Overbeck’s Garden at Sharpitor, Salcombe, Devon
Tucked away on the cliffs above Salcombe, the National Trust owned Overbeck’s Gardens at Sharpitor are a subtropical paradise full of exotic plants and exquisite colour. You don’t see this kind of thing very often in the UK so it’s a must for when you’re on your large group holidays in Devon. Wind your way through the very distinct areas – the Gazebo Garden where the views out over the Salcombe estuary are breathtaking, the enchanting Statue Garden, the Quarry Garden with its incredible foliage and the Olive Grove where olive trees grow in a beautiful meadow.
Carry on to the Banana Garden (who would have thought that bananas grew in the UK!) and the Terraces where palms and grasses sway gently in the breeze. In the Woodland Garden you’ll see the striking colours of Japanese maples, magnolias in bloom and spring bulbs that are a feast for the eyes. See The Glasshouse where orange trees are kept over the winter and in the summer is a botanist’s delight.
At the heart of the gardens stands a gorgeous Edwardian house, once the home of eccentric inventor Otto Overbeck who patented his ‘electrical rejuvenator’ in the 1920’s. There’s a food kiosk, WCs and a car park but nothing else is needed because the beauty of Overbeck’s is that it transports you back to a different time and to a different world. It’s lush and unique and the sense of wonder is immense.
Opening times vary throughout the year so check the website to plan your visit.
T: 01548 842893 All information correct at the time of writing