Docton Mill Gardens& Tea Rooms

Lana and John Borrett run this garden and tea room built around a former corn mill near Hartland, on the approach to Bideford Bay. The mill stopped trading in 1910 and the grounds fell into disrepair until restoration began in 1980, when the mill building was renovated and new borders, a bog garden and a woodland walk were laid out. The garden now holds a collection of magnolias alongside naturalised narcissi and bluebells along its river walk. The tea room serves cream teas made with locally sourced ingredients, with seating available indoors or in the garden, and there is no charge simply to visit the tea room. The gardens open from April to October, closed on Sundays, and lie around 1,500 yards from the coast.