Escot Fantasy Gardens, Maze and Woodland

Escot is a gentle place, ideal for a really relaxing day out.

Two otters live here - Toffee and her new mate, who has just arrived from the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth.  Her previous mate, shown in the photos here, died recently of old age.

The otters live in a very large and well-planned pen, with a water cascade from a rootery down into a pool, and lots of shrubs to hide in.  Their holt is at the far end of the pen, in the barn.  They are easily able to retire from public view if they wish, since if they go down to the far end of the pen, behind the shrubs, they cannot be seen. The pen contains a wide variety of vegetation - water plants, short grass, long grass, various wildflowers, small and large shrubs.  The otters make use of the whole area during the day  It is a good example of how a pen can be both interesting to the animals and pleasant to look at.  The otters are fed at 11am and 3pm by the falconer, who gives a short talk at this time. He also does a birds of prey flying display in summer.,

There is a lot to do at Escot, although I have always concentrated on the otters.  There are  wild boar, a Victorian walled garden, children's playground, eight acres of wetlands and wildfowl. There is a large woodland walk with items of interest around it, and a maze.  There is a large craft shop, and a good coffee shop and restaurant, with home-made food.  As far as I can tell, the site is flat and access is easy.  There are various dogs, cats and peacocks that live there that may greet you.  The formal gardens and woodland are being overhauled by Ivor Hicks, the well-known gardener.   Near the entrance is a water plant and fish centre in the 19th century stables, which also offers a water garden design service.  There is a kind of colony of craftworkers living as Escot, such as an art blacksmith.   Each time I visit, something new has been added without being overbearing. The whole is harmonious and has a gentle, friendly atmosphere.  I believe the 18th century Manor House is available for weddings, and there are conference facilities.  Escot offers many more things - see their link for details.

Escot is signposted off the A30 near Honiton in Devon - follow the brown signs.  It is close to Otter Nurseries, which despite the charming picture conjured by its name, is actually a large garden centre.

I last visited the park in May 2004.