Visiting the garden at Overbeck’s

The garden at Overbeck's with Salcombe Bay beyond — The garden at Overbeck's | © National Trust Images/George Wright

Discover a subtropical paradise in South Devon. Exotic plants from around the globe flourish in this seaside microclimate, terraced into the cliffside overlooking Salcombe estuary.

A world of plants

Lush tropical planting from Brazil to New Zealand, the Canary Islands to South Africa. An extraordinary array of plants and blooms from many climatic zones, including subtropical, Mediterranean and temperate – a garden-lover’s paradise.

Exotic terraces

Meander gravel walkways that zig zag, packed full of horticultural treasures from towering palms to grasses and succulents, ferns to Japanese maple.

Herbaceous borders and a bronze statue, called First Flight, by Albert Bruce Joy in the Statue Garden at Overbeck's in Devon — Statue Garden at Overbeck's | © National Trust Images / Andrew Butler

Sea views

Find a quiet seat and take in glimpses of aquamarine waters and Salcombe boats below. High in the upper terraces, discover well-earned panoramic views from the aromatic Gazebo garden and the Olive Grove.

Statue garden

Formerly the tennis court, find cool lawns and borders bursting with colour at any time of year. The centrepiece is the bronze sculpture ‘First Flight’ by Albert Bruce Joy, inspired by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem ‘Little Birdie’.

Plants undercover

Potted orange trees are overwintered in the Orange Store glasshouse and moved out for the summer, making way for a display of botanical curiosities. Take shelter in the Cactus Conservatory - once used by recuperating soldiers during the Second World War.

Visitors and a gardener in the terraced gardens with the sea and coastline behind, at Overbeck's, Devon — The terraced gardens at Overbeck's | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

Sensory activities

Explore the Nature Nook, inspired by the naturalist’s study. Discover activity sheets in the conservatory. Reflect quietly in the Banana Garden – our dedicated Silent Space.

Polyphon music box

Listen to the sounds of the 19^th century from our giant polyphon music box. Dating from the 1870s, it is played in the Cactus Conservatory every week on Thursdays and Sundays at 12pm and 2pm.

Coast and countryside walks

Explore walking routes through the National Trust landscape at Salcombe with splendid views of coastline and countryside. Overbeck’s Garden is 1.2 miles from East Soar National Trust car park, and is within easy reach of the South West Coast Path at Sharpitor.

East Soar | Devon | National Trust