Lee Ford is a small country estate close to the sea near the picturesque town of Budleigh Salterton. It began life as a small farm and developed through the centuries. The original Queen Ann house was extended in both the 18th and 19th centuries, the pillars and two single storey Palladian wings being added about 1840. Some of the internal plaster work is similar to that found in the India Office, Whitehall, and dates from about 1867. The conservatory, designed by a Devon architect, Jonathan Rhind, was built in 1990 to replace a smaller one. The house has been in the Lindsay-Fynn family since 1946, three generations have enjoyed its delights.



The Garden has three distinct areas, something for everyone. The traditional formal garden next to the house was much altered in 1997. The design briefing was to lose the straight lines and pathways and create curves and vistas leading the eye to the distant woodlands resulting in a more harmonious blend. It now has a large collection of plants - herbaceous, perennials and shrubs. A bog garden was created when an underground stream was discovered during the earthmoving. Gunneras, grasses and an Australian tree fern thrive here. A prominent architectural feature is the Georgian Adam pavilion where one can sit and enjoy the views over the lawns.



Another area of interest is the traditional walled garden where vegetables, fruit and flowers for cutting are cultivated. Two greenhouses within these walls are primarily used to grow and nurture the exotic pot plants for the conservatory and house. Alongside the walled garden is the enclosed herb garden growing mainly culinary varieties.



But the largest area is the woodland garden. This was developed by the late Sir Basil Lindsay-Fynn in the 1950s, inspired by the Saville Gardens at Windsor. There are numerous glades planted with rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias and azaleas. In the early Spring they are carpeted with daffodils and primroses, and later with bluebells.



A labyrinth of paths will lead you from one discovery to the next. In 1998, Toby King, previously head gardener at Powderham, was appointed estate manager. He has actively continued the programme of planting, cutting back the less interesting laurel and ponticum rhododendron so that now there is a great mixture of 30- and 40-year-old mature shrubs alongside the young plantings. He has also created a wildlife pond to attract wildlife such as frogs, toads and newts.



For details of Garden Open Days please contact Louise Winchester.





Lee Ford

Budleigh Salterton

Devon EX9 7AJ



Telephone 01395 445894



Fax 01395 441100



E-mail

crescent@leeford.co.uk