Shilstone House The Garden Club visited Shilstone House and Garden this month, the home of the Devon rural archive. The house was a revelation. Purchased by Lucy and Sebastian Fewick in 1997 it was an abandoned wreck but the 17C facade remained. This inspired them to recreate the house with 16C and 17C features using today's materials very largely sourced from the estate. The result is a stunning property now used as a wedding venue and family home. The Garden was well laid out and intentioned but not very inspiring. Perhaps because it was so dry. There were original fishponds (for food) now part of a cascade from a spring. Plus a walled garden, housing the wedding marque a greenhouse and just outside a veg garden. Some visited the archive and sort out records of TV villages which were threadbare. The visit concluded in the cafe with tea and cake with everyonepleased by the adventure.