Topsham’s Secret Gardens to welcome transatlantic visitors

Tickets are now on sale for one of Devon’s most popular events - and this time it’s even attracting visitors from the United States.

The Secret Gardens of Topsham event is held on alternate years and in 2025 will feature 15 special gardens across the town.

Normally the gardens are strictly private but for six hours from noon on Sunday June 8 they will be open to the public, with all funds raised going to Topsham Museum.

The last Secret Gardens event saw 1,400 visitors and this time organisers hope for even more - including two special guests from Massachusetts on the US east coast.

They’re the parents of Topsham resident Heather Kay, a general manager for the National Trust, whose garden on the edge of the Exe estuary is on show for the first time in next month’s Secret Gardens.

“My parents Henry and Laurie visit twice a year, coinciding with special events in Topsham. This will be their first time seeing just how amazing the Secret Gardens event is.”

Heather says her garden, which offers an uninterrupted view of the Exe, is a voyage of discovery. She explains: “It’s in this fabulous location, but I only moved into the house in November, so everything here was planted by someone else. I’m excited to see what comes up by Secret Gardens day.”

In addition to the gardens, visitors on June 8 will enjoy a plant stall, two refreshment tents, a pop-up shop selling Museum and Topsham items, plus a second hand book stall.

On top of that they’ll have the opportunity to explore the lanes and paths across Topsham as they move between gardens.

Entry is by programme, available for £8 in advance from the Museum’s online shop at topshammuseum.org.uk, or in person from The Topsham Bookshop or from the Topsham branch of Wilkinson Grant, which sponsors the event.

Programmes on the day cost £10.

Secret Gardens of Topsham details:

Sunday June 8 2025, noon until 6pm.

Entrance by programme only. Programmes are £8 in advance (from topshammuseum.org.uk or from The Topsham Bookshop or from the Wilkinson Grant estate agency branch in the town.

Programmes on the day will be £10.

Parking available on the day at Topsham Rugby Club and in the town’s public car parks.