MANSION, religious retreat, conference centre, school, private house ? just some of the speculation about the varied and colourful past of the grand house in South Tawton called ?Wood?.
Through its iron gates, local people regularly used to flock to enjoy fetes and fun, including the early years of the Dartmoor Folk Festival.
However, the place has remained relatively undisturbed in recent years, until now. After some 20 years, garden lovers will have the opportunity to visit the gardens at Wood, which are in the early stages of restoration following many years of neglect.
This rare glimpse into the gardens will be made possible on Sunday, September 14, from 11am-4pm. The gardens are being opened to the public by kind permission of Mark and Kate Payne, who purchased Wood last year.
The open day is being held to raise funds for the restoration of the historic Church House, South Tawton.
The house?s new owners are now undertaking the huge task of restoring the gardens to their former glory and are also planning to recreate the walled kitchen garden.
The grade-I listed gardens were designed by landscape architect Thomas Mawson and were considered to be one of his finest achievements. He worked in conjunction with fellow architect Dan Gibson when Wood was rebuilt between 1903 and 1905 for William Lethbridge, the house later became the family home of Col. Christopher Kingsford Lethbridge, until his death in 1969.
During the open day, light refreshments will be served in the summerhouse at Wood, a small exhibition about the gardens as well as Church House will also be on show.
Directions to the house will be sign-posted from South Tawton.