The National Trust Locations in Cornwall
If you love exploring historic houses and gardens, Cornwall is the perfect place to come on holiday. It’s even better if you’re a National Trust member, because the charity cares for so many properties in Cornwall, as well as looking after large stretches of coast and countryside in the county. Here are a few of our favourite National Trust locations in Cornwall.
Lanhydrock House
Lanhydrock is a magnificent country estate near Bodmin. The grand house is always worth exploring (the kitchens are especially fascinating); however, allow a full day to visit Lanhydrock, as its wooded estate is equally appealing.There are over 1,000 acres of parkland and woodland to discover, criss-crossed with walking and cycle trails. You can even hire a bike for the day (please book your bicycle hire in advance). Watch out for special events and tours in both the house and grounds.
Trerice
This Tudor Manor house is tucked away in the countryside outside Newquay. The rooms are displayed to represent different periods of the house’s history, as are the pretty gardens. On a late summer’s day, the knot garden and orchard is the place to be, with bees lazily buzzing around the windfalls and the scent of lavender still in the air. The tea room is housed in an airy converted barn and is one of our favourite spots for a (rightly) celebrated National Trust tea.
Cotehele
Cotehele is right at the top tip of Cornwall, perched above the River Tamar near Saltash. Explore the Tudor manor house in its pretty wooded estate, as well as the Victorian watermill and workshops. If you’re in Cornwall around Christmas, come to Cotehele for its festive celebrations, including its famous 60-foot garland. While you’re in this part of Cornwall, visit the elegant Queen Anne house at Antony, set in a glorious Repton landscape.
Trengwainton
Trengwainton Garden is just outside Penzance, with wonderful views across Mount’s Bay. It’s an incredibly varied place, with wooded paths opening out into sweeping spaces (watch out for the ha-ha!), a Victorian walled kitchen garden, an orchard and a significant magnolia collection. Enjoy wandering through its native and subtropical planting, before retiring to the welcoming cafe for a restorative cream tea. We’d also recommend the second-hand bookshop here, housed in a former gardeners’ cottage.
Glendurgan
The balmy climate around Falmouth and the Helford has led to some beautiful gardens, like Glendurgan, which is set in a sheltered valley. Its paths, lined with sub-tropical plants, wind downwards towards a small private beach. Glendurgan is best-known for its maze, crafted from cherry laurel that was originally planted in 1833. When you’re in this area, try Trelissick near Feock, which has stunning views and some lovely woodland walks.
St Michael’s Mount
Cornwall’s iconic St Michael’s Mount is a National Trust property, but it’s a bit of an unusual one.The island is jointly managed by the Trust and the St Aubyn family, which means that while the castle is free to NT members, there is a charge for the car park and boats (take a look at the Mount’s website to find out more). St Michael’s Mount really is an astonishing place and a must-visit for any Cornwall holiday itinerary. Leave time to potter around the village and harbour as well as the castle and chapel.
The National Trust and Cornwall’s Mining Heritage
There’s a lot more to the National Trust than pretty houses and formal gardens and the charity also looks after some of the places that make up the Cornish World Heritage Mining Site. National Trust mining sites in Cornwall include East Pool, Levant and Botallack and you might recognise some of the buildings and locations from the BBC’s adaptation of the Poldark novels. These evocative National Trust properties are a reminder of Cornwall’s major role in global industrialisation, as well as the hard lives of local miners and their families.
Cape Cornwall
This dramatic headland, topped with a 19th-century chimney stack, is another part of the Cornish World Heritage Mining Site. Park in the National Trust car park and take the path down to the Cape, then keep following it up to the top of the headland, where both the fresh sea air and the views will make you catch your breath. Afterwards, extend your walk along the coast path or down to Priest’s Cove, a little old fishing cove with a tidal swimming pool.
Protecting Cornwall’s coastline
Cape Cornwall is just one of many stretches of Cornish coastline under the care of the National Trust. Highlights include Godrevy near Hayle, with its coastal walks, ponies, seals and lighthouse views and stretches of the coast near Tintagel. There are coves and beaches across the Lizard and Mount’s Bay that are managed by the National Trust, including famously beautiful Kynance Cove. On the north coast, Chapel Porth and Holywell are both stunning beaches. If you’re coming on holiday to Cornwall for the coast path and beaches, it’s worth joining the National Trust for the car parking alone!
Godolphin House
If you time your Cornish holiday to coincide with bluebell season, you’ll be amply rewarded by the colours and scents in Godolphin Woods. While the house is usually (but not always) closed to visitors, there’s woodland, countryside and formal gardens to explore at Godolphin, as well as a fabulous barefoot trail and mud kitchen (pack accordingly!). For more woodland walks and wildlife spotting, we also recommend Penrose Estate near Helston, with its 17 miles of pathway leading towards Loe Bar.
Find out more about the National Trust in Cornwall
For further details and essential information about admissions and directions, take a look at the National Trust’s Cornwall page. You can also find out about accessibility, family activities and dog-friendly attractions, as well as – most importantly – shop and tea room opening times.
Book your holiday cottage in Cornwall
If you’re a National Trust member, you’re going to need at least a week in Cornwall! Take a look at our collection of Cornish holiday cottages, many of which are close to these wonderful National Trust properties (some even have views of St Michael’s Mount or National Trust-managed coastline)