Repton Retreat
In 1814 Humphry Repton visited Endsleigh and spent three days being carried around in a sedan chair, visualising the future gardens. He created a Red Book of descriptive writing and watercolours to demonstrate his ideas to the 6th Duke of Bedford. As a result the gardens were commissioned.
This spring, spend three nights at Endsleigh, discovering three gardens conceived by Humphry Repton–the last great classical garden designer. Hotel Endsleigh, Antony House and Pentillie Castle.
Repton, who had designed the duke’s garden at Woburn, completed the garden at Endsleigh in 1810. It remains one of the most perfect examples of the Picturesque style.
Repton famously prepared red linen-bound portfolios for his clients with beautiful ‘lift-the-flap’ watercolours to show them what their garden would look like before and after.
Tuesday
On your first evening at the hotel, join The Endsleigh Gardener, Ben Ruscombe-King, for drinks and a look ahead to the retreat. Ben will provide an introduction to Endsleigh and share Repton’s Red Book designs for the garden. Dinner will follow with fellow guests.
Designed by Humphry Repton, the garden at Antony, Cornwall, offers sweeping views looking out to the River Lynher. There is a formal garden full of surprises such as intriguing sculptures.
Wednesday
After breakfast, you will be taken to Antony House. Tremayne Carew-Pole, the owner of Antony, who resides at the house, will host a private tour of the gardens before they open to the public for the season. You will be shown Antony’s Woodland which is the most tranquil riverside garden specialising in magnolia, camellias and rhododendrons. This will be followed by a tour of the house itself. Lunch will be served in the remarkable dining room. You will return to Endsleigh for dinner.
The approach to Pentillie Castle from Repton's Red Book.
Thursday
After breakfast, we will visit Pentillie Castle, where the owners, Ted Coryton and his daughter, Sammie, will host the morning at their home. There will be a private tour of the house, the Repton gardens and the unique mausoleum. Lunch will be served in the dining room, hosted by Ted and Sammie, who run the estate.
In the afternoon, you will return to Endsleigh for a tour of the gardens with our Head Gardener, Ben Ruscombe-King. Overlooking the River Tamar and beyond into Cornwall, Endsleigh is set in 108 acres of gardens, woodlands, follies and grottos created by Humphry Repton. Designed 200 years ago this was one of Repton’s last commissions and brings together a multitude of landscaping elements for which Repton was renowned.
Repton’s plan was for an exciting, almost alpine terrain, with plenty of deliberately created viewpoints and a network of tantalising paths and steps, some leading up to a rockery or down to a pool.
Immediately around the house there are formal gardens running down to the River Tamar. There is a picturesque dell with little bridges crossing streams and huge Gunnera leaves. Beyond the formal gardens is the arboretum which contains unusual trees from around the world, still standing in the spots marked out with bamboo canes by the Duchess. Some of the trees are national champions.
On Thursday evening dinner is at leisure.
The programme concludes after breakfast on Friday, when we bid you farewell.
‘Humphry Repton’s secret country gem at Endsleigh, one of the finest hotel gardens in Britain’
Country Life
Repton Retreat
24-27 March
From £2190 based on two guests sharing a Classic room including three nights accommodation with breakfast each morning and dinner each evening. Lunch at Antony House and Lunch at Pentillie Castle.
A variety of larger rooms and suites are available for those who prefer a little more space.
