On our return to South Devon from Cornwall, we planned a halfway stop to visit the house we had seen featured in one of the televised Poirot stories. It had looked impressive on TV and was even more so in reality.
Lanhydrock is situated in the centre of a big estate with woodland and riverside walks, and there are bicycles for hire for the energetic visitors! As a result, the car park is long-ish walk from the house but as in most NT properties, there is a buggy available for those with mobility issues. The buggy drops off at the gatehouse, which itself can be visited but only via several flights of stairs.
The house is really worth a visit. It suffered damage by fire in 1881 and was almost completely rebuilt, so is relatively modern, certainly by NT standards. The visitor will get a strong feeling of wealth, as the decor and furnishings are luxurious in both living and sleeping areas. Particularly interesting are the kitchens and servant quarters which give a clear insight into what life must have been like below stairs.
There is of course a cafe and a shop, situated unusually en route back to the car park, both reflecting the usual NT standards. It is one of the best NT houses we have visited.
