Testimonials

  My partner and I got a little lost on the way trying to find the designated car park, as the route we were following using Google Maps took us directly... read more to the courtyard opposite the entrance to the gardens. Signs at the courtyard indicated that this was being used as a disabled car park, and we did not pass any signs on our way in indicating where the main car park was.

We just drove into the courtyard briefly to try to find a member of staff to help us. My partner got out of the car and had a look around to try to find someone to assist, but the only person around was a lady in her front garden opposite the entrance to the gardens, who appeared to live in said house within the courtyard. My partner very politely asked if she knew where the car park was, but this individual was EXTREMELY RUDE and hostile to my partner, and shouted at her to follow the signs over and over again, which my partner tried explaining were not visible to us on the way that we entered the area. She continued being volatile to my partner, who ran back to the car in tears. We almost drove the hour it took us to get there back home instantly, as we were made to feel very unwelcome and upset.

I appreciate that the neighbour may be unhappy that people are encroaching on her quite area, especially with the current pandemic, but the gardens were open - it was the second day of the opening of the new exhibition. We were appalled by her behaviour - being kind costs nothing. I expect we weren't the first people to be on the receiving end of her abuse and I am sure that it is detrimental to the charity and all the hard work it puts into the gardens.

When we both calmed down, we decided that we would try to find the car park and enter the gardens because we didn't want to give the unkind neighbour the satisfaction of turning us away.

The gardens themselves were absolutely beautiful, so peaceful and tranquil, and the art within the gardens complimented the beautiful natural surroundings, adding a certain magic. My partner and I spent just under 4 hours taking our time to enjoy and explore all within the gardens and we found the suggested donation of £5 per adult to be reasonable.

It is a shame that our day was momentarily spoiled by one individual. I suggest that a member of staff have a conversation with this woman to identify her issues, and that for those relying on Google Maps to find this fairly hidden gem to improve signage so that the car park is more easy to navigate to, because you do not want to ask the neighbour for directions!!

  Beautiful gardens with a fascinating collection of Birch trees. Wonderful hidden pathways and sculptures to explore. Great for nature photography.
As a previous reviewer noted although there were toilets the... read more place would benefit from a cafe.
I'm sure if we lived locally we'd go there at different times of the year as I'm sure it's constantly changing.

  Beautiful, peaceful gardens. Wonderful hidden pathways and sculptures to explore. Great for nature photography. Only downside is there was nowhere to get anything as basic as a coffee. Toilets available,... read more but would have loved to have seen a little cafe there as kids were hungry and thirsty by the time we left. Would still visit again at different times of the year. Autumn is beautiful, but I bet spring would be stunning too.

  In the Stone Lane Gardens you’ll find beautiful trees (Arboretum) in an oasis of green acres. In between the trees you can find different kind of art. Some oud of... read more stone, twigs or even cuttlery.

We’ve spend some quality time in this beautiful place. You can sit on a bench or some other kind of nook (inside an egg) or just wander over the paths and little bridges. Enjoy the silence (when you were as lucky as we were, with hardly anyone there).

The only thing is (but that’s just a minor detail), when you don’t have a UK mobile, you need to have cash to pay the entrance (£5 per adult), cause you can’t pay with your bank card. More

  Sunday 28th July 19, my husband and I went to visit Stone Lane Sculpture Gardens in Chagford. Stone Lane Gardens are a spectacular 5 acre woodland and water garden... read more on the edge of Dartmoor National Park that enchants and inspires in all seasons of the year. It is famous for its National Collections of Birch and Alder trees. Stone Lane Garden is threaded with pools and streams, while gleaming tree bark in a myriads of shades are enhanced and complemented by a varied tapestry of shade-loving plants. Stone Lane Garden started life back in 1971, as a place for Kenneth Ashburner to start planting the birch and alder trees he was starting to acquire on his trips abroad as well as trees given to him by other collectors. Over his life Kenneth collected more seeds and as the plants outgrew his nursery, so he planted them out in the garden. Kenneth’s gradual and artfully planned landscaping created the framework of the garden you see today. It is a garden crammed full of unusual and beautiful trees, many of them rarely seen in the United Kingdom. Stone Lane Garden is not just a National Collection; it is a reminder of a world too precious to be ignored. Stone Lane Garden is also a sculpture garden, and every year they hold a ‘The Mythic Garden’ Sculpture exhibition, this year was its 27th celebration. It is an important showcase for West Country artists,... Sunday 28th July 19, my husband and I went to visit Stone Lane Sculpture Gardens in Chagford.

Stone Lane Gardens are a spectacular 5 acre woodland and water garden on the edge of Dartmoor National Park that enchants and inspires in all seasons of the year. It is famous for its National Collections of Birch and Alder trees. Stone Lane Garden is threaded with pools and streams, while gleaming tree bark in a myriads of shades are enhanced and complemented by a varied tapestry of shade-loving plants.

Stone Lane Garden started life back in 1971, as a place for Kenneth Ashburner to start planting the birch and alder trees he was starting to acquire on his trips abroad as well as trees given to him by other collectors. Over his life Kenneth collected more seeds and as the plants outgrew his nursery, so he planted them out in the garden. Kenneth’s gradual and artfully planned landscaping created the framework of the garden you see today.

It is a garden crammed full of unusual and beautiful trees, many of them rarely seen in the United Kingdom. Stone Lane Garden is not just a National Collection; it is a reminder of a world too precious to be ignored.

Stone Lane Garden is also a sculpture garden, and every year they hold a ‘The Mythic Garden’ Sculpture exhibition, this year was its 27th celebration. It is an important showcase for West Country artists, and is held annually at the gardens within the beautifully landscaped National Collections of Birch and Alder trees.

Amongst groves of trees, pools and streams, individual sculptures can be seen within their own natural ‘frames’. The gardens create a magical setting for this exhibition, and are a photographer’s paradise. My husband and I took loads of photographs, as the sculptures are tucked away around every nook, cranny and corner all around the gardens and are a joy to discover and find.

Whilst all sculptures were good my favorite was St Ethelreda a bronze statue of a woman with a dove and my husbands was two wooden ‘face’ sculptures one of a healer and one of a warrior, which looked liked two of his characters in his book that he is writing.

The 2019 ‘Mythic Garden’ exhibition showcased twenty artists from Devon, Surrey, Hampshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. It showcased work as diverse as clouds suspended from the trees to cast marble barn owls in media ranging from manmade materials to wood and stone. My husband and I spent most of the morning wandering around this wonderful and creative garden. It even inspired me to write a poem here called ‘Magic Lives Here’.

This inspiring garden is well worth a visit if you are in the area. More

  We spent an outstanding afternoon exploring the most beautiful andnd surprising gardens. The children ran down the paths with great excitement searching for the various sculptures. They were outstanding works... read more of art in a wonderful setting. Brilliant afternoon. More

  If you are looking for a peaceful walk through a beautifully kept mature garden this is it. Totally natural setting, trees, plants, ponds etc. Lovely to be able to... read more see and touch a fascinating array of birch and alder trees. The sculptures dotted throughout this garden just add to the interest of your walk. This is a fairly small garden, with limited additional features but totally worth the visit More

  A wonderful range of sculptures set in a beautiful peaceful slice of Devon. All we could hear was the birds, bees and other tiny creatures scurrying around.

  Gorgeous little place. It's not big, so if you want a whole day out you would probably be better off somewhere like Rosemoor. The garden was incredibly peaceful when we... read more visited, and we sat for a while in the sun watching the light play amongst...More