Castle Drogo gardens in Devon, designed by Edwin Lutyens and George Dillistone
Castle Drogo gardens in Devon are looking brilliant this July. The rain came at the right time and was followed by sunshine. The current visitor limits result in being able to enjoy the gardens without crowding but the cafe remains open and as friendly as ever. The granite-built castle, one of architect Lutyens’ masterpieces, remains closed off for major maintenance and renovation. My view is from Sharp Tor (265 m.)
The planting in the garden which Edwin Lutyens and George Dillistone designed for the retail entrepreneur Julius Drewe, reflects and amplifies a Devon hedgerow with its fragrances and gaudy colours, quite the contrast to the grey granite tors of Dartmoor. Lutyens’ shapes for the paths and topiary are another showing of his architectural skills but in the medium of garden rather than stone.
As well as the architecture and the garden, one of the great treats of a visit to Castle Drogo is a game of croquet. Castle Drogo’s croquet lawn looks a good green this year but is not currently available for play.