A spectacular Westcountry house and its grounds – designed by a landscaping legend – are giving people the chance to reconnect with nature and clear their minds.

South Devon’s Sharpham House, looking out over the River Dart near Totnes, is home to a host of activities, from outdoor pursuits to mindfulness retreats and courses.

The 18th century house and its acres of landscaped grounds are the base for The Sharpham Trust charity, which encourages a deeper connection with nature.

It provides a venue for educational and training events, seminars, group activities, retreats, weddings or other celebrations. It is also home to award-winning Sharpham Wine and Cheese.

But it is the peace and tranquility of the 550-acre Sharpham Estate, within a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is attracting visitors from around the country. The vision of the Trust is to create a world where people realise their potential through ‘connecting to the natural world’. It provides opportunities and educational facilities that encourage respect for the natural world, an understanding of the interconnection of life, a belief in learning through experience, creative engagement and inquiry and an acknowledgement of the value of stillness and awareness. It does this through courses and programmes including mindfulness, retreat opportunities, environmental activities, forest school, crafts, conservation and volunteering.

Sharpham has been a centre for mindfulness since the 1980s, and the practice is at the core of many of its activities.

The Sharpham Outdoors Project provides environmental activities, conservation and volunteering opportunities for groups in or out of education, as well as public events. Meanwhile The Barn Retreat’s purpose is to teach and support the development of mindfulness practice in everyday life, supported by Buddhist meditation methods.

Designed by Sir Robert Taylor in 1770, the Grade I listed Georgian Palladian villa was a family home until 2003, and is now home to the Trust.

Katie Tokus, the Trust’s Marketing and Communications Officer, said: “Over the years, Sharpham has been home to a variety of local characters, including numerous wealthy merchants, politicians, and – due to the close links with Dartmouth and Plymouth – a handful of naval heroes. The famous architect Robert Taylor was commissioned to design the house, while the great landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped the extensive grounds.

“Sharpham is not a hotel, more a special house in a spectacular setting where we hope people can feel at home and enjoy the relaxed, friendly atmosphere.”

The house has 17 bedrooms which can accommodate up to 31 guests, the Music Room which provides a social space, the Tuesday Room which is a workshop room, and library stocked with philosophical books. The dining room opens on to the garden terrace, with spectacular views over the river Dart.

The grounds are also home to the Bathing House, which dates back to the 1770s and which was created on a bend in the river, below the main house.

It was originally constructed as a small octagonal tower with three windows facing the river. The building was extended during the first part of the 19th century to create the one seen today, and was used from then on as a family home for estate workers.

There are three tenant farms on the estate, including the award-winning Sharpham Vineyard and Sharpham Wine and Cheese.

To find out more, log on to www.sharphamtrust.org or phone 01803 732747.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Nature-based events aimed at adults, children and families, including camping in the woods and foraging for wild food, are all coming up at Sharpham.

May 16 marks Sharpham’s Spring Nature Connection Day, from 10am-4pm billed as letting ‘nature be your guide to your own emotional wellbeing’.

The day includes a simple wild food lunch, fire, shelter and use of the estate.

On May 17, adults and children aged over six can explore the Dart estuary by open canoe, getting close to wildlife and accessing places that can only be reached by boat.

Two sessions, from 10am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 4.30pm, will be carried out by experienced and highly qualified instructors.

Nature’s Bounty on June 13 gives people the chance to identify and forage for foods and medicines in the spring harvest. Try your hand at seasonal wild salads and learn edible, medicinal and creative recipes.

The Sharpham Outdoors Project team is also offering groups of 10 or over the chance to learn about the estate through tailor-made walks and talks.

Throughout the summer, mindfulness retreats will be held at various dates. These include retreats themed with gardening, qi-gong, photography, walking and singing. All are suited to beginners.

Sharpham also hosts a series of mindfulness drop-ins and courses over the coming months.

For more information, the events calendar or prices log on to www.sharphamtrust.org