Coleton Fishacre House & Garden

Arts & Crafts-style house, designed for the D'Oyly Carte family in the 1920's, with an elegant Art Deco-influenced interior. Set amid a 24-acre garden with water features and fine collection or rare and exotic plants, in a spectacular coastal setting. The garden at Coleton Fishacre descends from open views around the house, through increasingly jungle-like vegetation, down to the coastal footpath. The terraces and walled Rill Garden beside the house provide a formal introduction to the wilder garden below. Thanks to the sea and the stream which runs down through the valley to the sea, atmospheric humidity is high and many moisture-loving species which can survive in few other places in Britain grow to an exceptional size here. Spring brings the colours of rhododendrons, Chilean Fire Trees, Azaleas, Magnolias, Acacias and Camelias, backed by the varied foliage of conifers and broad-leaved trees. In summer, the Hydrangeas take the stage, their rich blue flowers echoing the tines of the summer sea. Autumn sees the changing colours of leaves and the appearance of berries on Spindle Trees, Rowans and many other trees and shrubs. Times of Opening: April-September - every day 10.30am - 6pm Garden and Tearoom: March: Sats & Suns 11.00-5.00, then from 29 Mar to 29 Oct: Weds to Suns and Bank Holiday Mons: 10.30-5.00 House: 29 Mar to 29 Oct: Weds to Suns and Bank Holiday Mons: 11.00-4.30 (last entry at 4.00)