The seaside home of inventor and scientist Otto Overbeck is perched high on the cliffs above Salcombe, with amazing views over the estuary and coast. The gardens contain a hidden paradise of tropical plants, including palm trees, banana plants, citrus and olive trees.
Entrance to the garden, via a flight of steps, is through an avenue of Chusan Palms and Trachycarpus Fortunei.
Each section of the garden is divided up into plants which flourish in their given environments, the most successful being the Himalayan Magnolia Campbellii. Spreading to 20ft, it is covered in deep pink flowers in springtime and complimented by the white-flowered clematis armandii.
Take lunch or tea in the old billiard room (a favourite of convalescing First World War soldiers), eat alfresco on the warm, sheltered terrace or even book a picnic hamper to eat in the garden.
There is some limited parking on site. The gardens are open 11am to 5pm in the spring. Assistance dogs only.