A Safe Future For Stone Lane Garden

Just a couple of miles to the north of Chagford lies a spectacular woodland and water garden famous for National Collections of birch and alder trees, which last year was voted ‘Best Garden to Visit’ in the south-west by Gardeners’ World magazine readers. Many local people already know and love Stone Lane garden, also renowned for the annual summer-long ‘Mythic Garden’ sculpture exhibition. Sadly its creator and co-owner Kenneth Ashburner died last year, but a charitable company is being formed to ensure this magical place has a secure future.

Kenneth Ashburner was a modern-day plant hunter whose passion for birch and alder trees took him all around the Northern Hemisphere in search of wild species. He gathered seed to grow at Stone Farm, and so the garden began life 40 years ago. As the trees developed, Kenneth’s wife June, an artist, saw their potential as a backdrop to outdoor art, and so the annual ‘Mythic Garden’ sculpture exhibition was born. June continues to run the exhibition, which opens to the public on May 8^th this year. Chagford resident Paul Bartlett, who worked with Kenneth for ten years, takes over as Garden Manager, and also runs the adjacent tree nursery.

A season ticket in the form of a ‘Friends of Stone Lane’ scheme is being introduced that will be ideal for locals, enabling holders to visit as many times as they like over a 12-month period, and also offers other benefits. To register as a ‘Friend, email mary.gretton@sky.com or apply via the website. Other events are being planned, so do check the website regularly for updates. We look forward to welcoming you this year.

Stone Lane

Garden – Sculpture – Nursery

Chagford. Devon TQ13 8JU

Open every day, 2-6 pm. Visits at other times, schools and groups, very welcome by appointment. Tel: 01647 231311.  www.stonelanegardens.com