The Secret Gardens of Topsham - Topsham Museum

One of the west country’s best loved events is back this June - the Secret Gardens of Topsham.   Organised by Topsham Museum, 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. 

“The magical thing about Secret Gardens is that it’s a wonderful day even if you don’t garden!”   explains Rachel Nichols, organiser of the event and president of Topsham Museum. “The green-fingered will love the gardens of course - they range from pocket sized to very large indeed, and are normally very private, except for just six hours on the day. And even non-gardeners love exploring Topsham’s street, lanes and hidden corners along the 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, 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.”

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.

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.

Secret Gardens of Topsham details:

Sunday June 8 2025, Noon until 6pm.

Entrance by programme, which will be available from May 1.  Programmes will be £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.

Public transport:  57 bus from Exeter/Exmouth, alight at the Nelson pub and walk down Fore Street to the Quay.   Train from Exeter or Exmouth to Topsham Station, walk down Holman Way to the Quay.

Parking available on the day at Topsham Rugby Club from 1130 (donation applies) and in the town’s public car parks.