Introducing Bothy Gardens. A couple’s vision to re-create a modern version of a walled garden and a Grade II* listed Bothy on the outskirts of Swindon is taking shape. Jules Gilleland and Mark Wheeler, AKA ‘The Plant Hunter’, are investing their savings and lives into a horitcultaral enterprise. They’re turning a forgotten Georgian walled garden and its historic bothy, into a vibrant haven of creativity, nature, and heritage.

Bothy gardens are located on the edge of the Burderop estate outside Chiseldon, near Swindon.

• Greenhouses
• Flood plant beds and …
• … nurseries for rare plants, including orchids, a garden library, and an atelier/classroom. After years of meticulous planning and waiting, this ambitious vision is now taking shape. It’s been a long journey for the couple who bought the site in 2021.

Dream location

‘This site is our dream location for our lives together,’ Jules said. ‘Mark is the mastermind behind the plants. He’s an award-winning horticulturist with a reputation that precedes him. As for me, I’m an established designer with a huge passion for art and design. That includes painting and creating spaces for learning. The Bothy Gardens will combine our lives and passions alongside a wholesale plant business.’

The bothy is a building that forms part of Bothy Gardens. The term comes from the Georgian and Victorian eras. Back then, such buildings, usually attached to a walled garden, were the humble homes of so-called ‘Bothy Boys’. They worked, often in poor conditions, to maintain and look after the greenhouses, gardens and grounds of stately homes. They were servants and didn’t have the status of the head gardener. He’d direct their daily tasks and would have had his own property within any estate.

In this case, the bothy fell out of use for many years. When Jules and Mark purchased the property, it had lain abandoned for over 20 years. The bothy will become their dream home. And the surrounding gardens will undergo restoration to their former glory.

The Victorian greenhouse sat marked for demolition. It was on the brink of collapse, tangled in vines and brambles, with a pair of unruly fig trees bursting through the shattered glass. But, where others saw ruin, Jules and Mark saw potential. As we speak, the greenhouse is being restored. It’s destined to become both Jules’s creative studio and a sanctuary for propagating rare orchids. But that’s merely the beginning.

To get to this point where we can now start to plan the future of Bothy Gardens has required so much hard work,’ Jules said.

Emotional investment in introducing bothy gardens

We’ve put our hearts and souls into this project,’ Jules said. ‘And we’re committed to preserving the heritage of this place while infusing it with new life. We want to share Bothy Gardens with others who share our love for gardening, art and the simple joys of nature.’

Mark already has an established plant nursery in North London but has always dreamed of owning a walled garden. He’s well known in the gardening world for his encyclopaedic knowledge and love of plants. In particular, rare breeds/species, such as:

• Schefflera Rhododendrifolia (Umbrella tree),
• Ruscus Hypoglossum (spineless butcher’s broom) and …
• Salvia Oxyphora (Fuzzy Bolivian Sage)

Vision

My vision for Bothy Gardens extends beyond restoring a historic space. It’s also about creating something unique. A living legacy of rare and extraordinary plants,’ Mark explained.

‘I’ve spent years collecting and cultivating plants that are often overlooked or forgotten. Here, within the walls of this garden, I see an opportunity to build something that will outlive us. A sanctuary where rare species can thrive and have future generations appreciate them.

It’s about more than a business. It’s about preserving and sharing the beauty and diversity of the plant world with like-minded enthusiasts. I want Bothy Gardens to be a place where people come to learn and find inspiration. And to leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural world.’

Jules is an accomplished designer who’s been running her company, Turtlewings, from Brussels, Belgium, for many years. With a background in design she has a passion for creating spaces that inspire wonder and well-being. In 2014, she founded Think with Things after winning the Open Education Challenge. That earned her a spot as one of the top seven EdTech companies in Europe. Now, Jules is thrilled to bring both Think with Things and her design studio, Turtlewings, to Wiltshire.

Wonderful Wiltshire

 The couple, who met over six years ago in Brussels, are eager to contribute to Wiltshire’s creative and cultural scene.

‘I adore the English countryside,’ Jules shared with a smile. ‘It takes me back to the farmlands of Iowa where I grew up. But unlike Iowa, you have these little villages and every turn reveals a scene straight out of a postcard. After 24 years in the bustling city of Brussels, I’m more than ready to reconnect with my roots and live in the countryside. I want to cultivate a space that blends English charm with the traditions of Iowan country living. Like my mother and grandmothers did.’

In the spirit of community, Jules and Mark recently opened Bothy Gardens to volunteers for four days a month. That came after many locals expressed an interest in discovering more and learning from the couple after following the Bothy Gardens blog and Instagram feed. Jules posts often about their work and journey so far.

By the spring of next year, she hopes to be running her first art & garden classes on the site for small groups. To find out more about the volunteering opportunities and to register an interest in upcoming classes, visit https://www.bothygardens.com/

Find them on social media

Bothy Gardens on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094533062158

and

on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bothy_gardens/