Transforming run-down walled garden into dream home

The couple say they embrace the quirks and surprises of reviving this historic gem

A couple who took on an ambitious project to restore a forgotten Georgian walled garden into their dream home say the place "feels alive again".

Jules Gilleland and Mark Wheeler stumbled across the Grade II listed property on the Burderop estate near Swindon, Wiltshire, during the height of the pandemic.

They soon conjured a vision to restore the walled garden to its former glory and start a rare plant wholesale nursery, a creative workshop studio, a garden library and Victorian greenhouse.

Bothy Gardens will be opening its gates for public open days in the early spring, inviting visitors to explore the ongoing restoration and attend horticulture classes.

Estate workers would once have slept in the loft area of the bothy, while the ground floor was used for gardening purposes

The pair said upon discovering a disused bothy in the 1731 Georgian walled kitchen garden, they became determined to restore the structure and make it their home.

A bothy is a basic outdoor shelter which were often used as the sleeping quarters of gardening staff on country estates in the Georgian and Victorian eras.

"Think jungle-level brambles, crumbling walls, and a greenhouse from a post-apocalyptic movie," Ms Gilleland said.

"For most, it would've been a hard pass, but for us it was love at first sight."

The disused bothy will be transformed into a contemporary living space that sensitively retains the original design and feel

But the fairy tale dream did not come without its obstacles.

Planning approval alone, initially estimated to take eight weeks, stretched to an eye-watering 21 months due to sensitive conservation requirements on the listed building.

"It's been very hard, but it's also been the most rewarding adventure we could imagine," said Ms Gilleland.

Mr Wheeler said: "It felt like the house was finally exhaling after holding its breath for decades. Every day we love it a little more."

This is what the overgrown property looked like when they first got the keys in 2021

The couple intend to preserve the site's unique history by saving scraps of the past- including the original stones, bricks, and metal guttering, as well as rejuvenating the soil that has not been touched in decades.

Mr Wheeler, affectionately known as "The Plant Hunter" for his expertise in rare horticulture, explains: "It's a place that feels alive again.

"As much as history, it's also about the future - teaching people to grow, connect, and find inspiration in the natural world.

"If there's one thing we've learned, it's that gardens and old buildings have a mind of their own.

"You're not just restoring them, you're building a relationship," he added.

The couple say Bothy Gardens "is not just a project, it's a passion"