Tours will include the Italian Garden laid out in the 1730s, the American garden developed a hundred years later, the fernery and Shell House, the unique domed palm house built some twenty years before that at Kew, the church by Pugin, and a rare treat will be the opportunity to look inside the Victorian Hermitage clad entirely in cedar shingles with its floor composed of deer bones.

The 18-inch gauge Bicton Woodland Railway may be used to reach some of the grounds, but there will be some walking required.  Refreshments at Bicton College on arrival.  Lunch can be bought at Bicton Gardens café, or a picnic may be eaten in the grounds.