Straight out of the English classics and fairy tales, this massive villa is one of Neemrana’s treasures. Gabled roofs, long glass windows, white walls and a pretty porch surrounded by myriad shades of green with little flowers of numerous colours breaking the flow of greenery.
Wallwood has a long British history behind it. Built by a Scottish Major General in the 19th century, he named this place after his village in Scotland – Blair Athol. A British couple then bought it from him after World War I and used it as a boarding house for decades. It eventually landed up with the Liptons (the famous tea makers) and since then has remained in the hands of tea companies. Matheson Bosanquet, another big tea giant owns Wallwood now.
Step in to be greeted by an original Manjit Bawa (one of India’s well known artists). Apparently he used up the time he spent waiting for a friend here by using their walls as a canvas. Old time couches, with cane work, pretty wooden mantles and fireplaces, neatly done up archways, ventilators and doors – all absorb you into this Olde English fairy tale mood.
The rooms are simple, spacious and exclusively done up, retaining the Victorian India look. Undoubtedly antique furniture, with intricately carved cots and side-boards are embellished with tribal print duvets, spreads, cushions and matching rugs on the floor. The whiteness on the walls occasionally breaks with framed paintings and photographs that try to hold back the old time feel.
Sim’s Park, the jewel of Coonoor, is unbelievably close to Wallwood. It is a small botanical garden with untold species of flora. There is also the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Lamb Rock, Dolphin’s Nose and such other classic view points in Coonoor to keep you busy.
Apart from these tourist spots, Wallwood has only relaxation to offer. The weather is beautiful especially during the summer months when the city is buzzing with tourists. Cuisine is uncomplicated, with comfortable Indian and continental dishes to choose from depending on your likes and preferences.
Wallwood garden promises to be a leisure paradise!
Stay
Rooms are unpretentious with large spaces, high ceilings and long glass windows letting in unobstructed natural light during the day. They all have king size double beds with carved wooden cots and matching side boards. Ikat (tribal print) bedspreads, duvets and matching pillows accentuate the feel with a strong Indian tinge. Colourful rugs on the floor help keep the room warm and go well with the flawless white walls. Occasional black and white photographs and paintings that hang framed on walls have a lot to speak about the rich history of Wallwood.
There are three categories of rooms, eight in all. The standards are the budget rooms, deluxe are a bit larger in size offering beautiful views of the lawns and hills and the suites are spacious accommodating four people easily.
The sit outs, library and the fireplace in the common area are the lazing spots other than your room. If you are a nature lover or an extrovert, you can make good use of these spaces too!
Dine
The long dining area looks like the most striking space in the entire villa. It has huge wall-to-wall glass windows on one side allowing a lot of natural light into the dining room. On one corner of the room is a huge wall-to-wall day bed with lots of long bolsters. Just in case you feel like you have to scrape yourself out of your chair after a sumptuous memorable meal, you might want to just take a short nap here. On the other side of the room lay tables for four – simple and neat. Endless cups of tea will be the norm everyday here. The flavour and freshness is very appealing.
There is another dining room, for those who want to have a nice long family evening, with a huge eight seat table.
The food is simple. They offer both south India cuisine and continental dishes. Breakfast is complimentary. Lunch and dinner are by arrangement. Both vegetarian and non vegetarian options are available.
There is really not much in terms of activities here, the place encourages you to relax and rejuvenate rather than be adventurous.
Coonoor of course is a much raved tourist spot, so it is worth doing asight-seeing tour for a day to check out the charm of the Nilgiris. Everything here dates back to British era.
Sim’s Park is a rare botanical garden with a small lake in between – it was developed back in the late 1800 and has some of the rarest species of flora including include magnolia, pines, tree ferns, and camellia.
There are some classic view points – Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose. A few falls – Law’s falls and Catherine’s falls.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway that connects Coonoor with Ooty and Mettupalayam is the main crowd puller – it is now acclaimed as a world heritage sight, so don’t miss it!
Bird watching is a popular pastime in Coonoor, as the area boasts of a large variety of species like cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiri verditer, etc.
Ooty is less than an hour away, with lots of tourist sights to offer.
The villa is a 14th century building that has changed quite a few hands in the last century. Built by a Scottish General, it has all the features of a typical Victorian India feel to it. Neemrana – like they promise, have been able to capture time, preserve it beautifully and present it as an experience to its guests.
Apart from that, the local cuisine is a high point here. Even though travellers have other options, favourite one still remains local Tamil cuisine.
Like all the other Neemrana properties, Wallwood too is very keen on saving water. There are boards with messages in all rooms to request guests to save water by reusing towels and bedsheets. They also have ‘Forest Essentials’ (an Indian herbal product company) products in the bathrooms.
What’s Hot!
- The greenery around, beautiful flowers and cheery butterflies.
- The house is fantastically maintained even though it has changed hands many times.
- Typical Victorian India feel – insight into their luxurious life.
- Sim’s Park, one of India’s best botanical gardens is really close by.
What’s Not!
- Nothing much in terms of activities apart from leisure and sight seeing.
- Not really a romantic hideaway, it is more like a destination for mature travellers, who appreciate the Victorian sophistication.
- Don’t think of bringing your kids here, they are sure to get bored!
Ideal For Whom
This is ideal for mature travellers who appreciate the Victorian style of living and the history of Victorian India. Not really a romantic hideout and not very apt for those with kids since the mood inside Wallwood is rather easy and languid.
When To Visit
The weather in Coonoor is pleasant. Summers (April-June) are mild, while winters (November-February) are cool. It experiences south-western monsoon rains in July-September. The best time to visit Coonoor is between the months of October and March.
How Many Days
2 – 3 days is ideal for a good relaxed Coonoor holiday, but if you would like to combine Ooty and Coonoor you might need a couple of more days just to make it relaxed and unhurried.
Things To Bring
If you are here for a relaxed holiday, the usual medical kit, cosmetics, modest clothing and comfy shoes should do well. A good book to read and an I-Pod will always come in handy. If you are travelling in the winter months, you might need light woollens since the mornings and nights tend to get a bit nippy.
Wallwood Garden is a quaint 19th century building perched on one of the ravines of Coonoor in the Nilgiri Hills.
Coonoor does not have an airport of its own. The nearest domestic airport is in Coimbatore, nearest international airport is Bangalore. Coonoor is well connected by bus with Ooty, Coimbatore, and Kotagiri.
The journey by car from Coimbatore to Coonoor is approximately 2 hours. There are two other options i.e: First – travel up to Mettupalayam by Train and then get picked up by a Wallwood cab from there. Second – there is a Blue mountain express which shuttles between Mettupalayam and Coonoor. From Coonoor railway station you can get picked up to our Hotel.
From the railway station, take the Kotari road or the Ayyappan Temple road and head straight to the ‘circle’. From there take the road to Sim’s Park, just a few hundred meters beyond Sim’s Park is Wallwood Garden.
“At Wallwood the most difficult decision you may have to make is whether to go for the room with a view of flowers, and the fruit nursery of Sims Park, or pick one with the antique four poster bed (you have to haul yourself up) and loads of ambience. There is something so romantic about telling people to meet up with you at Acacia, or Pine, or Jacaranda, etc. They are the charmingly named rooms and suites.” Hindu, metro Plus, June 2008.
