Cockington Court

Cockington Court is just outside Torquay and easily accessible by car, bus or on foot. Once you get there you can take a wander around the Manor House. Start your visit at the Visitor Welcome Point, where you can find out more about what's happening and the latest exhibition. Here you'll also find art and craft pieces to buy and take home and showpieces by the resident makers.

Steeped in history, the manor house dates back to the Domesday times. Learn about the powerful Cary and Mallock families who lived in the manor house and discover links to Agatha Christie who performed here. After taking in the history of the Court and Cockington, visit the Kitchen Gallery to view the latest art exhibition and stop for a drink or lunch at the tea rooms.

Behind the Manor House discover the Tudor Rose Garden and the Walled Art Garden. The walled garden is currently undergoing a project to improve access and create new features including a story-telling area. A group of energetic gardeners have been working to develop the new project and prepare the beds.

The garden will remain organic and vegetable producing but with a new emphasis on creative art and craft skills. By adding an artistic twist on the traditional kitchen garden, it will showcase the work of local artists and craftsmen, many of whom are based in the studios at Cockington Court.

The artwork and new paths will also enable the garden to be visited all year round, no matter what the season and the effect of weather on the plants. The new design will improve the existing access and seating facilities, and provides a facility for use by community groups and schools.

The garden will demonstrate how companion-planting can be effective by introducing flowers amongst vegetables e.g. to assist in stopping pests and disease without use of chemical fertilisers. The bee keeper will show how important bees are to the environment.

As well as the Manor House and Gardens, it's worth a trip to the Stable Yard and Sea Change Studioes where you can discover over 20 skilled and contemporary artists and craft makers. The all have high quality craft pieces available to buy directly from the makers. See the glass blowers create amazing works of art, hear the blacksmith clinking away in his forge, smell the delightful aromas and taste the chocolate created by the chocolatier.

Address : Cockington Court, Cockington, Torquay TQ2 6XA