AFTER the long wet winter, the National Trust property, Castle Drogo at Drewsteignton’s rhododendron garden is bursting into colour following vital conservation work and visitors can now stroll through the new paths and admire the vivid plants and other spring flowers such as daffodils, camellias and bluebells carpeting the garden floor.

For those who find accessing areas such as the garden or wider Drogo estate difficult, there is now a "tramper", an all-terrain mobility scooter, available to hire as part of the Countryside Mobility South West scheme.

The tramper route takes in some of the most fragrant parts of the garden including the azalea path and rose garden.

Paths have also been upgraded on Piddledown Common so the tramper can get people to the popular Hunters Path to admire the views out over Dartmoor and down into the Teign gorge.

To book the tramper, telephone on 01647 433306 and there is no hire charge.

As part of the winter work in the garden, the garden team have upgraded the paths around the formal garden to make a new dog-friendly route.

The path goes past the Bunty House with its own miniature garden, into the orchard and rhododendron garden and back along Mr Drewe’s path overlooking the river.

Carol who recently visited Castle Drogo said: “I’ve been coming here for years and it’s been great to be able to walk around the garden with my dog.”

The garden is open every day from 10.30am until 5.30pm.

Castle Drogo is perched on a spur above the beautiful wooded Teign Gorge on Dartmoor, near Drewsteignton (15 minutes from the A30).

The castle was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for Julius Drewe, the founder of Home and Colonial Stores. Lutyens’ influence can also be seen in the garden, the highest owned by the National Trust standing at more than 800 feet above sea level.

The Castle is currently undergoing a five-year conservation project to make the building watertight which will last until 2017.

Along with the house and garden to visit, there is the 700 acre estate of the Teign Gorge to explore.

The Café, shop and garden are open seven days-a-week all year (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

For more information on admission prices and other details, go to: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ .

Alan Quick