As the year draws to a close, most gardeners are taking a well earned rest. But in the Lewis Cottage garden life is busier than ever. From gathering leaves and moving pots to planting hedges and ordering seeds, there are no end of jobs to be done in December, says Richard Orton.

In these uncertain times, the rhythm of the gardening year can be very comforting. Even in the depths of winter, Richard Orton finds plenty of therapeutic jobs to keep him busy at Lewis Cottage, both inside and out, such as sorting seeds, potting up plants and pruning trees and shrubs. He also suggests some gardens to visit in February.

Tom Davies describes a level circular walk of 4 miles around the National Trust’s Killerton Estate at Broadclyst, near Exeter.

Tom Davies takes us further afield to Dartmoor for a circular walk of 7.2 miles around the village of Manaton.

Tom Davies takes us along a circular route of about 5 miles from Coldridge to Nymet Rowland and back again.

Favourite Local Walks 11 - Another circular walk in the Upper Creedy Valley

Nancy Murgatroyd visited Lewis Cottage Garden near Spreyton, which reopened to the public over the May bank holiday weekend.

Continuing his series about his favourite local walks, Tom Davies describes a one way route from Kennerleigh to Sandford of 5.3 miles.