Town Tree Nature Garden

Town Tree Nature Garden in brief...

Just one man has created this truly unique garden; Chris Burnett was born in the 17th century farmhouse at 'Town Tree' in 1940 when his parents farmed the ground with dairy cattle and pigs. Chris grew up on the farm, which at the time was just flat fields. Chris' father died in 1973 and this is when he took over the running of the estate.

Gardening had been a great passion of Chris' mother Lillian Burnett, this passion obviously left its mark on Chris, but the typically small cottage garden at the rear of the farmhouse was not what he had in mind. A non-formal landscaped garden that would be pleasing to the eye, yet friendly to surrounding nature was the vision that Chris had. No plans were drawn up on paper, no landscape designer or contractors were brought in to help, just imagination and lots of time, love and commitment have been used to create the garden that now takes up 22 of the 100-acre farm.

Chris started the major landscaping of uninspiring flat farmland in the 1970,s and this is when heavy machinery was used to dig the first of many ponds. Over the following years many trees, plants and shrubs continued to be planted, and although completely man made a natural looking garden started to develop.

This is not a story of a privileged man who was able to spend all of his time gardening to fulfil his dream; whilst continuing to run the farm Chris undertook many other jobs such as, contracting for the council, building and many others, he was even a D.J.

The garden was created and up kept in Chris' spare time, it was, and still is a hobby, but of course as many people say 'behind every great man is an even greater woman' and without the love, support and some would say tolerance of his wife Margaret who has supported him and raised their 2 daughters this epic task would not have been possible.

Many people thought Chris to be slightly mad along the way and could not understand why someone would spend so much time, money, and effort on their garden, but you can now see how all that effort was really worth it. The garden continues to grow and many additional features continue to be added. Chris always has an idea or project up his sleeve and has created such things as, a 20 ft bench with adjoining arches all made from horse shoes, a mock Tudor tower complete with weathervane, flagpole and a sound system to play church bells. These are not your average every day garden features, it takes true imagination to create such things, Chris still doesn't use any plans, no one else can visualise these creations until they are finished and in place.

The garden opened to the public in 1987 after much persuasion from many people. Now that the garden has matured and Chris' original dream can now be enjoyed and admired, his ideas don't seem that crazy after all! Whilst the garden will continue to grow and change the things that will always remain the same are the peace and tranquillity.

There is a wonderful close family that live in the heart of this amazing little piece of paradise, Chris and Margaret's daughters both married and brought their new families to live with them rather than moving away which shows what an amazing home has been created.

When you visit you will be amazed at how much has been achieved and you will want to keep coming back to see the changes and experience the peace and tranquillity that was created by one of Britain's true eccentrics.