Welcome to the web site of The Rock Gardens, set in the picturesque setting of the old Palace Quarry. There are about 8 acres of wild gardens, ponds, a Rock Walk with lovely views from the top and a small, but attractive illuminated cave with interesting formations, all for you to discover.
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Features in and around The Rock Gardens: · Waterfall and caves |
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The Rock Garden is a unique hidden garden, sympathetically landscaped to maintain its wild nature and peaceful atmosphere. Set in extensive limestone quarries, very near to Ugbrooke House, the gardens have planted dells and an illuminated cave, all nestling at the base of the impressive outcrop of Chudleigh Rock, (Site of Special Scientific Interest), protected for the abundance of wildlife, scenic value, rare plants and insects, and the illusive waterfall and caves.
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Pixies Cave has had to be gated to protect a colony of endangered Greater Horseshoe bats and there is plenty of other wildlife to be spotted around the walks and gardens. The garden also has one of the finest maidenhair trees in the country, splendid ginkgo-biloba, a fine weeping ash and a very grand 80ft elm. We have an abundance of trees, shrubs, palms, tree ferns, grassy glades and wild flowers, which blend with pleasing informality. A drift of sweetly scented cyclamen neapolitanum in September is a wonderful sight, and in the spring the graft hybrid laburnocytisus adamii is very interesting, having yellow laburnum, pink laburnum and mauve broom flowering at the same time. |
Especially interesting is our rock garden with water splashing from pool to pool, which now incorporates an interesting ancient arch, uncovered when a small access was being made into the cellar in 1985.
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Some very fine Koi Orfe and Mirror Carp thrive in the largest pond at the base of the rock, and at the top are fine views over parkland (landscaped by Capability Brown), across the Teign Valley to the Tors of Dartmoor. The poet Dryden derived much of his inspiration from here and is supposed to have left his signature in the cave. We have a tearoom which is
open from Easter to September and serves cream teas and a selection
of home made produce. Additionally we have a well-stocked traditional
nursery, which has a number of unusual plants and a comprehensive
selection of tree ferns. We now also stock genuine Cornish tinned
jewellry and souvenirs, mined, refined, smelted and cast in St.
Agnes, Cornwall. |
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Accessible from our garden, or via the public footpath from Rock Road, is the Clifford Estate's Fairy Glen, where a beautiful rocky waterfall brings Kate Brook into the valley below. A short climb can take you to the top of the famous Chudleigh Rock, with panoramic views of the countryside across the Teign Valley to the distant moors. If you wish to go on the Rock Walk, we recommend stout shoes and advise you keep an eye on any children.
We offer easy access and ample parking for visitors, and we also welcome coaches.
Prices are only £3.00 for adults and £1.50 for children and OAP's.
For further details about our services and any other information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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UK