Greetings, garden enthusiasts! Since our last update in March, we’ve made tremendous strides at Bothy Gardens. Our journey to restore this historic gem, nestled in the Wessex Downs of Wiltshire, continues with passion and dedication. We’re thrilled to share our latest progress as we strive to return the garden to its former Georgian glory with modern twists.

Revitalising the Bothy Building

This season, the Bothy building has undergone a remarkable transformation. Our focus has been on making this historic stone cottage a livable space.

Loft Space and Roof

We’ve completed the roof, including dormers and Velux windows, creating space for three beds, a shower, and a living area in the loft. All framing and insulation are in place, and the walls will soon be lime-plastered, showcasing the original stone. The first dormer has paved the way for a lovely loft staircase, set to be built in the coming months. As I write, the dormer windows are crafted, adding character and charm to the space.

Downstairs Renovations

Downstairs, a new stone wall now separates the mudroom from the snug. We’ve added new beams to make the loft livable and restored the stone wall between the stairs and the bedroom. The master bath and dressing area have also significantly progressed with new windows, framing, and insulation. We’ve chosen a beautiful stone floor throughout the building, and the doors and windows will be refurbished and crafted anew.

Utilities and Sustainability

We’ve laid all utilities underground, installed a new septic system, and added solar panels, moving us towards our goal of being completely off-grid. We discovered a well on the property, which will be cleaned and operational in the coming months. Our aim is to be living in the old Bothy building by winter.

Temporary Living Space

While the renovations continue, we’ve made progress on the woodshed, equipping it with a toilet, shower, and new kitchen. This allows us to live on-site and continue our work seamlessly.

Flourishing Gardens and Nursery

The garden has come alive with the arrival of spring and summer. Planting has been in full swing, with rows of hedges lining most paths, pleached apple trees gracing the main path, and various rare trees and plants adorning the borders. Our vision is to recreate an edible and ornamental nursery, like in Victorian times.

Micro-Nursery and Propagation

Much of our one-acre walled garden will serve as a wholesale micro-nursery of rare and hard-to-find plants and trees. A micro-nursery is a specialised nursery that cultivates high-quality, unique, and often rare plant varieties. Many plants and trees we’ve planted will become stock plants for propagation and sale. Propagation involves growing new plants from various sources, such as seeds, cuttings, and other plant parts. This allows us to expand our collection and provide these unique specimens to other gardening enthusiasts.

Expanding Beyond the Walls

Outside the garden walls, we’re developing a diverse fruit tree orchard with over 60 fruit trees. The car park for Bothy Gardens guests is nearly complete, and we’ve finished planting a hedge along the estate fence.

Looking Ahead

We will focus on making the Bothy weather-tight with new windows and doors in the coming months. We’ll be sanding the wood of the greenhouse and painting it all to be ready to fit the glass before winter. We are also designing and preparing to construct the Bothy Library, slated for 2025, in the northeast corner of the garden. This modern garden library, plus classroom, will blend historical and contemporary resources, offering a unique blend of tools, plant specimens, and educational materials. It will be a space where novice and experienced gardeners can create, learn, share, and grow, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world and horticultural heritage.

Volunteer Opportunities

We have launched a volunteer program, with volunteer days scheduled for four days each month starting on August 22nd. Sign up for our volunteer days if you want to contribute to our project. We’d love to welcome you into the garden and share this incredible journey.