Better Home & Gardens in Cornwall

When we planned our trip to Cornwall I was aware that there were a few gardens and some homes to be seen.  What I didn't account for was the fact that there are so many homes and gardens to be seen.  Since looking at other people's homes and gardens isn't one of Taylor's favorite occupations I planned that we would go see two.  Well, our guide David took us to two estates, I planned an additional two, and then we went to London.

Lanhydrock
This National Trust home is Cornwall's most complete Victorian country home (according to the brochure).  It was lovely, and we could have spent more time here.  It was our first though so we knew we would need to pace ourselves. David thought we needed two hours, we said one, and we stayed for one and a half.  Like I said we could spent more time here both inside and in the gardens.

Just what one would expect of a country home.

Country homes need their own chapel.

Of all the rooms in the house, I liked the kitchens best.

I've wondered what clotted cream actually is, and now I have the recipe.

Formal gardens in the front.

Out back, the gardens are more casual.

The thatched cottage behind the house looked like a perfect spot for secret assignations.

Saint Michael's Mount

This is another National Trust home.  We  took a boat to get to it.  When the tide is out you can walk to it on a causeway, much like Mont Saint Michel in France. In early days it was a monastery. The family who lives in it gave it to the National Trust and now lives there with a 999 year lease. We were able to go through the castle, but the grounds are closed one day a week for maintenance so we had to be satisfied with peeking over the battlements.  In any case it was a beautiful day for a boat ride.

The gardens drop right down to the sea.

Here's the chapel.

Caerhays Castle
Caerhays Castle is a hidden gem way off the beaten track.  We went here because a taxi driver told us it is only open ten weeks a year and it was open season now.  He thought it was not to be missed and he was right.  The drive out to the country alone was worth the effort.  This country home is nestled into a hill with the ocean at it's feet.  We went through the home.  People really do live in it, and take money from people like us to be able to afford to live here. It is large, rambling and homey.

Walking up the drive we encountered these guys.  They were very interested in us and marched toward us.  We were happy to get closer to the house and away from them.

The cows are on my right, the ocean behind me and the castle in front of me. The gardens are all behind, filled with rhododendron,  camellias and magnolia.

Lost Garden of Heligan
The final garden we saw in Cornwall is called the Lost Garden of Heligan for a reason.  It was a thriving country home and garden, but during World War I most of it's gardening staff went to war and didn't come back.  The grounds slowly slipped into neglect, the home was eventually sold to be divided into flats and the gardens were forgotten. In 1992, by chance, a hidden door was discovered under the brambles.  Further exploration revealed the bones of the garden that had once been spectacular.  In the last 25 years the gardens have slowly been uncovered and reconstructed.  A magical story and a magical place.

These green houses were hidden under brambles.

This is it for homes and gardens in Cornwall.  We thought Taylor would get a break, but............there are more homes gardens in London.