How would you like to come with us to one of the special Victorian country homes in Cornwall, England? We visited this most special place when we were in Great Britain for our 50th anniversary three years ago. Make sure you have on your walking shoes as this is an enormous property! The estate takes up 900 acres with miles of footpaths and beautiful woodlands. If you wish to bring along a picnic this area would be great.
The beautiful parkland that surrounds this property is spectacular on this lovely Autumn afternoon. We are told that the property is managed organically so the area is a haven for wildlife and a great variety of wildflowers.
After we walk through the Gatehouse we will continue up the path to the home that once belonged to Thomas Charles, 2nd Lord Robartes, his wife Mary and their ten children. In 1881 there was a fire that ruined Lanhydrock where his mother Juliana perished. He inherited the home on the death of his father and had the home rebuilt for his family.
You can see Juliana's portrait in the home as we tour.
And what an enormous home it is! Let's all go inside and have a look about.
Notice the lovely woodwork as we walk about the home and the interesting plaster work on the ceilings.
There are over 50 rooms to view here, so we will look at a few of them before taking a look at the property.
The dining room is set for us to enjoy a meal if you didn't bring your picnic. Notice the lovely woodwork if you can take your eyes off of the table.
This display is so beautiful with the different flower patterns on the china.
Take a look out the windows as you pass by. The views are amazing!
I'm always interested by the kitchens in these large estates. Of course the staff that ran these homes was huge. Take a look around with me and imagine all the wonderful meals that were produced here by these hard working men and women.
Are you thinking of Downton Abbey like I am? Mrs. Patmore would surely be hard at work here.
There are many rooms to see here, so let's take a look further around.
Remember that the family had ten children. Their rooms are charming and full of great toys.
The gardens were designed by George Truefitt in 1854. Juliana Agar-Robartes and her head gardener Joseph Bray planned the plants for the extraordinary setting. The gardens remain the same except for gravel paths dividing the flower beds instead of grass.
The 7th Viscount Clifden, Gerald, loved gardening and added camellias, rhododendrons, and Himalayan magnolias to the gardens. I can just imagine how lovely it would all be in bloom in spring!
The 167 year old Irish Yews that surround the garden and home are expertly maintained. The 29 yews are pruned in July and August. It takes two weeks to complete the task. They are fed liquid seaweed fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks starting in May. These yews have played a part in the medical world. Up until recently their bark was sent away to help with cancer research. The active molecules in the bark improves cell stability.
St Hydroc has been the patron saint of Lanhydrock's church since a visit in 1478 by William Worcester to the Bodmin priory of St Petroc's. Built in the mid 15th century the church may have incorporated an earlier small church or chapel. It was remodeled during the 1620's when John Robartes extended Lanhydrock house. The Robartes family crypt lies beneath the old family pews situated to the east end of the south side (nearest the house).
Lanhydrock is maintained by the National Trust and continues to be one of its most visited sites. I can certainly see why. I do hope you enjoyed touring this special place with Grayden and I. We enjoyed reliving it with you!
