Lanhydrock House, Gardens and Church

When Jo and Paul popped down to see Mike yesterday Jo made the suggestion that we all go to Lanhydrock as a birthday day out and with the weather forecast sounding very good, the idea was given a big thumbs up. With a picnic lunch packed we drove up to them and then all piled into their new car for the drive to Bodmin. We've been to Lanhydrock several times for their 'Rock Meets Blues' nights but had never been inside the house. We got there about 12.30pm so decided on lunch before the visit and then began the walk down to the house.

It's in a fabulous setting and although from outside it looks quite small, it is actually a maze of rooms and corridors once the tour starts.

We arrived at the Gatehouse where a buggy was parked in case we needed a ride back up to the carpark afterwards ...

The Gatehouse was open so we climbed a winding stone staircase to a room with loads of information about all the bats that live at Lanhydrock - apparently it is a hotspot for the mammals. Then we walked up to the house and typically for us we began at the end - the shop! We then went through the main door of the house to be greeted by a gentleman who explained the layout. Then it was off on our wanderings around this immaculate building.

We couldn't get over how clean and shining everything was - not a finger mark in sight! In the dining room we got chatting with one of the helpers who explained how the family tree worked and that although the last family had produced 10 children, there were no male heirs to carry on the name. It seemed very sad. She also told us about the fire of 1881 and how the wing was rebuilt. I took loads of photos of course but here are just a selection to give you a flavour of the place ...

After descending the staircase we exited through a door and found ourselves back in the shop where a few purchases were made. On the way in we'd spotted a notice advertising pancakes in the restaurant and so after looking at the yard buildings ...

we found the old servants' hall which is now the restaurant. Suitably refreshed after our coffee and pancakes we made our way up to the church ...

and then it was a stroll back to the Gatehouse passing the lovely gardens ...

and a walk up the hill to the carpark. To finish the day off Jo and Paul came down to Portreath for a meal at the Arms. It had been a lovely day out and definitely a place to visit again.