Wildside Retreat
Wildside is a site of three acres near Yelverton, thoughtfully gardened since 2004 by Keith Wiley. He was a maestro of wilding long before the style became fashionable. He has made Wildside into a masterpiece, his second in succession. Before it, he gardened nearby at the Garden House in Buckland Monachorum.
Wildside garden works in harmony with nature
Hailed by many as the most imaginative and adventurous garden in England today. Over the last 20 years this Devon garden has evolved from a flat, featureless field to a rich and complex landscape that not only offers ecological niches to a vast array of plants but creates a complete and satisfying dreamworld of rare emotional power.
Overlooking the River Tamar and beyond into Cornwall, Endsleigh, now owned by Olga Polizzi, is set in 108 acres of gardens, woodlands, follies and grottos created by Humphry Repton.
Designed 200 years ago Endsleigh was one of Humphry Repton’s last commissions and brings together a multitude of landscaping elements for which Repton was renowned. Immediately around the house there are formal gardens running down to the River Tamar. There is a picturesque dell with little bridges crossing streams, huge Gunnera leaves and wonderful picnic spots. 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.
Itinerary
Monday 11 August
From 3 PM–Arrival at Hotel Endsleigh
7 PM–Dinner with garden talk by Ben Ruscombe-King
Tuesday 12 August
7.30-9.30 AM–Breakfast at leisure
9.30 AM–Depart Endsleigh for Wildside by bus
10 AM–Tour of Wildside with Keith Wiley
12.30 PM–Lunch at The Blacksmiths Arms in Lamerton
2 PM–Depart for Endsleigh
3 PM–Tour of Endsleigh gardens with Ben Ruscombe-King
7 PM–Dinner at leisure
Wednesday 13 August
7.30-10.30 AM–Breakfast at leisure
11 AM Departure
Tour of Endsleigh gardens with Ben Ruscombe-King
Tour of Endsleigh gardens with Ben Ruscombe-King
The 100 metre long border is set atop an ornamental pierced stone wall.
Wildside Retreat
From £1180 including two nights accommodation, breakfast, dinner, lunch at The Blacksmiths Arms, both garden tours and transport to Wildside. This price is based on two guests sharing a Classic room.
