Hello and welcome back to all our lovely readers. We hope you are all well? Did you get a chance to read last week’s blog? If you like animals, then you might want to give it a go. It is all about Alpacas and Alpaca walking with Lydford Gorge Alpacas, click here to read. Back to this week, the flowers are blooming and the summer sun is beginning to shine on us. This makes it an excellent time of year to get outdoors and explore the beautiful gardens we have here in Devon. One of our members at Oldaport Farm recently visited Lukeslands Gardens so we thought we would share this wonderful place with you all.
Location
If you are wanting a picturesque spot to enjoy the fresh air, then visit Lukesland Gardens. Set within 24 acres this family-run garden is nestled away in the Dartmoor National Park. Set in the valley of Addicombe Brook the garden is popular for its shrubs and specimen trees. The site is not far from Ivybridge and for more detailed directions click here. Adult tickets cost £6 while children under the age of 16 and wheelchair users go free. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
History
To provide a bit of history on the beautiful property that is now Lukesland Gardens, during the middle-ages the site was used by tin streamers who worked the valley leaving piles of stone and gravel along its sides. This can still be seen now on the moors and fields above the gardens. Furthermore, it is believed that there was once a house in what is now the formal part of the garden which they believe to have been Tudor. According to records the home was quite large with seven bedrooms but vanished from records!
The current house was built in 1862 and a Victorian Gothic Style by W.E.Matthews who wanted a base for hunting on the moor. In 1875 it was sold to James and Barbara MacAndrew who, while owning the home extended the house and built the lodge at the entrance. In 1930 the house was passed onto the Howell family and over the past 75 years, they have improved the gardens to what they are today.
The Gardens
Whatever time of the year you visit the gardens you will see clear water in the stream that cascades over the waterfall and lies calmly in the ponds. One of the amazing features at Lukesland Gardens is the numerous islands and bridges which makes the garden a fun visit for the whole family. The garden boasts an amazing collection of champion trees of which when last counted in 2015 there were 4 National Champion trees, 4 English Champions and 25 Devon Champions.
As well as the garden there is a tearoom serving homemade soup and delicious home bakes.
Further Information
We hope you have enjoyed today’s blog. If you would like more information on the gardens, click here.