In
1893, "Mr Henry Roger Keane Oakley" became the owner
of the Dewstow Estate.Henry
Oakley, or Squire Oakley as he was known locally was a director
on the Great Western Railway (GWR), but at home, he had two main
interests. The first was the breeding of Shire Horses for which
he established a reputation for his Horses which were all names with the prefix of "Dewstow"
Mr Arthur Peach with one of the Dewstow Shire Horses. c: 1930
His
other main interest was the growing and cultivation of Ferns,
Tropical Flowers and Plants. Shortly after his arrival at Dewstow,
he embarked on the creation of a Garden which is remembered by
some of the older generation in the area as a wondrous and magical
place.
This
was a garden, the like of which is not known to exist anywhere
else. On the ground level, there were many Rock Gardens, Ponds,
Water features, Ornamental areas, Tropical Glass Houses and a
vast variety of Plants, Shrubs and Trees from around the world.
These were Spectacular, but not unique.
It
is only when you go below these gardens, and you enter the subterranean
world underneath, that you begin to understand the extent of the
vision and enormous amount of work and skills involved in creating
Gardens that were unique at the turn of the 20th Century and as
far as we know are still unique at the start of the 21st Century.
Most
of the surface gardens were filled in at various points over the
years, but excavation has shown that what has been uncovered so
far is in excellent condition. All the glass houses have long
gone, as have the ornaments and many special features around the
gardens which have been, either broken up or sold by previous
owners. The underground network is now opened up and but for a
few repairs is in good condition.
