Plan your visit
Getting here
50.72640, -3.53084
About NORTHERNHAY AND ROUGEMONT GARDENS
Northernhay Gardens are located in Exeter, Devon, England, on the northern side of Rougemont Castle. They are the oldest public open space in England, being originally laid out in 1612 as a pleasure walk for Exeter residents. The gardens are Grade II listed in the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, and are maintained by Exeter City Council.
Read more on Wikipedia →Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- ☕Exeter Phoenix Cafe Bar — a good base for a longer summer day out
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
- ☕Exeter Phoenix Cafe Bar — a good base for a longer summer day out
Good to know
- 🐕Dogs welcome
Best for
Wildlife
Very strong match
Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — House Martin, Robin, Herring Gull +79 more · last seen 2026; Birds — House Martin, Robin, Herring Gull +79 more · last seen 2026
Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Silver Fish, Eristalis tenax +51 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Silver Fish, Eristalis tenax +51 more · last seen 2026
Heritage
Strong match
Historic site
Foraging
Good match
Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Easy access
Good match
parking, toilets
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶Walking
16 signed routes nearby · 5 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Walking
Two Counties WayWalking route90 km
A long distance walk of 56 miles (90km) from Taunton to Starcross on the Exe estuary.
Exeter Green CircleWalking route
Exe Valley WayWalking route
Devonshire Heartland WayWalking route
Dunsford to Exeter WayWalking route
Prison Lanepublic footpath · 96 m
🚴Cycling
75 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Cycling
Exeter LCN E1Cycling route
Route E9Cycling route
Exeter LCN E2Cycling route
National Cycle Route 2 Axminster to DawlishCycling route
Exeter LCN E12Cycling route
Exeter to Okehampton LinkCycling route
Wildlife to spot
Photos
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Useful places within 5 km
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