What is a bothy?

I came across one the other day. Coloured light streamed in through stained glass, the daybed invited me to take a rest, and the stove patiently waited for someone to start the fire with the wood stacked outside.

The bothy stands in the garden of Standen House near East Grinstead in south London. In the words of its designer and maker, Will Shannon, it is a space to shelter. In Scotland, a bothy is a small hut that is a refuge in the mountains. I would love one that is as gemuetlich, considered, sustainable and beautiful as this for our allotment.

Will Shannon built it from local materials – wood from the Standen estate, tiles made by hand from local clay, sandstone and bricks, all from no more than 25 miles away. The exception is the stained glass which was made by the one remaining UK manufacturer of handmade flat glass, English Antique Glass in Birmingham.

The bothy was inspired by Standen House, a preeminent work of the arts & crafts movement, designed by Philip Webb. And it was commissioned as part of an admirable programme of new art by the National Trust.

And here is what it looks like….

 

2 Comments on "What is a bothy?"

  1. It is a very large garden on the side of a steep hill. Any visitor who has climbed to the top can rest in the bothy – particularly useful when it is raining.

  2. Very nice, Brigitte, and sounds as if it is well worth a visit! I think you said that it can be reached easily by public transport. Who is the shelter for?

Comments are closed.