Join fruit tree expert, Tess Wilmot from Food Plymouth, in partnership with Plymouth City Council’s Green Communities team, celebrating trees in bloom as part of the Cotehele Festival of Blossom organised by the National Trust.
The free walks are organised to fit around the train times for the Tamar Valley branch line so we will be leaving promptly. Families and accompanied children are welcome.
Look out for other events in April and May as part of the Festival of Blossom 2025 up and down the Tamar Valley and in Plymouth. This project is funded by the National Trust Blossom fund.
Sunday 6 April – Blossom Walk from Plymouth railway station around Central Park | 11:00–13:00
Starting at Plymouth railway station, we will walk to Central Park through the back lanes, discovering which trees are in blossom and sharing tips on how to recognise them by their flowers. Our walk will include visiting a community orchard and observing signs of spring and the presence of wildlife.
Monday 14 April – Blossom Walk from St Budeaux railway station around Barne Barton | 10:00–12:30
Starting at St Budeaux railway station, we will drop by to say 'hello' to the Pioneers Project who have a new growing project for men at the station. We will then walk around Barne Barton, discovering which trees are in blossom and sharing tips on how to recognise them by their flowers. Our walk will include visiting Blackies Wood and looking for the fruit trees planted recently by the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest team. As well as blossom, we will be observing signs of spring and the presence of wildlife.
Tuesday 15 April – Blossom Walk from Devonport railway station into Devonport Park | 16:00–18:00
Starting at Devonport railway station, we will walk to Devonport Park, discovering which trees are in blossom and sharing tips on how to recognise them by their flowers. Our walk will include visiting the Fruiting Arboretum and observing signs of spring.
Wednesday 23 April – Blossom Walk to discover the orchard at Saltram | 11:00–14:00
Meeting outside Saltram House in the car park, we will walk through the grounds to the orchard, discovering other trees in blossom along the way and sharing tips on how to recognise them by their flowers. At the orchard, we will hear about the history and heritage of the apple trees and you can ask questions to the National Trust staff.
Tuesday 29 April – Special outing by train to Cotehele to visit the orchids in blossom | 10:00–16:00
We will be looking for trees in blossom as we travel by train, and then walking down through Calstock and along the bank of the River Tamar before going up through the woods to Cothele. We will then explore the old orchard and the Mother Orchard and picnic under the blossom! At Cotehele we will be joind by Dave Bouch who is the head gardener and we can ask questions about the history and heritage varieties of the orchards and the gardens.
Friday 9 May – Blossom Walk from Keyham railway station | 10:30–14:30
Explore the green spaces and community gardens in Keyham and its many blossom and fruit trees. Starting at Keyham railway station, we will visit the Kintsugi Community Garden, the new orchard at Knowle Avenue and trees in North Down Park, before going to Keyham Green Places and Alexandra Park. Lots of blossom to discover along the way!