Stunning Exmoor farm gardens will open their gates to visitors this summer

Four stunning on farms in the wilds of Exmoor will be open to the public this summer to help raise money for charity.

The Brendon Farm Gardens event will see the four farms in and around the remote North Devon village open their garden gates to visitors on the May bank holiday weekend of Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4 as well as Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5.

It is a rare opportunity for visitors to learn more about local farming and wildlife while helping to raise money for the National Garden Scheme, which has been funding health charities for almost 100 years.

The gardens in Brendon are some of the farms that date back to the 17th century, with holdings in the area recorded in the Domesday Book.

Above: Brendon Barton Farm is home to the Tippbarlake Exmoor pony herd. Credit: Brendon Barton Farm

The farms taking part are Higher Tippacott Farm, Hall Farm, Barn Farm and Brendon Barton Farm, which 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 the moor when they visit the gardens.

The Brendon Barton garden 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.

Above: The garden at Brendon Barton Farm, one of four which will be open to the public this summer for the Brendon Farm Gardens event. Credit: Brendon Barton

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.”

Above: Reclaimed stone and vintage farm implements are a strong feature of the garden at Brendon Barton Farm. Credit: Brendon Barton

Features of the garden include dynamite scarred stone that was blasted out following the devastating 1952 Lynmouth flood, granite window mantels from the former Lynton Castle Hotel, WWII bomb shells, found on Brendon Common, pillars of Victorian granite farm rollers, vintage gates and flower filled milk churns.

During the open garden event, Higher Tippacott Farm will also be offering light lunches with quiche, salads, homemade cakes and Devon cream teas.

Above: Higher Tippacott Farm will be offering light lunches and cream teas during the Brendon Farm Gardens event. Credit: Higher Tippacott Farm

All four gardens were also recognised in the Devon Wildlife Garden Awards in 2025.

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Above: Barn Farm at Brendon will be taking part in the Brendon Brendon Farm Gardens event. Credit: Barn Farm

Maria added: “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.”

Above: Hall Farm is another historic Brendon farm taking part. Credit: Hall Farm

The gardens can be found one mile south of the A39 coast road between Porlock and Lynmouth.

Tickets can be booked for the May and July dates at https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/30224/brendon-gardens