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Home , Caerhays Castle, Lanhydrock, Lostwithiel, Mount Edgcumbe House, Polperro, Restormel Castle

BEST OF 2020 A Grand By Penny Fincken Day Out

We are fortunate here in Cornwall in having a large number of attractive country houses, historic castles and long established gardens that have been restored during the last hundred years and opened for the general public to enjoy a grand day out! It is largely due to the work of organisations such as the and that restoration has been possible. The properties are usually accompanied by good facilities including cafes, restaurants and shops. It was the National Trust who pioneered the system, now adopted by many tourist attractions, of making sure that we leave their properties via the shop!

Ornate key in the lock of a cabinet at Antony, Cornwall NTPL Commissioned (NTPL) ©National Trust Images/Cristian Barnett

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1 : Antony House & Garden 27 Widemouth Bay 2 : Caerhays Estate 27 3 : 28 4 : House & Garden 28 11 5 : Mount Edgcumbe House 28 6 : Pencarrow House & Gardens 28 12 Launceston 7 : 29 8 : Castle 29 Rock 9 : Castle 29 10 : St Michael’s Mount 29 6 Bedruthan Steps 11 : 29 3

12 : 29 Watergate Bay 4 13 : 29 Fistral 8 14 : Trerice House & Garden 29 14 1 5 St Agnes Charlestown Bay Porthtowan Pentewen St Ives 2 Bay 13 9 Falmouth 7 St Mawes Cove Swanpool Gyllingvase 10 Praa Sands

Lands End

Porthcurno Mullion

Kennack Sands

The

Five castles are mentioned in the paragraphs below, two dating from the 13th century and two from the 16th. The latter two, Pendennis and St Mawes, on either side of the wide mouth of the , were built as part of King Henry VIII’s efforts to strengthen the defences along the south coast of against invasion by unfriendly Antony – © National Trust Images/John Millar nations in mainland Europe. Both castles were completed rooms contain the original 18th century furniture as well in five years, a remarkably short time for two such as tapestries, embroideries, china, paintings and other imposing buildings; no doubt planning regulations were treasures owned by generations of the Carew family waived owing to the urgency of the situation! who have occupied the estate over the centuries. The Brief details of the houses, castles and gardens are Woodland Garden (not National Trust) is famous for its given below. For the benefit of visitors new to Cornwall, I rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias. have in most cases indicated the nearest town. The word ‘near’ does not mean within walking distance! & GARDENS Gorran, St. Austell PL26 6LY ANTONY HOUSE & GARDEN T: 01872 501310 PL11 2QA W: www.caerhays.co.uk T: 01752 812191 Caerhays Castle and Gardens was designed by the W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/antony famous Regency architect John Nash approximately 200 The Carew family has owned the estate on which years ago and both the building and the two families who Antony House stands for nearly 600 years. The present house was built for Sir William Carew between 1711 have lived and worked at Caerhays have played significant and 1721 and is still occupied by his descendents. It is roles in the and its former tin mining a handsome building, its frontage faced in industry. stone, and looks stately and regal, with no unnecessary Situated on the coast between Truro and St Austell ornamentation. It stands on a narrow peninsular near in addition to the castle there are 120 acres of beautiful where the Lynher River meets the . Some gardens and both castle and gardens are open to the public.

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The castle is open for guided tours only between to 1642, early 18th century portraits, and a Steinway piano mid-March to mid-June, weekdays only, not including which visiting pianists are allowed to play! The Gallery also bank holidays. These are organised tours of the main featured in the film ‘Twelfth Night’ which was filmed on rooms on the ground floor of the Castle. Each tour lasts location in Cornwall. approximately 45 minutes (depending on the group size) In the grounds there is a delightful chapel, dating and there are normally 3 tours a day at 11.30am, 1.00pm from the 15th century, which is the parish church of St and 2.30pm. Hydroc. The gardens surrounding the house are extensive COTEHELE and the woods contain many footpaths, one of which St Dominick, near Saltash PL12 6TA leads to Bodmin Parkway station 1+ miles away. As well T: 01579 351346 W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele as a museum and second hand bookshop, there are This lovely property standing on the banks of the often additional exhibitions available to view. Both the river Tamar is noted for the number of tapestries that are restaurants at Lanhydrock serve good locally produced hanging in almost every room. Built in Tudor times and food and there is a picnic area and adventure playground. originally the home of the Edgcumbe family the house MOUNT EDGCUMBE HOUSE AND COUNTRY PARK has changed little over the years so possesses a timeless , Torpoint PL10 1HZ quality. Enjoy all the stories and legends connected to the T: 01752 822236 W: www..gov.uk/mountedgcumbe old oak furniture, textiles, arms and armour, pewter and This magnificent house was built in the middle of the brass that are on display. Outside there are formal terraces, 16th century for the Edgcumbe family of Cotehele and the Valley Garden, and two orchards planted with local became the home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe. It is apples and cherries, to explore. Well worth a visit also is set in a Country Park of 865 acres on the Rame peninsular Cotehele Quay where the restored Tamar sailing barge, in South East Cornwall. During the Civil War in the 1640s Shamrock, is berthed. Go to the Discovery Centre and learn the banqueting hall adjoining the house suffered some about the story of the Tamar valley. The Edgcumbe bistro damage but three hundred years later, in 1941, the house is also on the Quay. There is the Barn Restaurant near the was gutted by enemy action. The 6th Earl began the house, arts and crafts in Cotehele Gallery, and Cornish gifts, reconstruction of the house in 1958. In 1971 he sold the and local plants on sale in the shop. There is so much to house and park to and Plymouth City see and do at Cotehele that makes it an ideal destination Council and it has become a popular tourist attraction. for a day out for the whole family. The wider park, including the National Camellia Collection,

LANHYDROCK HOUSE & GARDEN is open all year round and is free. Bodmin PL30 5AD The House and Earl’s Garden (admission charged) is open T: 01208 265950 W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock Sunday to Thursdays from April to September. The House is available for wedding ceremonies and conferences all year.

PENCARROW HOUSE AND GARDENS Bodmin PL30 3AG T: 01208 841369 W: www.pencarrow.co.uk

Lanhydrock – © National Trust Images/John Millar

Lanhydrock House and Gardens are among the most visited of all the National Trust properties. This lovely

country estate was home for over three centuries to the Pencarrow House Robartes family. The house was first built in the middle of the 17th century but following a fire in 1881 it was almost Pencarrow House and Gardens lies at the foot of a completely rebuilt using local materials. sweeping valley between Bodmin and Wadebridge. The The estate was given to the National Trust in 1953 by Lord largely Georgian mansion is still owned and occupied by Clifden (Baron Robartes). descendants of the family who settled there in the 1500s. There are many portraits of the Robartes family in some of Open to the public since the 1970s, Pencarrow House and the 50 rooms. Do take the tour and see the well preserved Gardens is a great day out for families, history enthusiasts, Victorian kitchens, meat store, dairy and laundry. Upstairs nature and garden lovers, and of course the dogs. The my favourite is the ‘luggage room’ with many of the items family members are very involved with events and day-to- that would have been used by the Robartes in the past. The day management of the estate, as they face the ever- Long Gallery, in the only wing of the house not destroyed changing challenge of maintaining a historic home in the by the fire, has a barrel-vaulted plaster ceiling dating back 21st century.

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PENDENNIS CASTLE There is much to see once you are on the island, tour the Castle Close, Falmouth TR11 4LP castle and the Priory church at the summit, and then come T: 01326 316594 W: www.english-heritage.org.uk/pendennis down and visit the garden. The outside tables at the Island The name of the area is derived from the Cornish Cafe give views across the bay to Marazion and maybe the pen dynas which means headland fort so it is believed opportunity to spot a passing seal. The Sail Loft Restaurant that there had been a fort on the site earlier. During offers delicious fare and the Island Gift Shop has souvenirs Queen Elizabeth’s reign, with invasion from the Spanish available.

TINTAGEL CASTLE (0.3 mile from Tintagel) AND (1½ miles N of Lostwithiel) These two castles were both built in the 13th century and are in good condition considering their great age. However, steep steps and uneven terrain at Tintagel Castle make it advisable for visitors to wear good, strong shoes. Restormel was twice visited by – who was the first . Tintagel has the story of King Arthur to add an attractive element to encourage visitors to its castle. So follow in their footsteps, learn Pendennis © English Heritage more of their history and enjoy a day out. threatened, the castle was enlarged into a great fortress. TINTAGEL OLD POST OFFICE Further improvements were made in subsequent years Fore Street, Tintagel PL34 0DB as the fort continued to play an important role in the T: 01840 770024 W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tintagel-old-post-office country’s defences even in World War II. An award-winning This building was originally a 14th century yeoman’s exhibition, Fortress Falmouth and the First World War, farmhouse which in the 19th century became the letter- outlines the fascinating history of the castle during this receiving station for the area for a short time. It sits quite important period of history. happily in the middle of the village amongst modern buildings. It displays some Victorian postal memorabilia Castle Drive, St Mawes, near Truro TR2 5DE and samplers, offers a quiet cottage garden and a small T: 01326 270526 W: www.english-heritage.org.uk/st-mawes shop. It acts as a magnet for visitors to patronise local This clover-shaped fort was built as a defence against cafés and other shops. invasion from and Spain, but was unable to present TRELISSICK any defence against Parliamentarian forces in the English Feock, near Truro TR3 6QL civil war in 1646. T: 01872 862090 W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick-garden It was the most elaborately decorated of any of Henry VIII’s This is one of the most popular gardens in Cornwall. castles but was not properly refortified until the late 19th It contains plenty of plants to see throughout the year as century. Like its partner, Pendennis, it has a lot of history to well as summerhouses, an orchard, a woodland walk and tell and is always well worth a visit and it too can be hired an art and craft gallery. It enjoys lovely views down the Fal for weddings and other events. estuary. There is a ferry service from Truro, Falmouth and St Mawes ST MICHAEL’S MOUNT Marazion TR17 0HS in the summer months. T: 01736 710265 W: www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk House open April to September, Wednesday to Sunday St Michael’s Mount is the jewel in the crown of the 10.30am to 5pm.

National Trust properties in Cornwall. This iconic island is TRERICE HOUSE & GARDEN situated in Mount’s Bay, Penzance and rises gracefully to Mill, near Newquay TR8 4PG the church and castle at its summit. T: 01637 875404 W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trerice This Elizabethan manor house lies in a secluded It is twinned with Mont St Michel off the north coast wooded valley, with rare examples of Dutch Gables, a fine of France, in Normandy. The oldest surviving buildings plaster ceiling and a magnificent Great Hall window. There date from the 12th century when a Benedictine Priory is so much to discover about the history of this unique was founded here. After the in the 17th manor house, the families who lived here, its architecture century the island was acquired by the St Aubyn family and restoration. The story of Trerice is brought to life by a whose descendants still live in the castle today, although the island has been owned by the National Trust since wide range of events throughout the year. 1954. The harbour and causeway linking the island to the Try on replica armour and play traditional games in mainland at Marazion were built in the 15th century. It is the Great Hall. You can take part in costume days, Tudor said that the causeway was built by convicts and ‘sinners and themed workshops, living history, conservation events needing absolution for their sins’. If the tide is high then and atmospheric evening openings. There are also family ferry boats are available from the jetty at Marazion to take activities and trails, kayles (Cornish bowls) in the garden you across to the harbour. and introductory and history talks.

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