The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives – Gertrude Jekyll 

Why not combine a visit to the Sitting Spiritually Garden and make a weekend of it, visiting one, or all, of these much loved gardens whilst enjoying all that our beautiful West Country has to offer.

All the gardens below, apart from Mapperton, have our swing seats, so you will be able to enjoy a brief interlude on them whilst taking in the glorious surroundings.

Burrow Farm Gardens

7.3 miles away (EX13 7ET)

East Devon’s Secret Garden has lost some of its secrecy! In November 2021 it was named The Nations Favourite Public Garden in a competition run by The English Garden and National Garden Scheme.When looking for gardens to visit in the South West of England look no further!

Beautiful Burrow Farm  is situated in the idyllic countryside between Axminster & Honiton. The 13 acre garden has colour throughout the year from the spring flowers through to the stunning Azaleas and Rhododendrons in May. Visit in late summer to see the Grasses Garden created to celebrate 50 years of Burrow Farm Gardens.

Burrow Farm have an Affinity Heart Back Swing Seat.

Forde Abbey

6.83 miles away (TA20 4LU)

One of our very favourite gardens, every visit is a treat, in all seasons. Home to the highest powered fountain in the country. For an in depth view of Forde Abbey, read world renowned garden designer Isabel Bannerman’s feature on her favourite garden:  Read more here  

Dogs welcome on leads.  Forde Abbey have three of our swing seats in the garden. Absolutely gorgeous Instagram, well worth a follow

Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens

16.06 miles away (DT3 4LA)

An 18th-century garden with rare plants and notable magnolia and camellia blooms, plus a restaurant. The Garden is a mixture of formal and informal flowers, world famous for its Camellia groves and magnolias. Noted in Dorset for its Rhododendron and Hydrangea collections and the charming Victorian Garden. Don’t miss stunning views of the Dorset Jurassic Coast from the viewpoint at the top of the Magnolia Walk.
Abbotsbury was described by Alan Titchmarsh as "one of the finest Gardens I have ever visited."

Dogs welcome on leads. Find two of our swing seats there.

Mapperton

18.1 miles away (DT8 3NR)

Home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Mapperton is a glorious sandstone manor house and romantic valley garden deep in a lost Dorset valley among tumbling hills and unspoiled countryside. Fifteen acres of gardens descend from the croquet lawn, through the formal topiary down to the wild garden.  There is a stunning orangery and the house itself has been used in many famous films.  In 2020 Mapperton was voted Historic Houses Garden of the Year and Country Life Magazine called it “The Nation’s Finest Manor House”.

Minterne

31.6 miiles away (DT2 7AU)

Minterne is a stunning country House & Himalayan Garden landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown and trailing around a mile in length, Minterne boasts a world renowned and completely unique collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons and Azaleas, with Spring bulbs, Cherries, Maples and many fine and rare trees. Wander the trail and enjoy the chain of small lakes, waterfalls and streams. With an abundance to see from the snowdrops in winter, to spring bluebells through to summer azaleas and hydrangeas, the garden is full of interest throughout the year.  The gardens feature in The Telegraph’s top 25 gardens to visit.  Minterne have a Tranquillity Fan Back Swing Seat.

RHS Garden Rosemoor

71.4 miles away (EX38 89H)

Whilst we appreciate RHS Rosemoor is quite a way from Sitting Spiritually, we cannot recommend it highly enough, a garden full of inspiration, set in a beautiful valley in the heart of North Devon between two National Parks, this 65 acre haven for biodiversity and wildlife has something for everyone. Rosemoor is a garden of intoxicating beauty, meticulously crafted and planted, retaining the essence of rural North Devon within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides, see the view from our swing seat & pergola in the photo below and also find two more of our swing seats as you walk around.

Click here to book your visit to The Sitting Spiritually Garden,  with our links to recommended places to stay

If you would like to contribute a guest blog, please contact Siobhan at siobhan@sittingspiritually.co.uk