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Little Yarford Farmhouse

Unusual 5 acre garden embracing C17 house (not open) Natural pond and 90ft water lily pond. A plantsman's garden notable for the aesthetics of its planting especially its 300+ rare and unusual tree cultivars: the best collection of broad leaf and conifer specimens in Western Somerset (link to full list can be found under Extended Description on NGS website); those trees not available to Bampfylde Warre at Hestercombe in C18. There will be a brief guided tree tour at 2.30 and 3.30pm.

Owner Info

Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse
Little Yarford Farmhouse

About Little Yarford Farmhouse

Little Yarford Farm sits comfortably on the lower slopes of the Quantock Hills facing South, East and West. While it is exposed to the South Westerly winds the arrangement of the buildings permits sheltered corners and areas. The soil is a good rich loam but many of the beds are on made up ground and raised well above the water table leading to drought problems in summer. The Ph is neutral to acid so both Rhododendrons and camellias survive comfortably in the camellia walk.

Over the last 50 years the garden has expanded away from the house. Once almost lost beneath climbing plants nature has been taken in hand and we await to see just how they have responded to a drastic pruning. Rather than a series of rooms extending from the building the surrounding garden with lawns and ponds provides a setting for it with trees and plants placed in relation to each other and the wider landscape. After 50 years or so there is a need for some degree of rejuvenation which is now very much the task in hand but offering opportunities for new ideas and approaches and spaces for new plants.

While the garden and ponds around the house might be described as an exercise in the aesthetics of planting, the two paddocks with their extensive collection of tree cultivars is a dendrologist’s dream. It contains both conifer and broadleaf, some extremely rare or unusual, with a number of named gingkho and sequoia specimens. The beech family are particularly well represented even including several Rohanii and an Ansorgii.

For those in need of re-fuelling there are cream teas and cakes and for interest a few plants for sale. Entrance for children is free and there will be a few activities for them too.

Visit https://ngs.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/05/Little-Yarford-Paddock-Tree-Collection.pdf for the Paddock tree collection list.

Visit https://ngs.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/05/Little-Yarford-Tree-List.pdf for the tree collection list.

Little Yarford Farmhouse features

Location details

Little Yarford Farmhouse,
Taunton,
Somerset,
TA2 8AN

Directions to Little Yarford Farmhouse
From Taunton on Kingston St Mary road. At 30mph sign turn L at Parsonage Ln. Continue 1¼m W, to Yarford sign. Continue 400yds. Turn R up concrete road.

Little Yarford Farmhouse openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Cream teas. Refreshments in aid of St Thomas Cothelstone.
Admission Adult: £7.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Light refreshments. Refreshments in aid of St Thomas Cothelstone.
Admission Adult: £7.00
Child: Free
Opening times 11:00-16:00

Visit by Arrangement

This garden opens for By Arrangement visits from April to October.

Please contact the garden owner to discuss your requirements and arrange a date for a group or bespoke visit.

Refreshments Cream teas.
Admission Adult: £7.00
Child: Free

Accessibility

  • Mostly wheelchair access.
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FAQs

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Little Yarford Farmhouse. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Little Yarford Farmhouse. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Little Yarford Farmhouse, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Little Yarford Farmhouse are accessible to wheelchair users.

Little Yarford Farmhouse is not explicitly a wildlife garden, but you may still find various indigenous flora and fauna.