• One of UK’s best-loved gardens celebrates 80th anniversary
  • Fundraising year planned to protect garden for future generations
  • Highlight of celebrations is evening with TV gardener Frances Tophill

One of Devon’s most beautiful gardens is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a series of special events and a fundraising programme.

The Garden House near Yelverton in West Devon, described as ‘One of the finest gardens in Britain’ by renowned horticulturist, Alan Titchmarsh, urgently needs funds to ensure its future.

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The Garden House is celebrating its 80th anniversary. (Garden House )

In addition to repairing its ancient buildings, it needs to improve facilities for disabled visitors and introduce new planting which will thrive in the more extreme weather that climate change is bringing to Devon.

The anniversary year is being marked by a series of gardening talks and lectures celebrating horticulture and Devon gardens. The highlight of the celebratory programme is a talk by TV gardener Frances Tophill on June 26 at Tavistock Town Hall, sponsored by RBC Brewin Dolphin.

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TV gardener Frances Tophill. (Garden House )

“We are regarded as one of England’s most beautiful gardens – so we’re holding a major fundraising initiative during our anniversary year to help ensure the garden survives and thrives for the benefit of future garden lovers,” said The Garden House Chairman, Mark Brunsdon.

“Like many other attractions, we are facing higher running costs,” he said.

“To safeguard the garden for the next 80 years future we need extra funds to maintain the garden’s outstanding presentation, carry out repairs to our buildings and invest in new styles of planting to cope with climate change.

“We’re seeking to raise £30,000 from our anniversary year appeal and ask everyone who loves the garden to support our programme of anniversary events or make a donation via our website.

“We’re hosting a series of talks and garden events through the year – and are delighted that Frances Tophill, well-known to gardeners as a presenter on BBC Gardeners World and ITV’s Love your Garden, has agreed to help us celebrate our anniversary year.”

“Having heard so many amazing things about The Garden House I cannot wait for my visit,” said Devon-based TV gardener, Frances Tophill.

garden house
Garden House is fundraising to ensure its future. (Garden House )

Created by Lionel and Katharine Fortescue in the 1940s, The Garden House is located on the site of Buckland Monachorum’s former vicarage.

Its sheltered site is eight miles north of Plymouth on the edge of Dartmoor and hides delights for visitors through every season. These include the winter snowdrop festival, beautiful spring blossom, a traditional English walled garden in high summer and stunning autumn colours.

The Fortescues’ vision to transform the grounds of the former vicarage, which has buildings dating back to 1305, into a horticultural paradise, has created one of Britain’s best-loved gardens.

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Fundraising events will run throughout the year. (Garden House )

Following in the footsteps of Lionel Fortescue, three head gardeners – Keith Wiley, Matt Bishop and Nick Haworth – have introduced new planting themes to complement the original garden laid out in the 1940s. It is now run as a charitable trust attracting thousands of visitors every year.

More information about The Garden House 80th anniversary celebrations including opportunities to donate to the appeal online and book places on gardening talks are available at: https://www.thegardenhouse.org.uk.