Save the Date! Secret Gardens of Topsham, Sunday 8 June 2025

Added: 17 March 2025

One of the west country’s best loved events is back this June - the Secret Gardens of Topsham.  Organised by Topsham Museum and held on Sunday June 8 the event - normally staged on alternate years - attracted no fewer than 1,400 visitors in 2023 and this year aims for even more.

For 2025 the event, which is held with the support of Wilkinson Grant estate agency, will consist of 15 gardens throughout the town. They each truly deserve the title of ‘hidden gem’. Most are completely private except for this event with some boasting views over the Exe Estuary. 

Visitors can enjoy a special opportunity at one of Topsham’s finest houses along the Strand - a pop-up Museum shop and a specialist plant stall, including selections propagated from some of the Secret Gardens themselves.   And don’t forget there will be tea and delicious home made cakes at two additional stops along the garden route.

“Like all of our Museum activities, this event is undertaken entirely by volunteers who have been planning it since the start of the year, not to mention the garden owners who obviously take huge pride in displaying their beautiful work” explains Rachel Nichols, who was one of the organisers of the very first Secret Gardens event in the town back in 2004.  “This year we’re especially proud of the event as the Museum itself is temporarily closed until later in the summer because of extensive restoration work by Exeter City Council.”

All proceeds from the event go towards running Topsham Museum, which relies entirely on donations and proceeds from its shop and refreshments to cover running costs. The Museum also hosts small displays in a restored red telephone box in the heart of the town.

Sunday June 8 2025, Noon until 6pm.  Entrance by programme available from May 1.

Programmes will be £8 in advance (either from topshammuseum.org.uk or The Topsham Bookshop or Wilkinson Grant estate agency branch in the town.)

Programmes purchased on the day will be £10.

Public transport:  57 bus from Exeter or Exmouth, alight at Nelson pub and walk down Fore Street.  Train (Avocet Line) from Exmouth or Exeter, walk down Holman Way to the Quay.

Parking available on the day at Topsham Rugby Club (a donation applies) and in the town’s public car parks.