Burrow Farm Gardens

A mere £15 got this garden underway, a small sum of money attained from the clearing of some trees on John and Mary Benger’s dairy farm. Shadowed everywhere by her faithful Border Collie, who has reportedly overseen the sowing of every single plant and shrub, Mary began to create a very personal garden. Over the next 35 years, she continued to encroach on the farmland, no doubt to John’s dismay, and the gardens now cover 10 acres. Her enthusiasm must be catching, gardening is now very much a family business for the Bengers – both her children are in the landscaping sector and it would be no surprise if her young grandson, with his alarming ability to reel off Latin plant names, followed suit.

At Burrow Farm there’s a garden to suit all tastes, a bog garden - a miniature jungle of Skunk Cabbage, Gunnera and Ferns - cottage and terrace style gardens - very in keeping with the gentle rolling hills of the Devon countryside - and, the newest addition, the Millennium garden with its rill and Ha Ha – giving the sense that it blends right in with the fields beyond. And of course visitors shouldn’t miss the woodland walk. This is where it all began, and contains a beautiful, ancient gnarled Field maple – the garden’s heart and the inspiration for Mary’s long horticultural journey.

Burrow Farm Gardens, Dalwood, Axminster, East Devon. EX13 7ET

Opening Times:
Gardens open daily 1st April - 30th September, 10 am - 7 pm.