The question is where to go next ? There is no shortage of options, all intriguing in their own way and certainly hope to be able to visit some of these incredible places to see where they sit on the bridge between contrived, museum and functioning relic.
1.The Coonoor Club in the Nilgiris Hills certainly appeals. From looking at a photo it appears to all intents and purposes to be in West Sussex, with its neatly mown green grass and early morning mist.
Age-wise it was established in 1872 and it certainly would seem to follow a similar but less intensive theme of taxidermy on the walls of its bar to the High Range Club.
It seems that one can stay there by arrangement, so this could certainly be an good option. It appears lower key than the HRC and more lived in. It would be excellent to see somewhere thriving and to meet the members who use the club.
2. The Wellington Gymkhana Club, Coonoor. establised in 1873. This place appears to be thriving whist still maintaining a lot of the original and traditional features. For the 'Gun Bar' alone it would seem worth a visit
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| Gun Bar - Wellington Gymkhana Club |
The club has an extensive website and must be complimented for including a very detailed and fascinating history of its early days
http://wellingtongymkhanaclub.co.in/index.php/history/detailed-history .
How easy it would be to arrange a visit or stay at the Wellington Gymkhana Club remains to be seen, whilst they do have cottages which are available for rent, it seems these may only be for members, affiliates or guests of members.
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| Wellington Gymkhana Club |
3. The Saturday Club, Kolkata was established in 1875 by, amongst others, soliders from the famous Calcutta Light Horse Regiment. The club's Light Horse Bar still showcases the regiment's trophies and medals.
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| Light Horse Bar, Calcutta |
Accommodation seems to be available at the club but again for members and affiliates only.
4. Ootcamund Club, Ooty. Where does one even begin with this place. With its 1841 establishment, the invention of snooker and the only surviving hunt east of Suez, this is perhaps the holy grail of former colonial clubs.
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| Ootacamund Club |
Without having been there, its difficult to comment on how 'hidden' it is but nonetheless it's high up on the wishlist. It would be interesting to see how the Ooty Club's offerings compare with the High Range's truly extraordinary atmosphere. Just as it would be interesting to see how the Nilgiris Hills differ from the mountains of the High Range.
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| Ootacamund Club Bar |
5. North Coorg Club, Madikeri. Founded in about 1883 as a coffee planters club. Photos would suggest somewhere slightly low key but rather special.
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| North Coorg Club |
The Bar and billiards room both look wonderful, with that lived in, slightly gone to pasture, planters club chic. Lots of beautiful wood and a mix of vintage furniture.
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| North Coorg Club Bar |
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| North Coorg Club Billiards |
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There is accommodation available but once again this looks to be for members and guests only.
One thing which a lot of these clubs have in common are impressive affiliations lists. North Coorg doesn't disappoint on this count with ties to the High Range Club, Wellington Gymkhana, Madras Gymkhana, Ooty Gymkhana, Coonoor Club.
6. Bamboo Club, Pollibetta South Coorg has a fantastic and slightly nostalgic website with plenty of sepia toned photos.
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| Bamboo Club |
Although not 100 per cent clear I think this is the same angle today:
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| Bamboo Club today |
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The partial makeover theme continues inside. The soft furnishings one suspects not being entirely original. However through the left hand arch we see what looks like a Bar..
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| bamboo club |
and here it is..
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| Bamboo Club Bar |
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No modern ( ish) makeover for the Billiards room either thankfully. White walls, painted red tile floors, original full sized table with elevated viewing bench and an enormous stuffed Bison are all present and correct.
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| Bamboo Club Billiards |
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7. Kodaikanal Club, Tamil Nada. established 1887.
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| Kodaikanal Club |
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Photos hard to come by outside of the official website ( http://thekodaikanalclub.in/index.html ) but very much worth a look promising low red tile roofing, Billiards room, Cards room, working fireplaces in bedrooms and a fantastic bar complete with requisite wallmounted fauna. A particularly encouraging line from their website reads " As a matter of fact, formal areas demanding members to be attired properly, has been further enforced in the recent years. "
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Vandiperiyar Club, Idukki. Established in 1938 so rather a latecomer in fact.
Photos very limited but the website (http://vandiperiyarclub.com/home.html#) seems to show a small but perfectly formed planters club, corrugated roofing, red tile floors all set in lush countryside.
9. The Mundakayam Club, Kerala. Established in 1912.
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| Mundakayam Club |
Have read about this club for some time. It always seems of small scale and particularly pioneering. Would absolutely love to see it. Dusty earth tennis court and naturally full size Victorian billiards table, with the crucial elevated viewing platform! No photos of a bar but one would imagine and hope there is something of dark wood and functional, decorated with at least some preserved creatures and jaunty pre war sporting mementos..
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| Mundakayam Billiards |
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| Mundakayam tennis |
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The more one researches, scanning affiliated lists, searching articles, photos the more of these wonderful places you find. The Ootcamund Club or the Madras Club are no doubt impressive places but for me at least there is something more intriguing about the somewhat humbler establishments, places which seem to have kept going against greater odds such as the Peermade Club in Kerala below.
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| Peermade Club, Kerala |
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