Trelissick’s setting has to be one of the finest in the world, where the Fal meets the Carrick Roads and the views are magnificent. That’s what it says in the brochure and I would have to agree.
Now that I’m officially retired I thought it was time to invest in a National Trust Membership for myself and husband Ray. We have visited many of the National Trust Houses/Gardens since moving to Cornwall ten years ago and Spring/Summer is always the best time to get the most out of the gardens.
Trelissick House, we hadn’t been to before and I was delighted to discover that the house is all geared up for celebrating the hundred year anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote. They are telling the story of Ida Copeland whose social activism and philanthropy in the early mid 20th century made her one of the most remarkable owners of the estate. In light of this National Trust is running a year long programme celebrating women’s legacies at some of their special places. Ida Copeland was MP for Stoke-on-Trent , that in itself was most unusual for the day.
We began with a coffee in the very busy cafe before setting off around the gardens which are expansive and you can certainly build in a good walk on the excellent footpaths. Cornwall is steeped in maritime history and sailors returned with many treasures, including plants. The gardens are best discovered by exploration too and we were delighted with all the luxuriant evergreens and palms in amongst the camellia, magnolia and rhododendrons. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or someone like me who appreciates the joy of the outdoors you’ll find plenty of sights to marvel at.
With the estate surrounded on three sides by the River Fal, it commands an impressive position. The estate has miles of woodland and open countryside for you and your dog. You can take a stroll across the parkland or trek down to Roundwood Quay. It’s a great place for dogs.
THE HOUSE
The front of the main house had scaffolding up for repair work to the pillars, which was a shame. I was hoping to get a good picture. The view down across the Fal River from the front of the property is stunning and I can see why the rich merchant who built the house back in 1750 picked that spot. Over the years the house was owned and rented by a succession of wealthy owners until Ida Copeland inherited the estate in the late 1920’s. Although the estate had been passed over to the National Trust in the 1950’s the family continued to live in the house until 2011 when they finally handed over the property. They had lived in just a few rooms for many years. Should you wish to see the upstairs and the cellar you have to book onto a tour (three times a day) but you need to get there early to do that. They only take ten in a group. I didn’t get to see upstairs but I wasn’t too bothered. The house does still have some paintings on the wall and pottery displayed in cabinets in the library (Pottery was the family business in Stoke-on-Trent) but they house lacked ‘something.’ It didn’t seem to have much furniture in it, I guess the family sold off lots of stuff before they finally vacated the house. Having said that I wasn’t disappointed and the history of Ida Copeland was hugely interesting and so important to the Women’s Movement.. that exhibition alone would be worth the visit.
When I’d finished looking over the house we wandered into the kitchen that they family had used until their departure, which is now a cosy cafe and we had a lovely lunch. Home-made soup, cheese scone with chutney and lemon drizzle cake. All baked on the premises and absolutely delicious. That rounded off a very satisfactory visit to Trelissick and I shall definitely be returning to take the full tour of the house (Where I might see a bit more furniture) and get that all important picture of the front aspect when the scaffolding comes down.
With my newly purchased National Trust Membership and recently acquired free bus pass the world in my oyster…well Devon and Cornwall for this summer at least.
Please note…
Parking charge of £5 for cars, National Trust members free with a car sticker and valid membership card.
Prices are for a combined house and garden ticket. The house is sometimes closed for private events so please check the opening times before you visit.
Entrance Fee: £11.60 (Adult Charge)
Telephone 01872862090
Email trelissick@nationaltrust.org.uk
Address: Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6QL
