Woolsery Manor

Woolsery Manor

‘Soil to gut’ sustainable farming

Woolsery, a village in North Devon, is undergoing restoration with a site wide vision bringing visitors and new workplaces to the area. The multi-pronged project involves the renovation of heritage buildings, the establishment of a sustainable Garden Farm, communal areas within the Manor grounds, a shop, post office & bakery as well as holiday lets for visitors. With this large vision, works are completed in phases. The grade 2 listed Farmer’s Arms pub and the Fish & chip shop are already open and serve exceptionally delicious dishes.

 

We have been involved with developing a site wide landscape masterplan, plant & material palette in keeping with the local vernacular. The first area to be landscaped is the Garden Farm, the larder of the kitchen, where a potting shed will serve as a propogation space as well as a dining location for visitors. The landscape here consists of orchard swales with agroforestry rows and perennial fruit shrubs, meadows, raingarden swales, a forest garden, a boardwalk crossing the rain harvest pond, cutting flower beds and ornamental borders near the potting shed. Two glass houses will give home to propogation and for more unusual plants that need a little more shelter from the North Devon wind.

Photographs by Matt Austin

Using local ingredients, harvested and grown on site, visionary chef Ian Webber has been a crucial element in bringing the local forage to the table. Josh Sparkes, Head Gardener, has elevated the growing to new heights with his knowledge on compost brewing, mycorrhizal soil cocktails & cover crops, producing fascinating, wild and healthy produce & soil.

Their duo has formed a growing-cooking partnership bringing intriguing flavours for all to enjoy.

 

Architects: Jonathan Rhind

Estate Gardener: Joshua Sparkes

Lighting design: Michael Grubb Studios

Interior designer: Hannah Lohan Interiors