The Garden History of Devon is a reference guide to historical sources for over 200 Devon gardens. It also provides an introduction for would-be garden historians on how to conduct garden research. The book is the result of an exploration of the archival resources of Devon's garden history; the objective being to provide signposts to research material for those interested in the development of Devon's gardens. The entries, arranged alphabetically, begin with a brief section describing each garden's history, amplified by quotations from contemporary travellers and diarists; following the descriptive sections are listings of documents, printed sources and illustrations relating to each garden. The greater part of this material is unknown to garden historians.

A comprehensive visitor's guide to some 130 gardens in Devon. Illustrated with colour photographs, it includes a general introduction to the geology, climate and garden history of Devon; a list of nurseries and garden centres in the county, and a calendar of opening times. It is suitable for garden-lovers, whether visitors to the county or locals.

In Praise of Devon is an evocation of the unique character of the county and its people. John Lane eloquently describes Devon’s rivers, coastline and moors; its towns, villages and buildings; its beautiful images and objects, traditions and occupations—from Dartmoor to Devonshire dialect, Church Bells to Cream Teas, Honiton Lace to Holy Wells—and gives intimate sketches of the lives and values of twenty Devonians, including farmers, a trawlerman, a doctor, a cook, the sculptor Peter Randall Page, potter Clive Bowen and scientist James Lovelock. The text is complemented by 140 colour plates:?photographs, engravings and old master paintings of the Devon countryside.

Country house kitchen gardens were designed as perfect ‘grow your own’ environments and ensured that households were supplied with their own fruit and vegetables throughout the year. This book offers an insight into the digging and sowing of these gardens, as well as exploring how walled gardens contributed towards a sustainable lifestyle and often were a source of not just food, but also of natural medicines. A wealth of contemporary illustrations, material from archives, gardening manuals, seed catalogues, engravings and other documents, paint a vivid picture of the country house kitchen garden and its development over three and a half centuries. This delightful book recounts an important part of our historic houses and their national heritage – to be enjoyed by gardeners and non-gardeners alike.