2-for-1 Gardens - Seaside escapes

Once home to Agatha Christie, Greenway, a Georgian house and garden inland from the Devon coast, offers beautiful views out over the Dart estuary. Fans of Christie may recognise the house from her novels, particularly Poirot’s Dead Man’s Folly, in which the murder takes place in Greenway’s boathouse. There is plenty of history in Greenway’s grounds, such as a World War Two air-raid shelter and Napoleonic gun battery. It is easy to see how the personality of this famous novelist shaped the gardens from the lawn where she used to play ‘clock golf’, to the family pet cemetery and the abundance of dahlias, her favourite flower.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Permitted on the lead
• Single visitor discount: Yes
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Greenway in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Greenway website for further details

Ventnor Botanic Gardens

Many gardens benefit from warming microclimates, but Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight claims to be the hottest garden in Britain. The average recorded temperature in this garden is on average about 5 degrees hotter than the rest of the UK. You can expect to find many unusual and rare plants thriving in the microclimate – there were 272 different plants in bloom on New Year’s Day 2020. In August, find the Chilean lantree tree ablaze with crimson flowers and blue agapanthus mimicking the colour of the sea beyond.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Permitted on the lead
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Ventnor Gardens in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Ventnor Botanic Gardens website for further details

Priory Maze and Gardens

Near to Cromer on the North Norfolk coast, is Priory Maze & Gardens, the perfect coastal garden for a family day out. Keep an eye out for the grove of Tasmanian tree ferns and the special Norfolk riviera garden, a beach-like path lined with verbascums and drought-resistant plants. Most impressive though, is the 2m-tall maze waiting to be explored by adventurers of all ages. Children can also enjoy the Pine Walk playground, whilst naturalists can spend their time looking out for wildlife in the pond-dipping area.

• Disabled access: Full access
• Dogs: Permitted on the lead
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Priory Maze and Gardens in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Priory Maze and Gardens website for further details

Overbeck's Garden

Home to many exotic and subtropical plants, Overbeck’s Garden in Devon also boasts impressive views out across the Salcombe estuary. Find an olive grove and banana garden in this Edwardian terrace garden. The former owner of the garden, Otto Overbeck was an eccentric who believed he could reverse the ageing process! He patented his ‘electrical rejuvenator’ in the 1920s which required users to attach electrodes to their face. We’d recommend a walk in these lush garden with fresh sea breeze for a more natural sense of rejuvenation.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Not permitted
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Light refreshments

Find our more about Overbeck's Garden in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Overbeck's website for further details

Dunvegan Castle & Garden

Despite the slightly austere look of the ramparts of Dunvegan Castle, on the Isle of Skye, the gardens tell a different story. These gardens are a lush oasis nestled into a rugged landscape. The walled gardens once grew produce to feed the castle, but now they boast a series of herbaceous borders and a lily pond. Discover the richly planted water garden, complete with meandering paths, bridges and waterfalls, the giant-leaved gunneras are also particularly spectacular. In good weather, you may be able to enjoy a boat trip from the jetty to see the seals (extra charges apply).

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Permitted on lead
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Dunvegan Castle & Gardens in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Dunvegan Castle & Garden website for further details