Budleigh Past and Present

My photo doesn't really do justice to the rhododendrons at Bicton. I'm sure you can do better Bicton Park, just a few miles north-east of Budleigh Salterton, is one of my favourite places to visit. Its botanical gardens containing over 1,000 specimen trees and laid out to designs which include 18th century Italian and 19th century American influences are a real treat not only for keen horticulturalists but also for photographers. The deadline of 31 May 2010 is now approaching for Bicton's 2011 Calendar Photo Competition. So if you're a keen photographer you're invited to submit your photos - a maximum of three per person - for entry into the competition. A winner will be selected for each month and for the front cover of the calendar, and you are asked to suggest a proposed caption with each photo and email these along with your name, address and telephone number to info@bictongardens.co.uk (Max 8MB). The winners, as well as having their photo or photos featured ...

Bicton Park Gardens near Budleigh is an area of outstanding beauty containing a collection of trees and plants as well as an 18-inch narrow gauge railway and other day-out attractions. And since 13 May it has its own blogger. Nicholas Bestwick, who writes at http://bictonparkgardens.blogspot.com/ aims to collect together information and images relating to the Gardens, which are on the A376 road between Budleigh and Newton Poppleford. He is keen to hear from anyone who can help provide information or images of Bicton that would enhance his blog. “My grandad George Cook used to take me to Bicton when I was young,” explains Nicholas. “When I get out in the car park, even now, I still recall eating my picnic with grandad on a day when we arrived at lunchtime, enjoying the cup cakes and Kit Kats that were reserved for special occasions such as this and being fascinated by the textured vinyl roof of grandad's car. “We would explore everything Bicton had to offer - walking round the gard...