Timeline of Burrow Farm Gardens

Burrow Farm Gardens has been created over the last 55 years through the determination and vision of Mary Benger.  The gardens has always had a family feel with son Tony Benger running his landscaping firm from the gardens and Mary is joined in the garden by grandson Michael.  

Below is a timeline of how this wonderful thirteen acre garden was created from scratch in 55 years through the determination of its owner:

1959 – John and Mary move to Burrow Farm to build up a dairy herd

1966 – Mary started to turn old Roman clay pit into garden with the help of her four young children

1974 – The garden now stretched to 4 acres and is opened for the first time just for the month of May

1975 – Garden opened under National Garden Scheme again during May

1983 – John retired from dairy farming

1985 – The Pergola Walk was built to make use of a very narrow strip of land

1993 – The current house replaced the timber and asbestos bungalow that was there when John and Mary moved to the farm.

1994 – Courtyard and Terrace Gardens created around the new house

1998-2000 – The Millennium Garden created over a period of two years.

2000 – Garden expanded further with the planting of Cornus and Azaleas around a new large pond

2002 – Traditional thatched summerhouse built to overlook pond created 2 years before

2006 – Craft Shop and Conference room built

2007 – Azalea Glade planted having removed a sea of brambles

2008 – View point walk created to provide stunning views of the garden and surrounding countryside

2009 – Anniversary Garden made to celebrate 50 years at Burrow Farm for John and Mary. The beds on either side of the sunken path are a blaze of colour during late summer and autumn.

2010 – Two new wildlife ponds created in the wildflower meadow creating a haven for wildlife

2014-15 – Over 250 wild orchids dug up from the lawn and moved to the wildflower meadow which sees constant improvement.

2015 – Major renovations to the Tea Room and the start of John Horsey Horticulture Classes at Burrow Farm Gardens

2016 – 3 new walls built in the garden including big wall at entrance of garden planted with alpines on the top

2017 – New hard paths added to the garden improving access around the garden for everyone

2019 – Renovation of the Terrace Garden with new cobbled paths and reclaimed brick edging

2020 – New Rhododendron bed planted at the top of the wildflower meadow

2021 – New Summerhouse built at top of wildflower meadow

2021 – Burrow Farm Gardens named The Nations Favourite Public Garden in a competiton run by The English Garden and NGS