A Complete Guide to the National Trust in Cornwall
Beautiful beaches, elegant estates, glorious gardens and dramatic engine houses. The National Trust cares for a diverse collection of properties and places all over Cornwall, preserving our incredible heritage while making these unique sites accessible to us all.
When you’re packing for your Cornwall holiday, don’t forget your National Trust pass as you will find so much to do here. From the elegant rooms at Lanhydrock House to coasteering on The Lizard, here’s the Cornish Escapes guide to the National Trust in Cornwall.
Beautiful National Trust Gardens in Cornwall
Cornwall’s mild climate means that we can be adventurous when it comes to planting, and generations of Cornish gardeners have experimented with subtropical specimens. We love Trengwainton Garden near Penzance, with its giant ferns, woodland walks and walled kitchen gardens. Godolphin near Helston has woods and fields as well as formal gardens, and there’s excellent walking from the estate up Godolphin Hill.
Glendurgan (usually referred to as “the one with the maze”) is a subtropical garden in a beautiful valley, a tree-lined footpath leading down to its private beach on the River Fal. Trelissick Garden is also on the Fal, with sweeping views and a lovely orchard to explore. Further east, Antony is a Repton-designed landscaped garden featuring formal planting and sculptures.
For opening times and prices, please see National Trust Cornwall Gardens & Parks.
National Trust Properties in Cornwall
Magnificent Lanhydrock House near Bodmin is a (mostly) Victorian stately home set in an older estate. The many rooms on the tour give a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Robartes family and their staff, while the extensive grounds are one of our favourite places for a walk or bike ride. Tudor Trerice (near Newquay) is on a smaller scale but both the house and garden are simply lovely (and always leave time for the tea room…).
West Cornwall is home to one of the Trust’s more unusual properties, the iconic St Michael’s Mount. The castle is run by the National Trust, while the tidal island itself (including the village and harbour) is still managed by the St Aubyn family. Try to time your visit so you catch a boat in one direction and walk along the ancient causeway in the other.
Further afield, Cotehele is a Medieval/Tudor house in a woodland setting near Saltash, with a historic quay and gardens to explore. You can also visit the houses at Trelissick and Antony and look out for open weekends when the house at Godolphin can be toured.
Find out more about National Trust Houses & Buildings in Cornwall.
Cornwall’s Industrial Heritage
Much of Cornwall’s wealth came from mining, so if you want to know more about the origins of these elegant estates, explore our industrial heritage. You can visit the tin mines at Levant and Botallack, clinging onto the cliff tops of West Penwith (and if they look familiar, yes they were used as locations for BBC’s Poldark) or East Pool Mine near Redruth.
There are other glimpses into Cornwall’s industrial past, from the nineteenth-century mill at Cotehele to the Marconi wireless station at Lizard Point. You can visit engineer Richard Trevithick’s home near Camborne, which is open one afternoon a week for pre-booked tours
The National Trust and the Cornish Coast
The National Trust cares for large stretches of the Cornish coast, including the famous Kynance Cove on The Lizard, with its clear azure waters and serpentine rocks. We love the dramatic Pentire Head and the tin mining coast around St Agnes, their rugged terrain contrasting with the sandy sweeps of Holywell Bay and Chapel Porth Beach.
Discover Cornwall’s fishing heritage at Mullion Cove, or explore the once-busy village of Port Quin, now a quiet cove with abandoned old fishing buildings. From the rugged Tin Coast out west to the pretty Fowey Estuary, wherever you go around Cornwall’s coast, you’ll find places looked after by the ever-industrious National Trust.
Read how the National Trust cares for Cornwall’s coast.
Outdoor Adventures with the National Trust
If you love spending time outdoors, you’ll find plenty of adventures with the National Trust in Cornwall. As well as the beaches and coastal walks we’ve just mentioned, you can join in with the Parkrun at Penrose Estate (Helston) or the Trust10 trail run at Godolphin (also near Helston).
The National Trust has partnered with Lizard Adventures for kayaking and coasteering at Lizard Point or you can book a surfing lesson at nearby Poldhu Cove. Inland, hire a bike onsite at Lanhydrock and explore the woods and parklands of this large Bodmin estate.
Discover more National Trust outdoor activities.
National Trust Car Parks in Cornwall
As all National Trust members know, your NT pass also gives you access to some great car parks! The series of National Trust car parks along the North Cliffs (just beyond Godrevy) is especially good for coastal walking, and we use the Trencrom car park for countryside walks near St Ives. The Chapel Carn Brea and Cot Valley car parks are perfect for exploring the beautiful landscape in the far west.
Here’s a complete list of National Trust car parks in Cornwall, together with their post codes.
Luxury Holiday Cottages in Cornwall
If you’re coming on holiday to Cornwall and you’re not yet a member, it’s certainly worth joining the National Trust to make the most of their many Cornish properties and places. At Cornish Escapes, we have luxury holiday cottages close to famous National Trust sites including St Michael’s Mount and the Tin Coast.
The Mermaid Seafood Restaurant
Mermaid Seafood Restaurant, Fish Street, Saint Ives, UK