Bicton Park
The 63-acre Bicton Park Botanical Gardens is one of the country’s most popular gardens, it is also one of the most historic, and is now grade 1 listed. Youngsters, and the young at heart, may enjoy a ride on the miniature passenger steam railway. It might help you find your way around too, as the track follows a 1.5 mile route through the site.
Bicton Park lies just south of the City of Exeter in north Devon, near the village of Budleigh Salterton in the Otter Valley. The oldest section is the ornamental area which dates back to 1735. It was created in the spirit of the great French landscape gardener Andre Le Notre. Born into a family of royal gardeners in the 17th century, he designed the celebrated gardens of the Palace at Versailles. Wide vistas and geometric patterns are the key features of this style.
Other highlights of Bicton include the 19th century Palm House and the rare collection of conifers. There is also a horticultural museum, gift shop and plant centre. For refreshments, why not visit the Orangery? Also built in the 19th century, it contains a restaurant which boasts spectacular views of the garden.