Thorn House & Garden
Thorn House & Garden
5
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Thorn Garden sits on the south-east facing banks of the River Yealm. This historical 9 acre garden boasts wonderful views and holds a stunning selection of unusual trees and plants from around the world. Private tours of the garden are available by appointment; including optional Devon cream tea! Thorn also offers a wonderful venue for corporate events including weddings, garden parties, etc.
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5.0
23 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Andrew M
Plymouth, UK113 contributions
May 2023
A stunning place overlooking the Yealm river and with a beautiful and unique garden. Tons of history as well. Just spent a magical afternoon topped off with a cream tea as went as part of a group.
Written 24 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ericamcclenaghan
Barnstaple, UK1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Couples
The setting of Thorn House above the River Yealm with its surrounding gardens and pathways that meander down to the private jetty is unsurpassable. The enthusiasm and interest taken by John and Eva Gibson in their home (John with the history of the property and Eva with the garden & cooking) makes the whole experience a relaxed yet informative stay. My husband and I visited with a very dear French friend who only has brief holidays in England and I so wanted her to enjoy her stay. I was not disappointed as her appreciation on our return journey was ecstatic.
The furnishings and views from Thorn House give you the feeling that you could be staying any moment within the last one hundred years. Leave your mobile behind.... there is no TV in your bedroom, just enjoy finding yourself within this peaceful setting.
Do take good walking shoes/gear and make your way down to the ferry to cross the river to Newton Ferris & Nos Mayo where excellent sustenance can be found.
We shall most definitely be returning so I can only hope that John and Eva enjoyed our stay as much as we did. Thank you both so much. Erica & Tom McClenaghan and Nadine Debien
The furnishings and views from Thorn House give you the feeling that you could be staying any moment within the last one hundred years. Leave your mobile behind.... there is no TV in your bedroom, just enjoy finding yourself within this peaceful setting.
Do take good walking shoes/gear and make your way down to the ferry to cross the river to Newton Ferris & Nos Mayo where excellent sustenance can be found.
We shall most definitely be returning so I can only hope that John and Eva enjoyed our stay as much as we did. Thank you both so much. Erica & Tom McClenaghan and Nadine Debien
Written 19 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HelenJeremy
Tavistock, UK2 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Beautiful and tranquil garden in unique and very picturesque situation above the River Yealm . Fascinating history given by informative and friendly hosts, John and Eva. A very special collection of rare trees, and great views. Great afternoon visit, even for non-gardeners like us, culminating with a delicious, homemade tea. Not far from Plymouth, but hidden away, and peaceful. Highly recommended.
Written 11 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sieniewicz
Plymouth, UK5 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We visited Thorn House on Mother's Day. The tour around the garden was outstanding and Eva and her husband were the perfect hosts. We had tea in the conservatory and gorged ourselves on Eva's home made scones and cakes. John guided us around the house and even played Bach on the organ for us. We were made to feel very welcome. They couldn't have done anything more to make us feel at home. The views are the best in Devon. Thank you so much!
Written 11 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulyblow
Exeter, UK1 contribution
May 2017 • Couples
Thorn House is the perfect get away from the furious pace of modern life. Expect to step back in time to another era. The clock chiming hourly, the old fashioned 'briing' of a telephone are the only noises you are likely to hear. The setting of Thorn is sublime. Positioned West of and high up above the River Yealm, the glorious 1800's gardens meet this beautiful estuary where you can meander down through the gardens, taking in the rare trees and plants and wander down to the waters edge. The house itself is a handsome Georgian building with strong Art Deco features (the history of Thorn is fascinating and dates back much earlier) It is furnished beautifully in keeping with its period. The house faces east with magnificent views of the Yealm. The estuary can also be seen from the day rooms on the south side of the house. Breakfast is taken in the beautiful Orangery overlooking the wonderful gardens. The Muesli, Salmon & eggs with home made bread are delicious! The gardens at Thorn are uniquely special to the area and have a rich botanical past. Many rare tree specimens were bought here in the early 1900s by William Arkwright who retired to Thorn at the time. Eva, also a very skilled botanist has continued in Arkwright's footsteps to keep the gardens at Thorn what they are - a true paradise. Only with such loving and caring hands could a garden like Thorn be as it is today. Eva is a gracious host, very happy to offer help and tips on places to eat and visit in the area. The only problem with Thorn is you won't want to leave!
Written 16 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy B
Horrabridge1 contribution
Oct 2015 • Friends
Excellent visit...John and Eva are wonderful hosts and so knowledgeable. ...I paticularly enjoyed the piano recital ...quite unexpected !!!
Written 23 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy W
Wiveliscombe, UK4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Thorn house is a beautiful place to stay. Fabulous views across the Yealm estuary & beautiful gardens. The family are very welcoming & Karl & Kate looked after us very well
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katemC9777XM
8 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
We stayed at Thorn House on August bank holiday weekend and had a wonderful stay at the very unique and beautiful house. We would highly recommend staying here!
We had a very spacious double room with ensuite bathroom and had a great night’s sleep. We particularly enjoyed the home cooked breakfasts each morning by lovely host Eva in the orangery, looking out on to the beautifully manicured lawns and gardens (of which there is a lot to explore).
It was such a peaceful location that we ended up staying for an extra night.
A walk and boat ride to Noss Mayo is a must and there are some nice local beaches nearby.
We had a very spacious double room with ensuite bathroom and had a great night’s sleep. We particularly enjoyed the home cooked breakfasts each morning by lovely host Eva in the orangery, looking out on to the beautifully manicured lawns and gardens (of which there is a lot to explore).
It was such a peaceful location that we ended up staying for an extra night.
A walk and boat ride to Noss Mayo is a must and there are some nice local beaches nearby.
Written 8 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daria S
Poole, UK107 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Hidden place, open only at Saturday (even then building was close) unsure that even then. Lovely walk with small steps around.
Written 3 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Exeter, UK22 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We booked a tour through Invitation To View, so we were shown around the ground floor of the house and the garden by the owners.
The garden is absolutely beautiful and the views over the river are spectacular. This was all finished off with a delicious cream tea.
Well worth the trip.
The garden is absolutely beautiful and the views over the river are spectacular. This was all finished off with a delicious cream tea.
Well worth the trip.
Written 14 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much did it cost for bed & breakfast?
What were you given for breakfast?
Written 21 December 2015
Hi, its about £90 per night for a 2 person room with breakfast.... you can pretty much order (the evening before) what ever you want for breakfast; although the "Egg's Benedict" or "Chorizo/tomato + poached egg" options are amazing!
You can book and check further reviews via Airb&b (search under Wembury, South Hams and then look for the "Stunning views" property).
Written 29 December 2015
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