North Devon farmers open historic gardens to the public to raise money for charity
The public will be able to visit four stunning gardens at farms on Exmoor this summer where they can learn more about local farming and wildlife while helping to raise money for charity.
The gardens in Brendon, North Devon, are some of the farms that date back to the 17th century, with holdings in the area recorded in the Domesday Book.
One of the gardens, at Brendon Barton Farm, has been created by Maria Floyd and includes striking links to Devon’s past, where relics of former farming life are woven among flowers and native plants to create a unique setting.
Maria said “I wanted to include in my garden, the antique agricultural tools and machinery which were once common on farms in Devon. I feel it’s important to keep the stories of these working tools alive as they are key relics of our farming history. Integrating them into the garden is a way of preserving them while also teaching people about our farming history in a beautiful setting”.
The garden at Brendon Barton Farm includes the following features:
- Mighty Devonshire shillet stone slabs, secured with hay baler chains
- WWII bomb shells found on Brendon Common
- Worn-out digger rubber tracks transformed into garden edging and steps
- Stone walls with vintage gate hinges and wooden farm gates
- Pillars of Victorian granite farm rollers once used for pancaking stones into the soil
- Flower-filled metal churns once used to transport milk
- Feeders from an original cowshed (shippen)
- Granite window mantels from the local Lynton Castle Hotel which caught fire in 1987 – the mantels were hand-carved by stonemasons from small Devon villages
- Reclaimed stone still bearing dynamite scars, that were blasted out after the 1952 Lynmouth Flood, one of the most devastating river floods in modern English history
Brendon Barton is also home to the Tippbarlake Exmoor Pony Herd, one of the largest groups of native, rare-breed Exmoor ponies, and visitors may be able to see them roaming free on Exmoor when they visit the gardens.
The other neighbouring farms taking part in the open days are Higher Tippacott Farm, Hall Farm and Barn Farm. Visitors can enjoy a light lunch at Higher Tippacott Farm, with delicious quiche, salads, homemade cakes and Devon cream teas.
The four gardens were also recognised in the Devon Wildlife Garden Awards in 2025. Money raised from the open garden days will go to the National Garden Scheme, which has been funding health charities for almost 100 years.
Maria said “As well as raising money for this important charity, we also wanted to raise awareness of the critical role farm wildlife gardens play in supporting native species. Visitors may be surprised to discover that many farms include large nature-rich gardens that help feed and nurture wildlife. Visiting the gardens is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and families to learn more about farming and biodiversity in this part of the world.”
