Trevalgas Cottages are about 1½ miles from Bude. They are set in a quiet road and the peace and tranquillity has to be experienced to be believed. Nearby are wonderful clean sandy beaches and some rugged cliffs – all surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Not too far off – in both Cornwall and Devon – are some glorious garden and great houses (historical, stately or manor) to be appreciated and enjoyed. We can’t guarantee to list them all, but it’s a starting point.
Some of the great houses and gardens (in alphabetical order). Most are within a 75 minute drive, assuming no major traffic problems.
Caerhays (Nr St Austell) Over 120 acres of woodland gardens in the grounds of Caerhays Castle and one of the homes of the National Magnolia Collection (http://www.caerhays.co.uk)
Castle Drogo (NT) Nr. Okehampton. Splendid granite castle (though not as old as it looks) on the edge of Dartmoor. (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-castledrogo)
Cotehele (NT) (Nr Saltash) A Tudor house and valley gardens, plus Cotehele Quay on the river Tamar. (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-cotehele)
Docton Mill and Garden. Nr Hartland. An impressive flower garden (and award winning cream teas!). (http://www.doctonmill.co.uk/index.htm)
Eden Project (Nr St Austell) The amazing complex created within a disused clay mine with ‘tropical’ and ‘temperate’ biomes to explore, and much more. (http://www.edenproject.com)
Hartland Abbey and Gardens. Built around 1150, the Abbey was a monastery for 400 yrs but is now a magnificent family home with superb woodland gardens. (http://www.hartlandabbey.com/intro.htm)
Llanhydrock (NT) (Nr Bodmin) An example of the perfect country house (fully restored after a devastating fire in 1881) with garden (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lanhydrock)
Long Cross Victorian Gardens Nr Port Isaac. A compact and unusual garden in the windiest location (where the salt-laden rain deposits over 1 cwt of salt per acre!) overlooking Port Isaac and the Atlantic. (http://www.longcrosshotel.co.uk/gardens.php)
Lost Gardens of Heligan (Nr St Austell) Known as the Sleeping Beauty of gardens where over 200 acres have been restored after decades of neglect and decay; truly inspirational. (http://www.heligan.com)
Pencarrow House and Gardens. Nr Bodmin. The House dates back to the time of Elizabeth I and the 50 acres of garden woodland and formal gardens are home to the tree that gave rise to the term ‘monkey puzzle’ tree. (http://www.pencarrow.co.uk/homepage.asp)
Prideaux Place Nr Padstow. A beautiful Elizabethan manor house and fine gardens overlook Padstow’s picturesque harbour. (http://www.prideauxplace.co.uk/index.html)
Rosemoor (RHS) Nr Gt Torrington. Like all RHS gardens, there is something of interest throughout the year. (http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Rosemoor)
Tapeley Park Nr Bideford. Described as a “stunning stately home situated in magnificent gardens”. (http://www.tapeley-park.com/Index.html)
The Garden House Nr. Tavistock. Highly acclaimed – described as “breath-taking”. (http://www.thegardenhouse.org.uk)
Trebah (Nr Falmouth) Described as a sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop. (http://www.trebahgarden.co.uk)
Trelissick (NT) Nr Truro. 200 year old gardens adjacent to the river Fal. (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trelissickgarden)
Trerice (NT) Nr Newquay. An intimate Elizabethan manor house (with hands-on opportunities with artefacts and armour) with small garden and orchard. (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trerice)
Trevarno (Nr Helston) Home of the National Museum of Gardening plus over 70 acres of gardens in an Estate which dates back over 750 years (http://www.trevarno.co.uk/index.htm)
Other web sites with information about gardens and other attractions
Historic Houses & Gardens page of VisitBude the Official Tourism web site for Bude (http://www.visitbude.info/attractions/historic-houses-and-gardens)
Great Gardens of Cornwall – Details of the 10 spectacular gardens in the Duchy and 6 National Trust houses/gardens. (http://www.greatgardensofcornwall.co.uk)
Gardens of Cornwall – A list of 60 gardens, with useful information about the types of garden and their locations. (http://www.gardensofcornwall.com)
