Visits 2025
Tuesday 15th April - GREENCOMBE GARDENS, PORLOCK
An organic garden of international renown, Greencombe stretches along a sheltered hillside and offers outstanding views over Porlock Bay, Moss-covered paths meander through a collection of ornamental plans hat flourish beneath a canopy of oaks, hollies, and chestnuts, Camellias rhododendrons azaleas lilies, roses, clematis and hydrangeas blossom among four National Collections. Please note: There are some exposed tree roots, loose stones and uneven and slippery surfaces within the garden.
Monday 12th May - BRADON FARM GARDEN, ISLE ABBOTS, TAUNTON
The farm extends over several acres and is owned (and created) by Mr and Mrs Thomas Jones. It is said to be an ”inspiration and demonstration on the effective use of structure”. It’s a classic, formal garden demonstrating the effective use of structure with parterre, knot garden, pleached lime walk, formal pond, herbaceous borders, orchard and wildflower planting.
Friday 6th June - GOREN FARM, BROADHAYES, STOCKLAND, HONITON
50 acres of natural species-rich wildflower meadows with easy access footpaths. Dozens of wild floers and grasses with thousands of orchids from early June and butterflies in July. They have a small herd of Ruby Red Devon cattle and a flock of Polled Dorset sheep to graze the meadows helping to restore the ecological balance in the fields.
Tuesday 15th July - ROWDON FARM, MONKSILVER, TAUNTON
This is an old period farmhouse in a great location surrounded by farmland with beautiful views of the Quantock Hills beyond. A garden in the same ownership for 30 years but is still being constructed. There are some formal areas with herbaceous borders, yew and box hedges and a boule court. A recent addition is a south facing rockery. A 5 acre lake and smaller boggy areas are abundant with wildlife especially dragonflies. A walled terraced kitchen garden and arboretum complete the picture.
Many steps mean it is unsuitable for wheelchairs, though many of the steps can be bypassed by alternative routes.
Second visit today - Tuesday 15th July - KNOLL COTTAGE, STOGUMBER
Designed to take advantage of the views of the surrounding countryside, including a natural ha-ha with varied planting, extensive mixed beds filled with annuals, perennials and shrubs. Roses are a particular favourite with over 80 varieties. A pond is bordered by candelabra, primulas and hesperantha, willows and a pittosporum hedge. There is also a large fruit and vegetable area; a woodland area with a large variety of different trees and shrubs and a coppice planted with 750 trees, mostly ash, oak and birch. There are benches by the house and around the garden to sit and admire the views and surroundings.
Wednesday 13th August - STONE FARM, BIDEFORD
A 2 acre country garden managed by a head gardener with striking herbaceous borders, dry stone wall terracing, a white garden, a Japanese-themed garden, ‘hot’ garden and dahlia beds. The garden is being developed further. It has extensive Soil Association certified organic vegetable gardens with polytunnels and greenhouse and a third of an acre walled garden. There’s also a fruit orchard.
Monday 8th September - THE LOOKOUT, LYMPSTONE
On the eastern edge of the picturesque and historic fishing village of Lympstone, the owner/designer has endeavoured to make the house disappear back into the estuary bank, landscaping with natural materials and including numerous indigenous species in the planting scheme. A short circular walk leads you from an aea of jungly planting past banks of ornamental grasses, along the wild flower meadow’s mown paths, past a pond into a fern-filled copse and then back through wilder short-side planting to a Mediterranean-style courtyard garden. There are numerous places to stop and enjoy the extensive views and estuary birdlife and take in the salty air!
Friday 10th October - LITTLE YARFORD FARMHOUSE, KINGSTONE ST MARY, TAUNTON
An unusual 5-acre garden embracing a C17th house (not open to the public). With a natural pond and 90ft lily pond, a Plantsman’s garden notable for the aesthetics of its planting especially its 300 rare and unusual tree cultivars, the best collection of broadleaf and conifer specimens in Western Somerset. There are places for sitting in the garden around the house.