NATIONAL
TRUST PROPERTIES IN THE SOUTH WEST
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.