If you can tear yourself away from this idyllic country seat, there’s no shortage of other diversions on the doorstep. The craggy tors and wide open expanse of Dartmoor National Park is almost within walking distance, and the stunning coastlines of both North and South Devon are barely 30 minutes away by car. Shopping in Exeter is only 45 minutes by car, Plymouth only 45 minutes also. Torquay and the ‘English Riviera’ is about an hour’s drive away. The enthusiastic team at Lewtrenchard have a wealth of local knowledge and will be delighted to make suggestions and help with your itineraries.

Please find a selection of attractions below to help you plan your stay:

The Eden Project

The Eden Project is a visitor attraction in the United Kingdom, including the world’s largest greenhouse. Inside the artificial biomes are plants that are collected from all around the world. The project is located in a reclaimed Kaolinite pit, located 2 kilometres (1.25 mi) from the town of St Blazey and 5 kilometres (3 mi) from the larger town of St Austell, Cornwall.

Tickets are available for this world famous attraction at reception.

The Eden Project, Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall, PL24 2SG.
Tel – 01726 811911 www.edenproject.com

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissey in Cornwall, are one of the most popular botanic gardens in the UK. The style of the gardens is typical of the nineteenth century Gardenesque style, with areas of different character and in different design styles.

The gardens boast a fabulous collection of aged and colossal rhododendrons and camellias, a series of lakes fed by a ram pump over a hundred years old, highly productive flower and vegetable gardens, an Italian garden, and a stunning wild area filled with primeval-looking sub-tropical tree ferns called “The Jungle”. The gardens also have Europe’s only remaining pineapple pit, warmed by rotting manure, and two figures made from rocks and plants known as the Mud Maid and the Giant’s Head.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, Saint Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6EN.
Tel – 01726 845100 www.heligan.com

Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge is a National Trust property situated 5 miles from Lewtrenchard Manor. The whole walk is approximately 3 miles long and provides an enchanting riverside walk to the spectacular 90ft White Lady waterfall. It is not suitable for people with heart complaints or walking disabilities, and stout shoes are recommended.

Lydford Gorge – Lydford, near Tavistock, EX20 4BH
Tel – 01822 820320 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge

Tintagel Castle

For sheer atmosphere it is tough to beat Tintagel. The 13th century castle is a romantic ruin constructed on a windswept point of rock, with waves crashing all around. The castle is surrounded by Roman and Dark Ages remains, but more thoroughly surrounded by legends of King Arthur, who is said to have been born here. Alternate legends claim that Tintagel is the site of Camelot, Arthur’s court, though that honour is also claimed by a dozen or so places throughout the British Isles!

Tintagel Castle – Bossiney Road, Tintagel, Cornwall – PL34 0HE
Tel – 01840 779200 www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/tintagel-castle

Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle is a ruined motte and bailey castle situated in Devon. The castle has Norman origins and dates from the late 11th century. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book (completed in 1086) which states that at that time it was in the possession of Baldwin de Brionne, the Sheriff of Devon.

Okehampton Castle, Castle Lodge, Okehampton, Devon – EX20 1JA
Tel – 01837 52844 www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/okehampton-castle

Tate Modern in St Ives

Tate Modern St Ives is undoubtedly Cornwall’s best known art gallery, situated in a glorious location overlooking the stunning Porthmeor Beach.

The Tate not only shows the best of 20th Century art in the areas and atmosphere in which it was created, but also has changing exhibitions of the best of contemporary Cornish art.

Tate Modern St Ives, Porthmeor Beach,St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 1TG
Tel – 01736 796226 www.tate.org.uk/stives

National Maritime Museum in Falmouth

The National Maritime Museum, housed in an award-winning building on the Falmouth harbour-side, transports you into the world of small boats and Cornish maritime history.
Overlooking all of the hustle and bustle of Falmouth harbour, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall has been designed to reflect the relationship that has always existed between Cornwall and the sea using uniquely inspiring, interactive displays of boats and their place in the Cornish people’s lives.

National Maritime Museum, Discovery Quay Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 3QY
Tel – 01326 313 388 www.nmmc.co.uk

Buckland Abbey

Tucked away in its own secluded valley above the River Tavy, Buckland Abbey is almost as peaceful now as it would have been some 700 years ago when it was a small but influential Cistercian monastery on the edge of Dartmoor.

The house, incorporating the remains of the 13th-century abbey church, has rich associations with Sir Francis Drake and his seafaring rival, Sir Richard Grenville, containing much interesting memorabilia from their time.

Buckland Abbey, encompasses both architectural and historical interest as well as idyllic gardens for relaxation, a magnificent monastic barn, herb garden, delightful estate walks and craft workshops.

Buckland Abbey, Yelverton, PL20 6EY
Tel – 01822 853607 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey

Lanhydrock

Buried in the seclusion of the densely wooded Fowey valley and surrounded by hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland, Lanhydrock is eventually sighted after a good downhill walk through the attractive grounds. Lanhydrock is one of the most fascinating and complete late 19th-century houses in England and as you would expect, it is full of period atmosphere.

The gatehouse and north wing with magnificent 32yd-long gallery with plaster ceiling have survived from the 17th century, however the rest of the house was rebuilt following a disastrous fire in 1881.
The garden has a stunning collection of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias, and offers fine colours right through into the autumn. All this is set in a glorious estate of 900 acres of woods and parkland running down to the enchanting River Fowey, with an extensive network of winding footpaths.

Lanhydrock, Bodmin, PL30 5AD.
Tel – 01208 265950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock

Cotehele

At the heart of this splendid riverside estate sits the granite and slatestone medieval house of Cotehele, with many intimate chambers featuring large Tudor fireplaces and rich hangings. The house was built mainly between 1485 and 1627 and was home to the Edgcumbe family for centuries.
The formal gardens overlook the richly planted valley garden below, with medieval dovecote, stewpond and Victorian summer house, and 18th-century tower above.
Then there’s the steeply terraced garden with pools, dovecote and the Prospect Tower, a working watermill and adjoining estate workshops, industrial ruins in the Danescombe Valley and the Quay.
Interesting old buildings house the Edgcumbe Arms tea-room and an outstation of the National Maritime Museum. The restored Tamar sailing barge ‘Shamrock’ is moored alongside.

Cotehele, St Dominick, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 6TA
Tel – 01579 351346 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

Castle Drogo

The dramatic Dartmoor setting of this National Trust property can be appreciated from the delightful formal gardens and walks. Commissioned by retail tycoon Julius Drewe, and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the castle harks back to a romantic past, and now offers a recently improved visitor centre and cafe.

Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton, near Exeter, EX6 6PB
Tel 01647 433306 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

The Tarka Trail

The Tarka Trail, over 180 miles in length taking a looping route through North and Mid Devon, from the rugged Atlantic Coast, the Estuaries of the Two Rivers of Tarka the Otter fame, the Rivers Taw and Torridge, through rural Devon Countryside onto the Northern Slopes of Dartmoor, and the source of the River Taw.

The Trail between Barnstaple, down the Taw, upriver to Bideford, following the Torridge to Torrington takes the route of a disused railway line and is particularly suited for both cyclists and walkers.