Muddiford

From Barnstaple to Ilfracombe, the B3230 winds through a pretty valley, passing along the way through attractive small villages. Despite the rather unappealing name, Muddiford is one of them. The village really did get its name from the muddy ford by which medieval travellers used to cross the river here.

About two miles southwest of Muddiford, Marwood Hill Gardens offer visitors some 18 acres of trees and shrubs, many of them rare and unusual. The collection was started more than half a century ago and now includes an enormous number and variety of plants. The three lakes, linked by the largest bog garden in the West Country, are busy with ducks and multi-coloured carp. From spring, when camellias and magnolias are in bloom, through to the brilliant hues of autumn, the gardens provide a continuous spectacle of colour. The gardens are home to the national collections of astilbe, iris and tulbaghia.