Welcome
Our next meeting is on 3rd July 2025.
Visit to Great Ambrook Italian Garden, Ipplepen.
Now fully subscribed
The Harberton and Harbertonford History Society (aka H3S) encourages the study of the local history of Harberton Parish and the surrounding County.
There are approximately 5 meetings with speakers each year and at least one field excursion. Meetings take place in Harberton or Harbertonford, or via Zoom – particularly in the colder months. Details of talks can be found in the Programme.
Members of the Society have gathered information on the past history of the villages, personalities and the Parish including the preparation of historic walks around both Harberton and Harbertonford. The Society is making collections of photographs and some artefacts and have embarked on an oral history project to build an archive of first-hand histories in both villages. We are in the process of making a film about Harbertonford Mill using the information obtained from participants in the oral history project. We hope to go on to make more short films about other aspects of life in our villages.
The Society is keen to receive photographs/articles/family records for our archives, thus building a valuable local history research resource. If you have anything that might be of historical or cultural interest, please get in touch using our contact page.
Our Next Meeting
Tour of The Italian Garden, Great Ambrook, Ipplepen
Thursday 3rd July 11:00
A guided walk around the Italian Gardens on Thursday 3rd July at 11am.
Completed in 1912 for Arthur Smith Graham, the garden inspires everyone who visits. Influenced by the Edwardian fashion for Italianate gardens, it takes a more informal, picturesque design approach suited to the Devon landscape.
The garden includes a number of buildings and structures of unusual design which are integral to the experience of the garden – the long pergola, the observatory at the summit of the garden, the swimming and plunge pools, rills, walkways and tennis court. Despite decades of neglect, the garden remains remarkably close to its original design because of the survival of the original layout and features.
The visit takes approximately two hours and is led by one of their knowledgeable volunteer guides who will share fascinating stories about the history of the garden, its original owner and architect, and their restoration plans.