Two famous and amazing gardens to see in South Devon.
Greenway Garden was owned by the famous writer Agatha. A trip here makes for an enjoyable half day out. We recommend visiting by ferry from Dartmouthand landing at Greenway Quay.
Greenway is not only extremely beautiful, but dates back over 500 years since it was first owned by the Gilberts (one of their sons, Sir Humphrey, was to become Lord Lieutenant of Devon). It is a significant horticultural treasure, where each successive owner has contributed to the wonderful legacy that is today managed by the National Trust.
The garden presents a totally magnificent atmosphere mixing refined wilderness with romance and mystery. It is well known for its rare half-hardy plants and displays of wild flowers. It is very well positioned and provides great views of the Dart estuary and the area all around.
Over the years, the various owners built new buildings and extended the gardens and grounds. At the turn of the 18th Century, Humphry Repton designed the shape of the property; his work remains intact to this day.
In the late 19th Century and into the early 20th Century, the species in the gardens were extensively catalogued, noting, amongst others, the Monterey pines, eucalyptus and acacias as well as a multitude of flowering climbers and other plant species.
The 1920's saw the then owner Charles Williams planting extensively throughout the gardens. Agatha Christie together with her husband Max Mallowan, the famous archaeologist, maintained the gardens with vigour, and it remained in her family's ownership until they gave it to the National Trust in 2000. You just have to visit if you are staying nearby!
The scientist and inventor Otto Overbeck brought some rare and tropical plants to his eponymous gardens in Overbeck Sharpitor at Salcome.
Overbeck Sharpitor is an extremely stylish and very elegant Edwardian house. Originally designed in the early 1900's by Edric Hopkins, Otto Overbeck developed it further when he took it over in 1928. The quite spectacular 6-acre cliff-top gardens offer magnificent views over the Salcombe estuary. Designed as a series of terraces and enclosures, they are full of wonderfully coloured plants from all over the world. Many are tropical and some are quite rare, species normally only grown by the brave enthusiast under glass. However, they are able to grow here because of the warmer 'micro' climate in and around the garden.
A very special spectacular sight in this garden is the flowering of the century old Magnolia campbelli.
The property includes a Museum, and six of the rooms contain a host of itmes demonstrating Overbeck's lifelong interest in Natural History, fauna, children's toys, ship-building, his drawings and the sea. Afternoon tea is served in the Billiard Room.
Dr. Otto Overbeck gave the house and grounds to the National Trust in 1937.
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