Cadhay Gardens

Cadhay's house and gardens are a Devon destination Listed by Country Life as ‘one of the top ten manor houses in the country’, Cadhay is a splendid manor built in 1550. The present owner, Rupert Thistlethwayte, has spent the better part of a decade restoring Cadhay to its previous splendour while introducing modern comforts such as heating, additional bathrooms, as well as contemporary furniture of his own design to complement the antique furniture. The result is an understated, pleasing mix of the historic and the modern, and a lived-in comfort that makes a stay at Cadhay a true delight. Cadhay's garden is beautiful but it is not a formal show garden. Nonetheless gardening enthusiasts come here to enjoy its informal and natural design and relaxing beauty. The house is approached from the north down a lime tree avenue. On the east side it looks out over lawns with a ha-ha giving a seamless view over parkland - a very popular venue for wedding receptions. After farm buildings on the south side were demolished in 1910, a border was established and a lawn was laid out and planted with Irish yews leading to the mediaeval fish ponds. Plants of note include an avenue of limes, Gunnera manicata, Cotinus coggygnia, Cosmea bipinnatus, Magnolia grandiflora, Dahlia hybrids and Echinacea purpure. A Tea Room is open, serving homebaked cakes and light refreshments.

Cadhay House, Ottery Saint Mary, Exeter, Devon. EX11 1QT. Tel. 01404 812432