Town Gardens: bringing life to small spaces in Totnes
Totnes is a town of hidden gems. Behind the medieval facades and steep hills lie secret terraces, walled courtyards, and snug patches of green. But gardening here comes with unique challenges—whether it is carrying tools up the steep incline of Fore Street or managing the shade in the narrow alleys off the High Street.
At Totnes Gardening, we specialise in these compact, historic spaces. We understand that a garden on Cistern Street has a completely different microclimate to a plot down on The Plains, and we tailor our work to suit your specific slice of town.
Understanding the Totnes Landscape
We know the geography of our town intimately. We don’t just offer generic gardening; we offer solutions for the specific quirks of Totnes:
The High Street & The Narrows: Properties here often feature historic "burgage plots"—long, narrow gardens that can be tricky to access. We are experienced in working through tight passageways to transform these hidden courtyards into quiet sanctuaries.
Fore Street & The Plains: Gardens lower down the hill often contend with damp conditions or river proximity. We know which plants thrive here, turning potential problem areas into lush, fern-filled havens.
North Street, South Street & Leechwell: The historic merchant houses and ancient pathways here often have beautiful stone walls that need protecting. Whether you are near the natural springs of Leechwell Lane or the listed buildings of Castle Street, we work with respect for the heritage of your property.
Our Town Garden Services
Clearance & Tidy-Ups Overgrown brambles, leaf-strewn paving, or forgotten corners? We will clear the chaos. Whether you have a sun-baked terrace on Ticklemore Street or a mossy backyard on North Street, we will get it ready for a fresh start.
Planting & Design for Small Spaces In a small town garden, every plant has to earn its keep. We recommend hardy, hard-working plants like lavender and rosemary for sunny spots, or climbers like clematis to make use of vertical walls in The Narrows. We focus on pollinators and scent to make even the smallest courtyard feel like a meadow.
Hardscaping TLC Totnes weather can take its toll on hard surfaces. We spruce up the bones of your garden—cleaning weathered benches, de-mossing slippery paths, and clearing gutters—so your space is as functional as it is beautiful.
Logistics & Access We know that parking on Fore Street is a nightmare and that The Narrows wasn't built for vans. We plan our visits to minimise disruption, using efficient tools and methods that work for town-centre living.
A Recent Project
Curious about what we can do with a difficult access site? Check out our latest blog post, Town Gardens: A Day Clearing a Terrace in Totnes, where we transformed an overgrown space just off the High Street. It is a great example of how we bring small spaces back from the brink.
Ready to transform your patch of Totnes?
From the top of Castle Street to the bottom of town, no space is too small for a bit of green magic. If you have a town garden that needs a professional eye, get in touch.