The Story of Bothy Gardens at our 4-year mark.

Next month it will be four years since we first set eyes on the what we now call Bothy Gardens. When we first discovered the walled garden at Burderop Park in December 2020, we felt like we had stumbled across a forgotten world.

Picture it: a historic Georgian walled garden that looked like something out of a mystery novel, complete with wild vines, broken windows, and a stubborn old greenhouse that refused to be anything less than majestic despite its age. Most would have probably walked away, but we saw something different!

With stars in our eyes and dreams of rare plants and refurbishing the bothy & greenhouse dancing in our heads, we immediately made a bid. We thought, “We will be living here in a year; how hard can it be?”—a line that would haunt us for the next four years. By the time we had the keys in our hands in July 2021, after mysterious solicitor delays due to the pandemic, we’d already learned our first lesson: Patience.

Lesson #1: Everything Takes Twice as Long as You Think. Or Maybe Four Times as Long.

Fast-forward to April 2022, when we finally submitted our plans to begin restoration. The planning process was supposed to take eight weeks, so we told ourselves, “Okay, let’s be realistic—it’ll probably take a few months.” In July, we had request after request, and more months went by with us wrestling with bat studies, newt studies, and soil surveys that revealed more about the local fauna than we’d ever wanted to know; twenty-one months later, we had our approval and a whole new respect for English bureaucracy.

Somewhere along the line, we even found ourselves joking that the bats were probably filling out the paperwork themselves.

By the time the permission came through in November 2023, it was an anti-climax after so much waiting. However, we were more than happy to take the next steps!

The plan submitted in April 2022 for the old Bothy restoration. *(In the final planning, the large dormer was changed to two smaller ones)*

Lesson #2: Don’t Let Optimism Get in the Way of Reality.

In February 2024, we finally broke ground on the Bothy itself. By that time, we’d already been pouring our energy into the garden, hacking away at brambles and coaxing life back into the neglected soil. But construction brought a new set of challenges. We hired a young builder who was eager to build his portfolio. We thought, “Great! Fresh ideas and enthusiasm.” Spoiler alert: his “portfolio” turned out to be our nightmare.

After five months, we were left with half-done jobs, pipes that led to nowhere, and a roof that might as well have been made of Swiss cheese.

It took us another four months to repair his handiwork, redoing the roof, septic system, plumbing, and water lines.

April 2024 building work is going slowly

Lesson #3: When It Comes to Builders, Enthusiasm is No Substitute for Experience & Trust.

We finally rebuilt our team, bringing in skilled tradespeople who valued precision over shortcuts. We learned that if you want something done right, you’d better be there to watch every step—preferably with a hot cup of tea in hand, ready to put on your best “stern gardener” face if needed.

Wood guys placed the first door in September 2024

Lesson #4: The Garden Has a Mind of Its Own (and It is Planning to Outlive You)

Gardening in England is its own peculiar mix of hard labour and ritual. If the Bothy has taught us anything, it’s that nature will do what it wants. We’ve spent countless hours taming the garden, only to have it revert to a jungle overnight. We even joke that the garden is like an old English butler—resistant to change, proud of its quirks, and subtly reminding us who’s really in charge.

Once we could be on-site daily, taking care of these out-of-control weeds was much easier right when they popped out.

Pruned fruit trees by volunteers and new lighting on the entrance wall. September 2024

Current Update: We Have Windows, Doors, and a Surprisingly Well-Dressed Garage!

As we approach the four-year mark, we’re thrilled to say that the Bothy now has all its windows and doors installed. The master bathroom, once an old garage scheduled for demolition, now sports fresh cedar cladding and gorgeous windows looking out over the ravine; it is ready to serve as a cosy, unexpected sanctuary.

And the greenhouse?

After countless hours of sanding, painting, and whispering apologies to the stubborn grout and glass panes, it returns to its Victorian glory with a fresh coat of heritage paint or 5 coats.

Top 5 Things We’ve Learned Along the Way

Bureaucracy Moves at the Speed of a Slug. Embrace it or go mad. Keep a book handy while you wait for permissions—and maybe a flask.
Good Help is Hard to Find (But Worth the Wait). If you’re restoring a historic property, don’t cut corners on your team or your roof—definitely not the roof.
Gardens Have Their Own Personalities. Ours is a bit of a diva. Some days, it blossoms with colour and charm. Other days, it’s a thorny mess; we swear it’s laughing at us.
Keep a Sense of Humor (and a Stiff Drink Nearby). The journey is full of ups and downs. You’ll need both patience and a bit of gin to get through it.
Celebrate Every Little Win. Even if it’s just a door finally closing properly. Restoration isn’t about instant gratification—it’s a slow, beautiful journey, one small triumph at a time.

A Final Note for Dreamers Like Us

Our journey with Bothy Gardens has been anything but straightforward, but that’s exactly what makes it special. We’ve learned that restoring a garden and a historic property isn’t just about fixing walls or planting flowers. It’s about learning to live with quirks, adapting to unexpected challenges, and finding joy in the smallest milestones.

So here we are, with the windows and doors finally in place and the greenhouse getting closer to welcoming its first orchids and new design projects. There’s a long way to go, but we wouldn’t trade it for the world. Thank you for being part of this journey with us, and stay tuned—there’s always something new blooming at Bothy Gardens.

A Timeline for Readers Who Love the Details

December 2020
Discovery: Found Bothy Gardens during the pandemic and immediately put in a bid, dreaming of a creative, horticultural retreat.
July 2021
Keys Received: After months of waiting, we finally received the keys to Bothy Gardens, though due to solicitor delays, the official ownership wasn’t finalised until November 2021.
November 2021
Architectural Planning: We began working with an architect and are excited to start transforming the space.
April 2022
Planning Submitted: We submitted planning applications and Hope for approval in 8 weeks. However, the process stretched to 21 months due to design changes and conservation requirements.
May 2022
We worked on paths, plant beds, and clearing walls. While we waited for approval, we dedicated time to garden restoration.
June 2023
Planting Began: We began by planting a wildflower field in one of the prepared plant beds, while hedges and fruit trees were planted until the end of the summer.
November 2023
Planning Approved: We finally received full planning for all applications, with only a few conditions.
February 2024
Construction Starts on Bothy Building: Finally received planning approval and started structural work on the Bothy building.
June 2024
Learning the Hard Way: He hired a young builder but soon realised he needed to be the right fit. After five months of issues, we had to redo several aspects of the work, including the roof, septic system, plumbing, and water lines. Learned the importance of careful oversight and choosing the right team.
July – August 2024
Building the Right Team: Rebuilt our construction team with skilled and trustworthy tradespeople. Progress resumed, and we took an active role in overseeing the work to keep things moving forward.
October 2024
Major Milestone – Windows and Doors Installed! After countless hours of work, all windows and doors are finally installed, marking a significant step in securing the Bothy for the future. We also completed the cedar cladding on the master bath, repurposing an old garage that was once slated for demolition.
December 2024
Greenhouse Glass to Come: We have finished sanding, refurbishing, and painting the greenhouse, preserving its Victorian charm while creating a vibrant space for orchids, epiphytes, and rare plants and a design studio for Turtlewings.

Four Years, Two Dreamers, and One Walled Garden