British Dreams Take Root in Coorg (1864)
In 1864, a fascinating story began in Horoor, a serene village nestled in Coorg. This region, known for its misty hills, rich soil, and abundant monsoon, drew the attention of British Pioneer planters. They recognized its promise to cultivate high-quality coffee and spice. Among these visionaries was erstwhile Col. Lt. William Roland Right Wrights. Today, Old Kent Estate stands as testament to his enduring legacy.
It was a wise choice for Mr. Wright to choose this location. Near Suntikoppa, Horoor village was situated in an area that was perfect for growing coffee thanks to its excellent soil, gushing streams, and rising hills. He built an impressive home at a vantage point overlooking the valley. The striking design is based on the Tudor Revival style which gained fame during the 1800s.
This home built with terracotta mangalore tiles, wooden beams, 9-inch-thick mud walls, spacious verandas with random rubble, was crafted to withstand the intense monsoons of the Western Ghats while echoing the elegance of British countryside homes. The interiors showcased vaulted ceilings and cozy fireplaces, bringing a piece of England to the tropical setting. More than just a house, it symbolized the connection and commitment to Coorg.
By the late 1800s, coffee beans grown on this estate were shipped to London, Vienna, Paris and other parts of the wolrd where “Coorg coffee” became known for its quality and cup profile. Coffee was more than just a crop; it served as a pathway to honor and wealth connecting India’s lush hills to the elite societies of Europe.
The story of Old Kent wasn’t just about British ambition. It also tied the skills of local, indegenous people to European ways farming. Workers and their families brought their knowledge an understandng of soil conditions, rain patterns, and changing seasons. The local’s .intuition fit with the Wrights’ organized methods. This combination shaped coffee farming traditions in Coorg that last till today.
Farming Traditions and the Two-Tier System
The Wrights’ plantation thrived through a unique two-tier system. Arabica and Robusta coffee grew beneath tall trees like silver oak and jackfruit, while pepper, cardamom, and fruit trees which supported the flora & fauna. This created a self-sustaining ecosystem, with birds, insects aiding pollination and pest control. The estate produced its signature Kent Coffee, rich with spice, citrus, and earthy notes, reflecting Coorg’s landscape and generations of careful cultivation. A model of early sustainable farming, it showed how agriculture and nature could thrive in harmony.
Post independence era (1964 and Later)
Old Kent Estate traces its roots back to 1864, when col. W.R. wright, British planters in Coorg, built the Tudor Revival lodge and transformed wild forests into one of the earliest coffee estates in the region. For a century it thrived under the descendants of the wrights, until the mid-1900s when many such plantations across India went into decline after Independence. In 1964, the property entered a new chapter when the Buhari brothers from Tamil Nadu acquired it, also taking over the neighbouring Hallery Estate. It was agreed that the younger brother, Syed Abdur Rahman Buhari, would inherit Hallery, while Old Kent would remain with the elder, Syed Abdul Cader Buhari. For decades, the estate became the family’s cherished holiday retreat, a place where the second and third generations grew up surrounded by coffee fields, misty hills, and English gardens, preserving the estate as a living heirloom while maintaining its plantations of Arabica, Robusta, and spices.
In the next fifty years, these estates turned into more than just large plantations. They transformed into places full of history and a treasure trove of cherished family memories for the second, third, and fourth generations. Originally used private holiday homes rich with nostalgic memories, in 2013 the family opened up the property and welcomed curious visitors, history buffs, and nature lovers.
It was the 3rd generation of the Buhari family who reimagined Old Kent for the future, carefully restoring the 19th-century lodge, reviving the landscaped gardens, and modernising the plantations with sustainable methods. They introduced private English-style cottages within the estate, blending heritage architecture with contemporary comforts, and opened the doors to travellers eager to experience Coorg’s planter lifestyle. Today, spread across 200 acres in the village of Horoor, Old Kent stands as more than just a family estate — it is a luxury heritage coffee plantation stay, where Tudor Revival architecture, lush gardens, and the two-tier farming system coexist with agri-tourism experiences. What began with the Wrights, was preserved by the Buharis, and renewed by their heirs has become one of Coorg’s most treasured retreats, where history, coffee, and hospitality come together as a living legacy.
- Bringing Back the Architecture
The family worked to preserve the estate’s distinct Tudor Revival charm by restoring the tiled roofs, rose wood pillars, antique furnishing and large verandas all while adding modern comforts to keep the original style untouched. - Rebuilding the Plantations
The family replanted parts of the estate and revived the soil using eco-friendly methods. Consequently, while enabling the improved two-tier mixed cropping system developed by blending traditional farming approaches with modern tools, which helped them maintain the quality of coffee while making it sustainable.
It turned from a family holiday home into a luxury heritage estate that ties together past traditions and modern times while staying linked to Coorg’s culture.
Gardens, Architecture, and Agri-Tourism Today
Old Kent now stands as more than just a plantation. It serves as a heritage retreat, bringing together historical charm, architectural beauty, and natural surroundings.
The gardens stand out as one of its most admired attractions. Borrowing from European landscaping styles, adorned with English roses, bougainvillea, jacarandas, hibiscus, and sprawling lawns alongside native orchids that burst into bloom after the monsoon.
The Tudor Revival lodge still stands at the heart of the property. Its design showcases a unique piece of European architecture brought to India’s tropical setting, standing as a symbol of its roots. With high vaulted ceilings, wide verandas, and stylish interiors, it allows guests to step back in time while still enjoying modern-day comforts.
Adding to its uniqueness, Old Kent is cradled within the Western Ghats, one of the world’s top five biodiversity hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ecological treasure surrounds the estate with lush forests, endemic species, and natural beauty that few places on earth can rival. Staying here is not just an escape into history, but also into one of the richest natural ecosystems in the world.
What sets Old Kent further apart is its focus on Agri-tourism. Guests don’t just visit; they live a day in the life of an elite coffee planter.
- Walking down coffee trails and learning how cultivation works.
- Participating in pepper and coffee harvesting.
- Discovering the crop-to-cup journey of coffee at Old Kent Coffee.
- Appreciating the biodiversity through plantations grown under shade.
Tourism here goes beyond sightseeing. It becomes a deep, hands-on immersion into plantation life, offering visitors a way to connect with both Coorg’s cultural roots and the natural heritage of the Western Ghats.
A Living Legacy in Coorg
Old Kent began its journey in 1864 in Horoor village. Today, it stands as a lively heritage getaway keeping alive a legacy that’s rare in India. It tells a tale of dreams, transformation, and perseverance of how an Indian family cherished and protected the vision of a pioneer British planter, and how the land has always stayed at the heart of its character.
The estate mirrors Coorg’s larger history. It reflects European influences, stays rooted in local customs, and benefits from Indian caretaking. Its story lives not just in its buildings but also in the coffee flowers, pepper plants, and the smiles of visitors who create their own moments here.
As you walk the paths, every corner whispers stories of generations gone by. Every sip of coffee holds pieces of the past, every trail pulls you deeper into timeless traditions, and every visitor adds to a tale that is still unfolding.
At its heart lies a philosophy: “Luxury can be built, heritage is lived.” Old Kent Estate embodies this truth. Spread across 200 acres of lush coffee plantations, it is a sanctuary where time slows down, mist dances, and the monsoon’s magic lingers. Since 1864, Old Kent has stood as a place where heritage meets luxury, not just as a retreat but as a way of life , one that connects history, nature, and the art of living beautifully.
Old Kent isn’t a merely resort, it serves as a living memory of Coorg’s past blending nature, tradition, and history into one harmonious experience.
Chronology:
- 1864: Mr. and Mrs. Wright set up their estate in Huroor village and build a lodge in the Tudor Revival style.
- Late 1800s to Early 1900s: The estate grows into an important part of Coorg’s coffee trade exporting beans to Europe.
- 1947: After India gains Independence many British estates fall into decline, but this estate continues to survive.
- 1964: The Buhari Brothers from Tamil Nadu takes over the estate and works to keep it intact.
- 2010: Restoration of the The lodge is repaired, eco-conscious farming methods are introduced, and mixed-crop plantations are brought back to life. Old Kent today offers a heritage getaway. It combines Tudor-style buildings vibrant gardens, coffee grown in the shade, and hands-on farming tourism.
- 2014: Old KENT Opened up to guests
- 2023 : Hallery Restoration
