It’s a real hidden gem with stunning sea view gardensThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
One of the incredible views from the gardens of Coleton Fishacre estate(Image: Emma Slee/DevonLive)
Nestled down winding country lanes, it might not be the first National Trust destination that comes to mind when considering excursions in Devon.
Coleton Fishacre isn’t particularly ancient either, having been constructed as a 1920s rural escape. However, the main draw isn’t the property itself. It’s the stunning tropical gardens with sea views that are truly an idyllic haven.
Situated in a valley near Kingswear and beside the South West Coast Path, Coleton Fishacre represents an absolute treasure within the National Trust’s portfolio. Imagine this scene – Rupert D’Oyly and Lady Dorothy were sailing in the early 1900s when they discovered the valley descending towards Pudcombe Cove. In that precise instant, they recognised their desire to create a rural retreat there that would perfectly complement their love of the outdoors. And that’s exactly what they achieved.
Architect Oswald Milne crafted the property to harmonise with its environment. He aimed for the building to maximise the coastal vistas and natural illumination from its location within the seaside valley. The Arts and Crafts aesthetic of the facade highlighted regional resources, incorporating stone extracted from the grounds.
Building work on their new countryside residence commenced in 1925, and by 1926, Lady Dorothy and Rupert D’Oyly Carte had taken up residence at Coleton Fishacre. The household embraced open-air pursuits. Boating expeditions, bathing in Pudcombe Cove, and entertaining guests were integral to their existence there. The family’s history proves just as captivating as discovering their idyllic retreat. Rupert, whose father Richard D’Oyly Carte was the theatrical entrepreneur behind Gilbert and Sullivan and the Savoy Hotel, assumed the role of Chairman of the Savoy Hotel Company in 1903 following his father’s footsteps. A decade later, he also inherited control of the Opera Company from his stepmother.
Rupert introduced a vibrant and innovative vision to both enterprises by updating them and championing artists and designers. In 1907, he married Lady Dorothy Gathorne-Hardy, daughter of the second Earl of Cranbrook. Lady Dorothy was recognised for her ‘common touch’.
She was an elegant woman with dark features and stood notably taller than Rupert. During weekdays, while Rupert remained in London, Lady Dorothy would reside at Coleton Fishacre. This arrangement allowed her to pursue her beloved pastimes of fishing, gardening and sailing.
Both Rupert and Dorothy harboured a passion for the outdoors and their garden. Weekend excursions aboard their yacht to south Cornwall frequently provided inspiration for fresh concepts. Saturday mornings would find them wandering the Coleton Fishacre grounds together, discussing their horticultural ambitions.
The pair were also enthusiastic hosts. Their weekend visitors featured celebrated musicians including conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent and artists such as Charles Ricketts. Guests arrived for bridge gatherings and were regularly enlisted to assist with garden maintenance. The D’Oyly Cartes had two children, Bridget and Michael. However, tragedy befell the family in 1932 when Michael was killed in a car accident in Switzerland at the age of 21. This devastating loss created an enduring divide between Lady Dorothy and Rupert, leading to their separation in 1936.
Following their divorce, Lady Dorothy departed England and relocated to Plymouth, Tobago. She became a valued member of the local community and devoted herself to fundraising efforts for charitable causes in the area.
Rupert and Dorothy’s daughter was amongst the first students at Dartington School. Upon completing her education, she married her cousin in 1926. The union lasted just four years, after which she spent the period from 1939 to 1947 working in child welfare across London.
From 1948 onwards, she committed herself to managing the opera company. She subsequently founded the D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust as a charitable organisation, took up a directorship within the Savoy Hotel group, and received a Damehood in 1975.
Bridget disposed of Coleton Fishacre in 1949, as the property was situated too far from London. The estate was acquired by Rowland Smith, a prominent London motor dealer and proprietor of the Palace Hotel in Torquay.
Rowland and his wife Freda maintained the house and gardens with considerable care until his death in 1979. Shortly before Freda’s passing in 1982, Coleton Fishacre was presented to the National Trust. Due to its valley position, Coleton Fishacre benefits from a climate comparable to South Cornwall’s mildness. This enables numerous exotic and delicate species to prosper within the grounds. Ranging from structured terraces to wooded areas, the Coleton Fishacre gardens offer variety and feature flora and fauna worth discovering throughout the year. The site also holds recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
When temperatures rise, Coleton Fishacre transforms into a spectacular display of colour. The garden’s sheltered position shields it from severe weather conditions, enabling fragile and unusual species to thrive from early spring through late autumn. Upon arriving at the house and grounds, visitors encounter daffodils and primroses bordering the walkways, while cherry trees begin flowering from March.
Wellington’s Wall, situated to the house’s right, will shortly showcase vibrant hues from indigenous coastal flora that flourish along the neighbouring shoreline. Venture deeper along the valley trails for striking displays of camellias and hellebores towards the garden’s lower section, while appreciating expansive ocean vistas through the foliage.
Kent’s Border, christened after Mr Kent who was the site foreman when the house was built in the 1920s, has undergone significant restoration recently. It sits at the garden’s upper level on the descent towards the house. Embodying the Arts and Crafts aesthetic, this border incorporates hedging, topiary, gentle planting schemes and abundant colour.
These hedgerows additionally function as passageways linking various habitats while offering sanctuary for the numerous species inhabiting the garden. At the front of the property, the Hot Border overflows with blooms in blazing shades of red and orange. They produce a ‘firework’ effect with upright-facing flowers, which glow from summer through to late autumn. These were Rupert D’Oyly Carte’s preferred colours, and he enjoyed views of the border from his library desk.
The Rill Garden takes its name from the rill, a structured portion of the stream, flowing through its heart. The borders contain a combination of robust herbaceous and semi-hardy perennials in pastel shades, which were Lady Dorothy’s favourites. Her chamber offered a beautiful vista of this garden.
The terraces and walls surrounding the property echo the building’s architectural lines. They accommodate tender, sun-seeking plants and each terrace features a pool. The upper pool’s curved design complements an otter sculpture, created by local artist Bridget McCrum.
Throughout the warmer seasons, the terraces and flower beds brim with an array of blooms. These provide an excellent nectar source for insects such as butterflies, moths and bees.
The stone employed in constructing the house originated from the quarry wall positioned beneath the gazebo. It was conveyed up the valley via railway tracks, which are currently in use within the kitchen where they support shelves. Several locations throughout the garden offer opportunities to appreciate the coastal panoramas.
Scout Point, the gazebo and the summerhouse, for instance, all provide expansive, sweeping views.
Coleton Fishacre’s woodland comprises a combination of broadleaved trees and conifers.
These create habitat for tawny owls, great spotted woodpeckers and numerous other bird species.
Decaying timber and fallen leaves are essential for insects and fungi, which explains the log piles you’ll encounter in the woodland near Scout Point.
Venturing deeper into the valley, the garden adopts a more informal character.
At its lowest point lies a clearing filled with tree ferns, where a stream meanders towards the coast and hydrangeas flourish during summer.
There’s also a gate providing access to the South West Coast Path, where you can admire views at Pudcome Cove and observe the historic tidal pool once utilised by the D’Oyly Carte family.
The garden at Coleton Fishacre, featuring its blend of flower borders, woodland, grassland and streams, supports numerous creatures year-round.
Butterflies, such as the marbled white and the common blue, frequently appear in the grassland sections around the garden’s perimeter during warmer months.
Voles and meadow grasshoppers similarly favour these habitats, alongside plants including ox-eye daisy, bird’s-foot trefoil and betony. With the stream flowing through the valley and the neighbouring coastline, numerous distinctive trees and shrubs flourish in this garden. Additionally, the stream and ponds provide habitat for newts, dragonflies and toads. You may even spot snakes and lizards basking on a smooth stone during sunny weather.
As with all National Trust sites, the team and volunteers consistently make children feel welcome. Coleton Fishacre presently offers an engaging activity where youngsters must locate different patterns within the manor house rooms. There’s no reward, you simply mark them off as you progress and inform the friendly team member at the house entrance if you’ve found them all. And if some elude you, the volunteers positioned in different rooms to discuss the history and features of what you’re viewing will certainly assist. There’s also a handout that prompts you to discover various elements of nature throughout the garden. Should you visit on a fortunate day, you might encounter one of the volunteers performing on the piano in the Saloon. It undoubtedly enhances the ambience of early 20th-century opulence and grandeur. Ashtrays present in every room also reflect the era when this residence was at its peak. Upon entering each family member’s bedroom and viewing authentic furnishings and garments, you can picture the moments they experienced there. And, naturally, you cannot help but feel emotional when you arrive at young Michael’s bedroom, who tragically died at just 21 years of age. One can only contemplate the sorrow that would have engulfed what was previously such a vibrant and cheerful household.
The cafe and shop are equally deserving of a visit, though the cafe was scheduled to close for renovation during a period in February.
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