Gurney House, Nainital, Uttarakhand India

Gurney House was the residence of the famous British hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett. After the demise of Jim Corbett, this beautiful house was sold to Mr. Sharda Prasad Varma. Presently, it is owned by Nilanjana Dalmia, the granddaughter of Varma. The owners welcome all the fans of Jim Corbett to see the heritage property, strictly by prior appointment. This house was built in 1881, and still contains some of Corbett’s possessions, such as trophies, African drum, boat, fishing rod, books, and furniture.

Jim Corbett’s home in Nainital, Gurney House is a 10 minute walk up the hillside from The Naini Retreat (Ayarpatta Slopes, Mallital, Nainital). Unlike his winter home at Kaldhungi which is now a well preserved museum and managed by the government, Gurney House has a lived-in feel even now. The house was sold to the present owner Dalmias’ granparents (Mrs and Mr SP Verma) when Corbett moved to Kenya. The Dalmias live in Delhi and visit their heritage property.

I visited Gurney House on a rainy day in July. It was still drizzling, but the caretaker Ganesh Joshi was all smiles. He showed us around the property, including the private museum that showcases the life and times of Jim Corbett and his sister Maggi Corbett. This house has a different feel from the Jim Corbett Museum at Kaladhungi, just 37 km downhill from Gurney House. It is not as huge as the Kaladhungi home, but the natural surroundings are amazing. As I unlatched the gate to Gurney House, the garden in full bloom, against a setting of rhododendrom (Buranaz in Kumaoni dialect), Angu, Tilaunj/Kharsu trees got me spellbound. I walked in with not a soul in sight. I even spotted a leech before the caretaker, Ganesh Joshi appeared to familiarize me with the place.

Come to the Ansel S. Gurney House for a unique shopping and dining experience. In a picturesque country setting stands the historic house, the oldest part dating back to the 1700's. Later becoming a tavern and stagecoach stop in the 1800's. The Gunschel family purchased the house in the 1930's. In 1976, after raising three sons here, the Gunschel's opened their home as a gift shop and restaurant. Over the years, the gift shop expanded throughout the house including all eleven rooms each with a different theme. The business is run today by the youngest son, Jon, and his wife, Debbie, carrying on the tradition of finding new and different items from near and far.

Please join us for lunch in Ansel's Cafe - offering a warm fire in winter, screened porch in spring and summer or an ever-changing garden view anytime of the year. As always, you are welcome to stroll through our extensive gardens that surround the house.