History of Overbeck’s

Sharpitor

The present house, originally called ‘Sharpitor’, was built by Mr and Mrs George Medlicott Vereker. The Verekers’ enjoyment of their new home soon came to an end when Great Britain declared war on Germany on the 3 August 1914. Their second son, second lieutenant Robert Vereker, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, was killed at Mons, Belgium on 25 August 1914, just 22 days into the war, aged 21.

The convalescent story of Overbeck's

In memory of Robert, Mr and Mrs Vereker offered their new home to the Red Cross Society to be used, rent free, as a Voluntary Aid Hospital for the treatment of convalescent British and Allied Troops. Sharpitor V.A. Hospital formally opened on 23 August 1915, mostly run using volunteers and supported by a constant flow of gifts, both financial and in kind, from the local community.

Spirits were kept high with home-produced entertainment including concerts, plays, boat trips and more than a few billiard tournaments were played in what later became Overbeck’s tea-room.

By the time of its closure on the 29 January 1919, 1010 convalescents had passed through 'the old home' as it was affectionately referred to by the men, and thanks to the skill and dedication of the staff not a single death was recorded.

Becoming Overbeck's

Otto Overbeck was an inventor, linguist, and art collector. Otto’s most economically successful invention was the ‘electrical rejuvenator’ that he patented in the 1920s. He claimed it could defy the ageing process if users applied the electrodes from his device to their skin.

He produced various pamphlets and published two books on his ‘electrical theory of life’ and successfully marketed the rejuvenator worldwide. The success of the product allowed him to purchase the property in Salcombe. He chose to leave it to the National Trust for everyone to enjoy, and asked that it be renamed Overbeck's.

A history of the garden

Overbeck’s garden is a 20th century creation. Edric Hopkins, the first owner, laid out much of the garden structure. After being sold to G.M. Vereker in 1913, he and his wife, who were keen gardeners, extended the garden to its present size. In 1928 the property was sold to Otto Overbeck, who continued to add rare and tender plants to an already unusual garden. Since then, each owner and Head Gardener has added their own mark, resulting in a unique and varied plant collection flourishing in this sheltered microclimate by the sea - a true garden-lovers' paradise.