Docton Mill and Gardens, Hartland

Docton MIll Gardens lie within Speke's Valley. The gardens have been created around the original millstream encompassing an exceptional bog garden, perennial borders, orchard and natural woodland.

Docton Mill Gardens, Hartland is situated in a stunning valley location 1000m from the coast and famous waterfall at Spekes Mill Mouth. The Garden started in the 1930's but fell into disrepair in the 1970's. 1980 saw the Mill renovated and Garden cleared with extensive planting and the creation of a new Bog Garden and borders, vast numbers of trees were planted. The start of the new Millennium saw developments including a new Magnolia Garden with large Herbaceous borders, Woodland Garden and Greenhouse area enabling more extensive plant propagation. Featured on national and local TV gardening programmes. Nestling within Spekes Valley are Docton Mill Gardens. The eight acres of lovely gardens have been created around the original millstream and encompass a bog garden, orchard and natural woodland. The coast and famous Speke's Mill Mouth waterfall are only a ten minute stroll from here.

Docton Mill Gardens, Hartland, North Devon, UK

Highlights include:

• Garden open 1st March to October 31st, 10am to 6pm
• Gold medal winner at Devon County Show, 2005
• Spectacular display of narcissi in spring
• River walk with displays of naturalised narcissi, bluebells and wild garlic
• Superb bog garden as described in Rosemary Verey’s book, "Good Planting"
• Extensive herbaceous border of over 140m
• Wild flower gardens
• wildlife pond and vegetable garden
• "My favourite garden" - Malcom Duncan, R.H.S Rosemoor
• Tea room serving light lunches with speciality salads during the summer, all food sourced locally
• Dogs allowed on short leads
• Over 300 varieties of herbaceous perennial for sale

Docton Mill Wild Flower Gardens are situated in North Devon (UK) in a stunning valley, 1000m from the coast. The Garden started in the 1930’s but fell into disrepair in the 1970’s. 1980 saw the Mill renovated and Garden cleared with extensive planting and the creation of a new Bog Garden and borders, vast numbers of trees were planted. The start of the new Millennium saw developments including a new Magnolia Garden with large Herbaceous borders, woodland Garden and Greenhouse area enabling more extensive plant propagation. The Wild Flower Gardens theme is to make everything as natural as possible. In spring there are displays of narcissi, primulas, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas with bluebells covering the woods. In summer the garden abounds with roses, there is a rosebank of Felicia and Pax and adjacent to this is the Herbaceous border. In this field there are 25 varieties of magnolia - truly a garden to give variety throughout the seasons.

Docton Mill and its adjoining leat, head weir and terrace have been traced back to Saxon times, probably before the Norman conquest. "A more likely date would be upwards of 150 years earlier, after the death of King Alfred in 901. By that time the Royal Manor of Harton would have been well established, inspiring confidence in the surrounding settled farms and promoting the new technology of water powered milling, to enhance their living, and above all process the larger quantities of grain they could now produce". Extract from "A Millennium for a Mill" by N. S. & I. D. Pugh.

DISABLED FACILITIES

Due to the topographical layout of the garden, it is unsuitable for people in wheelchairs or with serious walking disabilities.  Please telephone 01237 441369 for further details.

Be sure to visit the nearby Docton Mill and Gardens. The mill origins have been traced back to Saxon times, for hundreds of years the mill produced flour for baking bread until it closed in 1910, the last recorded customer Gifford the Baker of Hartland. This remote garden and restored watermill is a real treat at most times of the year. Featured on TV in "Through the Garden Gate", "Discovering Gardens" and "Garden Party".

Docton Mill is less than a mile from the sea, nestling in one of Devon's outstanding beauty spots lies Docton Mill. The mill itself, mentioned in the Domesday Book, has been restored along with its waterways and now generates electricity for the house.

The internationally renowned garden blends with natural landscape. Eight acres of sheltered wooded valley with millpond, leats, trout stream crossed by footbridges and smaller streams. The encompassing bog garden is exceptional.

 Docton is situated close to the famous Spekes Mill waterfall and to Hartland Quay with its fascinating rock formations.

• Hartland 01237 441369
• A39 to Hartland - then follow the tourist board flower sign to Spekes Valley
• Dogs on leads
• Cream teas and sandwiches. Plant sales

www.doctonmill.co.uk

Contributed by: Jane Trewin