Tudor house with superb collections, garden, quay and estate
The National Trust is synomous throughout Devon with immaculately maintained and breathtaking properties. Days out do 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 Buckland Abbey.
castle drogo
This house is a magnificent medieval manor house situated in a picturesque riverside location. Truly a great place to visit and so much to see. The Tudor mansion is brimming with heritage – antique tapestries, weapons, armour, pewter, brass and oak furniture. There are many interesting stories about the Edgcumbe family who owned Cotehele for six centuries.
Once you have had a chance to walk around the house why not visit the working watermill and workshops. This tranquil and timeless mill is still working and is an atmospheric reminder of the recent past when corn was ground for the local community. The workshops house a traditional furniture maker, a potter, a saddler’s and a smithy.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays the mill can be seen in action grinding flour and baking days are frequently scheduled when you can join in and try your hand at bread making or making a pizza. You can even buy a bag of flour to take home!
There is information about a leat and a hydro-electric scheme to read all about.
The last castle to be built in England, completed only eight decades ago. Julius Drewe, a wealthy young retail magnate, built it in an effort to enhance his social standing. The building took years to build with spiraling costs and the roof started leaking soon after work completed. The history here is fascinating – it is a very British story of class, ambition and tragedy.
The National Trust were asked to take over the property in 1973 as the family were unable to keep up with the snagging and general maintenance.
Saltram is the largest country house in Devon and was formerly the home of the Parker family. The house, a gracious Georgian mansion set within 20 acres of landscaped parkland and garden overlooking the River Plym is recognizable to many after its appearance as Norland Park in the film-production of Sense and Sensibility. The magnificence of this fine house is largely due to the incredibly famous architect of the era, Robert Adam who was engaged by John Parker to alter the east wing. In the late 19th century Saltram was reinvented more as a plantsman’s garden under the influence of Albert Parker who was married to Margaret Holford, daughter of RS Holford of Gloucestershire’s Westonbirt Arboretum. Albert and Margaret shared an enormous passion for rare trees and shrubs, which they included in their planting scheme. The gardens at Saltram are renowned for being as beautiful in winter as it is the rest of the year.
The National Trust were asked to take over the property in 1973 as the family were unable to keep up with the snagging and general maintenance.
Boscastle in the north of Cornwall is a pretty medieval harbour and fishing community - it is the only natural harbour for twenty miles and sits in a deep coomb where two valleys, formed by the rivers Valency and Jordan, meet. On top of the cliffs you can witness the medieval strip farming system, which is still in operation. From there you can also witness the stunning scenery and breathtaking coastal views. The Elizabethan quay sits in an impressive Amphitheatre of almost vertical cliffs and includes original stone-built cottages many of which date back to the 15th century – all in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Nearby, you can visit the half-forgotten churches of Minster and St. Juliots – once made famous by Thomas Hardy when he was at one time an architect on the restoration of the church. It was there that he met his wife, Emma Gifford, as she was the rector’s sister-in-law.
