History Of Homeyards
History
The Gardens were created by Maria ‘Laetitia’ Kempe Homeyard in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, and were built by Thomas Rider of Southwark, London and the designer William Sears. They were constructed on a steeply sloping patchwork of fields above the picturesque village of Shaldon. Mrs. Homeyard was the widow of William Newcombe Homeyard, the wealthy inventor and manufacturer of Liqufruta cough syrup. The garden she created is an informal terraced arboretum with a level walk along the top. Improvement work continued until 1939.
After Mrs Homeyards death in 1944 the land in her estate was auctioned with the Gardens being purchased by Teignmouth Urban District Council in 1951. They were opened to the public in 1955 .
Recently after several years of research and commitment from the Friends of Homeyards and Teignbridge District Council £317,000 funding was received from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £40,000 from Viridor Credits Environment Company. The grants paid for repairs to the Italian Garden ,restoration of the castle, reinstatement of the roof, windows and doors, creation of a small kitchenette and toilet with disabled access.
What do you do with a Liqufruta fortune? Well, Maria Homeyard completely transformed the
village of Shaldon during the 1920’s and 30’s. Not only did she build herself a ‘pleasure garden’ but she had many of the surrounding ‘Arts and Craft’ style houses built.
This A4 book tells the story of William and Maria Homeyard, their Liqufruta enterprise and how
they came to Shaldon. It includes historic photographs, revealing documents and other
illustrations. It’s available for sale for £10 at the Castle, in the village at the Post Office and the London Inn and from the Teign Heritage centre in Teignmouth.
It can be mail ordered from the Friends. Email admin@shaldonbotanicals.org requesting a copy and you’ll be sent details of purchase options which include:
• making a direct credit to the Friends account for £13 (includes P&P)
• sending a cheque for £13 to the Friends
• or requesting an electronic download for £5
All funds raised from sale of the book go to the Friends