Shaldon Botanical Gardens

The gardens sit right on the Teign estuary near Shaldon village, and the first thing that strikes you is how sheltered everything feels. Even on a blustery Devon day, the subtropical plants seem to thrive in their own microclimate - there are palms, tree ferns, and Mediterranean species you'd normally only find down south. It's genuinely surprising.

You're looking at a proper botanist's garden rather than a manicured show space. The layout follows the contours of the land, so there's quite a bit of walking, but nothing punishing. Paths wind through themed areas - you'll find rare plants from all over, many with information boards that actually tell you something useful rather than just the Latin name.

History lovers will appreciate that the gardens date back decades and have been continuously developed. It's the sort of place where you can spend an afternoon pottering, or just do an hour if you're pressed for time. Fair warning: the terrain is hilly in places, so it's not ideal if you're after a completely flat stroll with young children or a pushchair.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks like Lady's Mile or Golden Sands, this is an easy drive to escape the holiday park routine without heading into a crowded seaside town. Spring and early summer are when the gardens look their best, though honestly, there's something worth seeing most of the year. Bring proper shoes.