WHEN Mark and Kate Payne opened the gardens of their home, Wood, South Tawton, for the public to see the first stage of a planned restoration programme, they could hardly have anticipated the wonderful response.
The gardens had remained unseen for 20 years, but were originally created by landscape artist Thomas Mawson when Wood was rebuilt in the early 1900s.
Hundreds of people came to view the estate and could see photographs of the original house displayed in the ornate summerhouse.
The open day was in aid of the restoration fund for South Tawton Church House and raised more than £2,850.