A popular nursery and tearoom near Ashburton has closed its doors for the final time today (July 31) after more than 40 years of trading.

Hill House Nursery and Tearooms at Landscove opened in 1981 and the family-run business has been open almost daily since then.

Owner, Matthew Hubbard took over the business following the death of his father, Raymond, seven years ago. However, he has now reached retirement age and, with nobody else in the family to take on the business, he feels it is time to stop.

‘We sincerely thank all our customers that have been visiting over many years, which have made our job more pleasurable, and we understand how unique the nursery has been for many people and staff alike,’ the nursery said. ‘Thank you for loving what we have loved doing.’

‘Special thanks must go to the wonderful people who have worked here and made it such as wonderful place,’ the nursery added.

Kingsbridge-based Classics Reclamation, which has traded from Hill House for the past ten years, said: ‘There will never be another plant nursery that could compare with the quintessential charm, romance, setting, sky, colour, peace and comfort that it brought to so many of us.’

The Hubbards were a family of horticulturalists. Raymond’s knowledge was unrivalled and he was responsible for the introduction of biological control of plants into the UK in the 60s and 70s, generating interest from Russia and MI5.

Raymond, Matthew and the nursery staff were well-respected and highly regarded for their plant knowledge and ability to propagate and grow incredibly hardy plants.

Vehicles, equipment from the nursery and tea rooms and plants and shrubs will be sold via an online timed auction overseen by Stags from August 15 – August 26.