Garden Tour Three

Starting from Truro ... but we can start at your hotel/B&B from anywhere in Cornwall... we cross rugged Bodmin Moor, passing Colliford Lake and Dozmary Pool (where King Arthur's sword Excalibur last saw the light of day), take a quick look at Warleggan Church (where a resident Vicar once made strenuous efforts to keep his congregation OUT(!) and preferred to preach to an empty church), visit St Neot's Church, whose stained glass windows survived Oliver Cromwell when most others did not, take a look Gunnislake and Calstock (peaceful, eclectic areas, which were once bustling hives of activity at the tidal head of the beautiful River Tamar valley) and continue to Cotehele House and Gardens, on the hillside overlooking the river, in time for their 11am opening.

Cothele House

Built mainly between 1485-1627, this atmospheric house nestles into the hillside high above the River Tamar. Home of the Edgcumbe family for centuries and built mostly of granite and slate, the enclosing walls contain intimate chambers adorned with sumptuous tapestries, original furniture and medieval armour. Outside, magnificent formal gardens overlook the richly planted valley garden below, with medieval dovecote, stewpond and Victorian summerhouse, and 18th-century tower above. Cotehele Mill has been restored to working condition, and at the quay there are interesting buildings housing an art and craft gallery and an outstation of the National Maritime Museum. The restored Tamar sailing barge Shamrock is moored alongside.

Visit the National Trust website for Cotehele House

Leaving Cotehele we travel south along the western bank of the River Tamar passing St Mellion International Golf Courses (and their Hotel and Restaurant Complex) ... perhaps stopping at the 'Who'd Have Thought It' Inn for lunch ... passing through St Germans and heading for Cremyll and Mount Edgcumbe House (open Sunday to Thursday) to visit the House and Earl's Garden.

Mount Edgcumbe House and Garden

The Earl's Garden at Mount Edgcumbe was created beside the Tudor House in the 18th century. Ancient and rare trees including a 400 year old lime, a splendid Lucombe oak, and a Mexican pine, are set amidst classical garden houses and an exotic Shell Seat. Colourful flowers and heather grace the recreated Victorian East Lawn terrace, which has spectacular views over Plymouth Sound. The Formal Gardens are found in the Lower Park and were created over 200 years ago in the English, French and Italian styles. They have recently been added to with an American Plantation and a New Zealand styled garden, both of which countries have strong family connections. In 2002 a Jubilee Garden was established to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee.

Visit a website for Mount Edgcumbe House and Garden

Allow 1.5 to 3 hours at Mount Edgcumbe.

And if time, energy and enthusiasm allow, return to Truro (or where you are staying) via Looe, Talland Bay, Polperro and the lovely Looe Valley... stopping for tea... if appropriate!

Transport

If other Cornish Gardens have more appeal, just let us know and these will be the ones we visit.

And if you'd just like to go to just one Cornish Garden - say The Eden project - we'll provide a PRICE QUOTATION FOR TRANSPORT FROM AND BACK TO YOUR HOTEL/B&B
- ON REQUEST.