Tucked below the oak trees of Niglahat, Garden Valley is an idyllic place to submerge oneself in the various shades of green. Facing the reserve forest on the mountain in front, this white and green ‘erstwhile village cottage’ has been restored beautifully. A short drive away from Nainital, this is one place which many might miss under its foliaged camouflage. The pleasant sound of the gushing stream below the house is a constant presence in the background.
Maintaining the essence of the almost 100 year’s old house, the wall textures, high roofs and wooden floorings have been meticulously refurbished. Mrs. Pavan and Nalin Seth sighted the property almost 15 years back and an initial idea of a summer home soon converted into a fulltime household. Ever since, the couple has put in immense ingenuity in making this a perfect retreat, with close attention to the self styled sprawling gardens, the artistically grown vegetables, greenhouse, a weathercock in the garden, little water holes and houses for birds, a place for the poultry and the ponies. Even with a farm like coterie of animals, guests are welcome to bring their pets as there is plenty of room to accommodate them.
Pavan and her son Akshay’s famous culinary skills are captured in many testimonials by visitors. With a love for good food, there are a plethora of organically grown fruits and vegetables; oranges, plums, asparagus, artichokes, kiwis, pepper, cabbage, lemon grass to name a few. Many fruits bottled into delectable home-made jams and marmalades.
Manoeuvring through some cow stoppers, one reaches a sunny open clearing, perfect for picnics and the soak in the winter sun.
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