History & Philosophy - Wallwood Garden - 19th Century

Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

Two hours from Coimbatore, Wallwood – earlier known as Blair Atholl – in the heart of upper Coonoor, was built over a hundred years ago by a Scottish Major General, hailing from the village Blair Athol in Scotland (the Duke of Atholl still lives in Scotland in his own castle). Wallwood was later sold to a British couple after the First World War, who ran it as a boarding house for many years. It was purchased by Liptons before the Second World War and the house has remained in the hands of tea companies – currently with Matheson Bosanquet.

Wallwood Garden - 19th Century, Coonoor Coonoor 8
A living room showcasing red coloured sofas and a coffee table with drawings on the wall - Wallwood Garden - 19th Century, Coonoor

The Mansion has retained the atmosphere of the past when tea estates had their own lifestyle! It has its own prize-winning garden of the Nilgiris overlooking a unique pomological garden. It is located two minutes from Sim’s Park, one of India’s most luxuriant Botanical Gardens, laid out in 1874 with over 1200 species of plants and many old rare trees like the Rudraksh, Paperwood, Elephant Leg, Strawberry plant etc. 

Savour the wildlife sanctuaries of Ooty, Pykara, Kotagiri & Bandipur, driving through the lush tea plantations of the Nilgiris.