| Cotehele means the wood in the estuary and is a beautiful
National Trust property set amongst the steep wooded banks of the River
Tamar. The Edgcumbe family acquired the estate by a marriage to Hilaria
de Cotehele in 1353 and it remained in their possession until 1947 when
the National Trust took it over. The granite Tudor House was built (between
1485 and 1539) on the site of an earlier mediaeval house of which some sandstone
walls and windows remain. There is a mediaeval dovecote and stewpond situated
in the steep valley garden. Walking through the upper garden will bring
you to Prospect Tower built in the
18th century with fine views over the surrounding countryside. The entrance
is by a great mediaeval barn now a
National Trust restaurant and shop. The house is unlit by electricity and
contains fine furniture and tapestries with a magnificent Great Hall and
lovely chapel. The intimate garden is a treasure trove of plants thriving
in the mild Cornish climate. The trees, shrubs and plants are all carefully
labelled and, whatever the time of year, there is always much to explore.
If you walk down through the lower garden you can take a walk through the
woods to the river bank and Cotehele Quay. The upper gardens around the
house are more formal with terraces. View a slideshow
of Cotehele. |
