The National Trust

The National Trust is synomous throughout Devon with immaculately maintained and breathtaking properties. Days out to not come anymore rewarding than a trip to the stunning Lydford Gorge or perhaps following in the footsteps of Sir Francis Drake at the fascinating Bucland Abbey.

SALTRAM HOUSE.

This a remarkable survival of a George II mansion, complete with its original contents and set in an attractive landscape park, on the outskirts of Plymouth. Robert Adam worked here on two occasions to create the magnificent state rooms. There is exquisite plasterwork throughout, and three rooms are decorated with the original Chinese wallpaper. The house contains fine period furniture, china and pictures, including many portraits by Reynolds and Angelica Kauffmann. The superb 18th-century gardens contain an orangery, the Chapel Art Gallery and several follies, as well as beautiful shrubberies and imposing specimen trees.

BUCKLAND ABBEY.

Tucked away in its own secluded valley above the River Tavy, Buckland was originally a small but influential Cistercian monastery. The house, which incorporates the remains of the 13th-century abbey church, has rich associations with Sir Francis Drake and his sea-faring rival, Sir Richard Grenville, containing much interesting memorabilia from their time. There are exhibitions on Buckland's 700-year history as well as a magnificent monastic barn, an unusual herb garden, delightful estate walks and several craft workshops. Recent developments include a hand-crafted plasterwork ceiling in the Drake Chamber, the Cot Lane rural crafts area and a new Elizabethan garden.

LYDFORD GORGE.

This famous gorge is 1½ miles long and can be viewed from a circular walk, which starts high above the river and passes through attractive oak-woods before dropping down to the spectacular 30m-high White Lady waterfall. The path then proceeds along an enchanting riverside walk through the steeply sided ravine, scooped out by the River Lyd as it plunges into a series of whirlpools, including the thrilling Devil's Cauldron.

COTHELE.

At the heart of this riverside estate, the house at Cotehele was mainly built during 1485 and 1627 and was a home of the Edgcumbe family for centuries. Its granite and slatestone walls contain intimate chambers adorned with tapestries, original furniture and armour. Outside, the formal gardens overlook the richly planted valley garden below, with medieval dovecote, stewpond and Victorian summer-house, and 18th-century tower above. At the Quay there are interesting old buildings housing an art and craft gallery and an outstation of the National Maritime Museum. The restored Tamar sailing barge Shamrock is moored alongside. A network of footpaths throughout the estate provides a variety of riverside and woodland walks with a high nature conservation and industrial archaeology interest.

Other properties in Devon well worth visiting include; Killerton House, Castle Drogo, Finch Foundry and Knighthayes Court. Meanwhile in neighbouring Cornwall you can visit the magnificent country houses of Lanhydrock and Antony and also the renowned gardens of Trelissick, Glendurgan and Trengwainton. The Trust also owns 119 miles of one of Europe's most spectacular coastlines, including the romantic fishing harbour at nearby Boscastle.