Stately Homes to Visit in Cornwall & Devon
Introduction: Exploring Cornwall Historic Houses & Devon Historic Estates
If you’re planning a trip through Cornwall historic houses and historic estates in Devon, you’re in for a treat. While Cornwall and Devon are best known for their rugged coastlines, charming fishing villages, and wild moorland, they also hide a number of stately homes belonging to the Historic Houses (HH) scheme.
These are privately owned, often family-run estates that welcome visitors, and your support helps sustain their continued preservation. To make your trip even sweeter, don’t forget our exclusive Historic Houses discount code: TREX05 — a subtle way to save when visiting these hidden gems.
In this article, we highlight three must-visit stately homes that are Historic Houses members, offering a mix of Cornish charm and Devon grandeur. While there are also National Trust properties in the region (like Lanhydrock in Cornwall), here the focus is on the independent HH-scheme homes.
Much as we’d love to think the sun always shines in this neck of the woods, it is still the UK after all. It might be great to imagine you’ll be able to spend all day at the beach, or tucking into oysters and other magnificent seafood al fresco. But in reality, having a few rainy-day options up your sleeve is always a bright idea in this country. And if you love history, culture, art and magnificent gardens, then these historic houses will be just perfect!
Trereife House – A Romantic Cornish Manor
A Glimpse into Cornwall’s Historic Houses
Nestled in Penzance, Trereife House is a beautifully restored family-run estate. It’s been home to the Le Grice family since 1796, and its historic aura is matched by its dramatic coastal setting.
What Makes Trereife Special
- The house combines elegant period architecture with poetry: it’s long been associated with Romantic-era literary themes.
- A working estate — the family still lives here, and they have overseen careful restoration.
Top Tips for Visiting Trereife
- Opening Times & Tickets: Historic Houses members get free entry with a valid membership card.
- Tours: Guided tours are run by the family, so check ahead for times.
- Nearby Attractions: Close to the cliffs and coastal paths around Penzance, making it a great base for exploring West Cornwall.
- Facilities: As a family home, facilities are modest — plan your visit as a relaxed, personal experience rather than a major attraction.
Caerhays Castle & Gardens – Exotic Gardens on the Cornish Coast
Cornwall Historic Estates & Gardens
On the south coast of Cornwall, near St Austell, Caerhays Castle & Gardens sits within a stunning 140-acre estate. It is part of the Historic Houses network and offers a heady mix of botanical beauty and architectural charm.
Highlights of Caerhays
- Gardens: World-class exotic gardens filled with magnolias, rhododendrons, and rare trees, benefiting from Cornwall’s mild climate.
- Mansion: The Nash-designed mansion adds stately elegance and is woven into the family history.
- Family Legacy: The Williams family still owns the property, preserving both house and gardens lovingly.
Top Visiting Tips for Caerhays Castle
- Opening Times: Make sure to check the Historic Houses website or the estate’s own site for current opening times; gardens and house may have different schedules.
- Entry Fees: Historic Houses members visit for free, which makes this hidden gem a superb value option.
- Accessibility: The property is mostly wheelchair accessible, and there are car parking and accessible toilets.
- Things to Do Nearby: Use the estate as a gateway to the South West Coast Path, or combine with a trip to nearby Mevagissey or St Austell. Beer fans should check out if anything is going on at St Austell Brewery and be sure to try out a pint (or two) of the cracking Cornish IPA, Proper Job.
- Seasonal Tips: Spring and early summer are especially magical when the gardens are in full bloom.
Ugbrooke House – Devon’s Grand Robert Adam & Capability Brown Elegance
Historic Houses Devon: A Grand Country Home
Crossing into Devon, Ugbrooke House is one of the region’s most significant Historic Houses. It has been home to the Clifford family for over 400 years, and its heritage includes work by Robert Adam (interiors) and Capability Brown (parkland).
Why Ugbrooke Stands Out
- History: Mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), its lineage spans centuries.
- Architecture: Robert Adam designed key interiors; the house boasts period tapestries, furniture, and military artefacts.
- Landscaping: The grounds were redesigned by Capability Brown, giving a classical landscape feel.
- Local Welcomes: In summer, Ugbrooke offers guided tours led by the family, plus a delightful Orangery Tearoom serving Devon cream tea. So that will be cream first on your scones, then the jam!
Visiting Ugbrooke House: Top Tips
- Opening Times: The house and gardens are open on select days each summer — check in advance.
- Tours: Two guided tours daily (usually) — book or arrive early to secure a spot, especially in peak season.
- Tickets & Membership: Guests showing a valid Historic Houses membership card will gain free entry.
- Accessibility: The estate offers good parking, garden access, and visitor amenities.
- Nearby Attractions: Close to Chudleigh, it’s a great stop if touring Devon’s countryside — combine with visits to Dartmoor, Exeter, or nearby historic villages.
- Refreshments: The Orangery Tearoom is perfect for a leisurely tea or light lunch in a historic setting.
Honourable Mention: Other Historic Houses in Cornwall & Devon
While the three estates above are standout Historic Houses in Cornwall and Devon, it’s worth noting a few others:
- Pencarrow House & Gardens (Cornwall): A Georgian, family-run estate with 50 acres of woodland and garden, an Iron Age hill fort, and charming paths.
- Kelly House (Devon): Over 900 years in the same family, with Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian layers.
- Shilstone House (Devon): A restored Georgian house with an unusual late-17th-century water theatre and designed landscape.
- Great Bidlake Manor (Devon): A 16th-century manor, privately owned but visible via its grounds.
These are all part of the Historic Houses network and make a great addition to a tour of the area’s best houses, homes and gardens.
Why Visit Independent Historic Houses vs. National Trust Properties?
- Authenticity: Many HH properties are still lived in by the original families, giving you access to genuine private estates and personal stories.
- Support: By visiting Historic Houses, you’re directly supporting independent heritage rather than large trusts. Historic Houses is a cooperative representing over 1,000 privately owned houses.
- Value: Amazing value with your HH membership (especially using our TREX05 discount code). You often get free entry to these sites — a great deal compared to some paid tourist attractions.
- Diversity: The HH scheme includes everything from small manor houses to large castles and exotic gardens, often in more off-the-beaten-track locations.
Planning Your Visit: Tips & Itinerary Ideas
- Map It Out
- Day 1: Explore Trereife House in Penzance, then head east along the Cornish coast to view the cliffs or nearby villages.
- Day 2: Visit Caerhays Castle & Gardens near St Austell. You could combine this with a trip to the Eden Project or Mevagissey. Or the brewery if you’re like us!
- Day 3: Cross into Devon for Ugbrooke House. After your tour, head to nearby Chudleigh or make time for Dartmoor.
- Check Opening Times in Advance
- Some Historic Houses only open on select dates or seasons. Always verify on the Historic Houses website or the estate’s own page.
- Use your code TREX05 when purchasing membership to maximise savings.
- Visit Off-Peak
- Mornings or weekdays are often quieter, and gardens (like at Caerhays) are more peaceful early in the day.
- Consider shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) for more bloom, milder weather, and fewer crowds.
- Bring the Right Gear
- Sturdy shoes: Garden estates often have uneven paths.
- Picnic or snacks: While some homes have cafes, others might not — especially on quieter days. A picnic also makes a good-value day even cheaper.
- Combine with Other Activities
- Historic houses make perfect pit-stops in a broader Cornwall or Devon trip: coastal walks, moorland hikes, or local food tours.
- Use these visits as anchor points for a heritage-themed itinerary, connecting into National Trust houses, castles, or cultural attractions.
Final Thoughts
Cornwall and Devon may be famed for coastal scenery and moorland walks, but their Historic Houses offer a hidden depth of heritage, architecture, and family story. From the poetic manor of Trereife to the lush gardens of Caerhays Castle and the grand country elegance of Ugbrooke House, each estate opens a door into a different facet of the region’s past.
By visiting these Historic Houses properties—not just the well-known National Trust sites—you’re helping preserve independent heritage. And with our TREX05 Historic Houses discount code, you get even more value as you explore. Whether you’re a history buff, garden lover, or just looking for a quieter day out, these Cornwall and Devon stately homes should be high on your list.
Enjoy your heritage journey (and a Cornish IPA)!