Top 8 National Trust places in Cornwall to visit

Cornwall is full of some fantastic National Trust locations, from an island paradise and UNESCO-protected engine houses to magnificent mansions.  

Whether you're a National Trust member or simply love exploring, you are in for a treat when it comes to the selection of National Trust places in Cornwall.

Here, you can discover all about some of our favourite National Trust places to visit whilst in Cornwall. 

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• North Cornwall
• South Cornwall
• West Cornwall

National Trust places in North Cornwall

Lanhydrock House and Gardens

Situated on the outskirts of Bodmin, Lanhydrock is a magnificent late Victorian country house with gardens and a wooded estate. Discover the two sides of traditional Victorian life: from the kitchen which offers a thrilling glimpse into life 'below stairs', to the luxurious family areas, elegant dining room and spacious bedrooms which reveal the comforts of ‘upstairs’ living.

The extensive gardens are full of beautiful herbaceous borders, camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons. There are also ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths further into the estate as well as off-road cycle trails with special routes for families and beginners, with bike hire available on-site too (at an extra charge). 

Trerice 

Located about 3 miles east of Newquay, Trerice is a grand Elizabethan manor house on a slightly smaller scale, with delightful interiors and a garden. The house has many notable features, some of which include the window in the Great Hall which holds 576 tiles of 16th and 19th-century glass, the decorative plasterwork in the Hall and Great Chamber, and an intricate Tudor bed.

Outside, the lovely space features an Elizabethan knot garden whose pattern mirrors sections of the plasterwork in the Great Chamber. It is surrounded by old varieties of fruit trees which once made up an orchard. There is also a kayling lawn (which is the Cornish version of skittles) where visitors can play a game of Cornish kayles and enjoy the breathtaking views surrounding Trerice. 

National Trust places in South Cornwall

Cotehele

Situated in St Dominick, near Saltash, Cotehele is a Tudor manor house with a glorious garden (which includes a mill) and an expansive estate. The manor house was built by the Edgcumbe family in the late 15th century and stands at the top of a valley garden with views over the River Tamar.

The house is surrounded by formal gardens which include rhododendrons and azaleas, there’s also a medieval stew pond and 15th-century dovecote. There are miles of pleasant footpaths by the riverside and through the woodland further into the estate. On the Tamar quayside, there is a working water mill and some industrial ruins as well as boat trips on the river.

Trelissick 

Located between Falmouth and Truro, Trelissick is a welcoming house and garden set in an estate with stunning maritime views and lovely woodland walks. Home to the Copeland family up until 2012, the original house dates back to the 1750s. 

There are more than 30 acres of elevated gardens to explore with twisting paths and summer houses. Dotted along the way are important collections of hydrangeas, rhododendrons and camellias. Surrounded by the River Fal, the diverse countryside also includes a historic park, woodland, an Iron Age promontory fort and an 18th-century quay.

National Trust places in West Cornwall 

Trengwainton Garden

Situated on the outskirts of Penzance, Trengwainton Garden is a wonderful, sheltered garden bursting with exotic trees and shrubs. The gardens consist of 25 acres, with great displays of magnolias and camellias and a series of walled gardens built to the dimensions of Noah’s Ark. 

There is also a pond and summerhouse with views to the beautiful St Michael’s Mount. A gentle stream runs through the centre and the carriage drive is bordered by colourful streamside planting and meadows. If gardens are your thing, check out our top gardens in Cornwall guide here!

Glendurgan Garden

Set above the Helford Estuary, Glendurgan Garden is a historic and exotic wooded valley garden which leads down to the River Helford. Set in a 30-acre valley, the highlight of Glendurgan has to be the laurel maze, which was designed by Alfred Fox (who owned the gardens before the National Trust) in 1833.

The design is said to be modelled on Sydney Gardens in Bath and has a Victorian thatched summerhouse at the centre. The gardens are at their colourful best in the spring, when camellias and rhododendrons burst into colour, standing out sharply against the deep, rich greenery. Fern trees and bamboo help define the garden areas and trails wind along circuitous routes through the valley.

Levant Mine

Levant Mine, which is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, stands in a superb location on the edge of a cliff near St Just. The restored 1840s steam engine supplies the power for the historic beam engine which stands at the core of the mine buildings. 

Levant Mine offers a wonderful glimpse into the mining industry which did so much to shape Cornish history. Visitors can take an underground tour of the shafts and 'dry' tunnels under the mine buildings, view the winding and pumping shafts, and see the electric winding engine.

St Michael's Mount

Situated just off the coast of Marazion, St Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s most famous landmarks. The mount has a fascinating history, a picturesque harbour, and a castle and gardens, all with panoramic views across Mount’s Bay to Land’s End and the Lizard. 

Accessible by causeway when the tide is low, or by boat at high tide, the mount is still home to a working community of local people. St Michael’s Mount provides a fantastic family day out, with something for everyone.Click here to read more about other reasons to visit Marazion and make a day of it! 

Map of National Trust locations in Cornwall

Stay with us in Cornwall

The National Trust boasts so many inspiring properties and landscapes that you’ll be spoilt for choice on your Cornwall holiday. The toughest decision will be which one to visit first! 

Browse our full collection of holiday homes online today. We have a fantastic range of large properties, dog-friendly houses, accommodation for the whole family, romantic boltholes and everything in between – come and discover the delights of Cornwall today.