Cornwall Historic and Architectural Properties and Gardens

Castles, Abbeys, Churches, Houses, Estates and Gardens, Industrial Heritage attractions and museums (English Heritage / National Trust / others) Along with the attractions listed on this page you may also find places of interest on the Cornwall Attractions and Nature pages. We suggest that you also visit the pages for the neighbouring county of Devon to see what else there is in the area. We support ‘Accessible Countryside for Everyone’ in providing a brief guide as to the access / facilities for the sites listed, where we have them.

Houses and Gardens: A Destination Guide from Visit Cornwall

Antony (NT) - Superb early 18th-century mansion, believed to be one of the finest surviving Queen Anne buildings in the West Country, set in parkland and fine gardens, 100 acres of woodland garden - national collection of Camellia Japonica - Wheelchair access in the buildings, Braille guide, map of accessible grounds route available, wheelchair available for visitors, accessible toilet, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/antony

Caerhays Castle - home of the Williams family, the Castle sits in 140 acres of gardens, with woodland gardens, national Magnolia and Podocarpus collections, also beaches and coastal paths, castle tours can be booked in advance, tea room, shop - Gorran, St Austell - "Some of the garden is therefore not easily or readily accessible for wheelchair users ...the area around the castle and the Green Route up the main drive which is tarmaced, is readily accessible to wheelchair users.",
www.caerhays.co.uk

Carwinion Garden - 14 acres of tranquil garden collection of bamboo, camellias and hydrangeas - Falmouth - The sensory garden was designed and planted entirely with disabled people in mind see website
/www.mawnansmith.org.uk/...

Cotehele (NT) - Tudor house, was the ancestral home to the Edgcumbe family for centuries, has superb collections of textiles, armour and furniture, gardens have formally planted terraces, Valley Garden, which includes a medieval stewpond and dovecote, Upper Garden and two orchards, Cotehele Quay, Discovery Centre, tea room - "A shuttle bus to take you around the estate in the main season... the hall, kitchen and breakfast room are wheelchair accessible", a map is available in reception for wheelchair users showing you accessible routes in the garden, two manual wheelchairs available for loan, accessible toilet
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

Eden Project - "Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to our striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events" - Bodelva, St Austell - Disabled & pushchair friendly, baby changing, "Changing Places" accessible toilet , see online access statement here
www.edenproject.com

Geevor Tin Mine - Geevor is one of the largest preserved mine sites in the country. Geevor’s outstanding collections and listed buildings tell the story of Cornwall’s industrial mining past, making it the Western Gateway to the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site - we have no disabled access info for this site
www.geevor.com

Glendurgan Garden (NT) - Falmouth - Superb subtropical garden, with special interest for families, mix of wildflower and exotic plants, maze - Grounds can be uneven, loose gravel paths, cobbled in sections, some steep slopes and steps, sensory experience, accessible toilet in toilet block accessed via a small ramp, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glendurgan-garden

Godolphin (NT) - Helston - A historic house and medieval garden all set within an ancient and atmospheric estate, 16th-century garden, engine house and stack are the remains of the Godolphin family mine, woodland walks, tea room - Grounds have limited wheelchair access due to difficult slopes and cobbled surfaces, estate has a wheelchair-accessible path near the River Hayle, accessible toilet, baby changing facilities please see the website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/godolphin

Lanhydrock (NT) - Bodmin - Magnificent late Victorian country house with gardens and wooded estate, "Discover two sides of Victorian life: from the kitchens, nurseries and servants' quarters, which offer 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", ancient woodlands, riverside paths, off-road cycle trails, with special routes for families and novice riders - Map of accessible route available. Two single-seater PMVs available, booking essential. "Four wheelchairs available for loan. Ground floor has six steps down to billiard room. Stairs to other floors, but lift available to first floor. First floor mostly level access, some steps, photo albums available", accessible toilet, baby changing facilities, please see the website for details
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock

Launceston Castle (EH) - unusual keep consisting of a 13th century round tower built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, inside an earlier circular shell-keep - "There is disabled access to the outer bailey, exhibition and shop (a side gate to the shop allows for wheelchair, mobility scooter or double buggy pushchair)"
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/launceston-castle

Lawrence House (NT) - Beautiful Georgian town house, built in 1753, Lawrence House is leased to Launceston Town Council and used as a local museum and civic centre, the museum is spread over three floors with exhibits that focus predominantly on local history including Launceston's intriguing association with Australia, Victorian kitchen, toy room, collection of costumes that date from the eighteenth century right through to the 1960s. - Wheelchair access to building, accessible toilet, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lawrence-house

Levant Mine and Beam Engine (NT) - St Just - "part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. At its heart, the restored 1840s beam engine running on steam", free guided tour of the site, .- Some uneven ground and steep slopes, Braille and large print guide available, sensory experience, induction loop, - please see their website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/levant-mine

National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Falmouth - exhibitions, objects, boats, art, books, archives, interactive and child friendly, Bartlett Library for research, The National Small Boat Collection - lift and ramp access available to all floors including the Tower and Tidal galleries, interactive exhibits and objects on open display, as well as music and oral history, which is of benefit to those with sensory impairment, 1st and 2nd floor wheelchair accessible toilets
www.nmmc.co.uk

Pencarrow - The largely Georgian mansion is still owned and occupied by descendants of the family who settled there in the 1500s, the house boasts many fine features including ornate wood panelling, a rococo ceiling, cantilever stone staircase, handsome stained glass, and many other points of interest, 50 acres of informal gardens, Italian garden, woodland, lake, events, cafe, shop - "ramps are available to allow wheelchairs access into the main House. There are seats available in most of the rooms on the tour for those who cannot stand for long periods of time. For those who cannot manage the stairs, we are able to offer access to a DVD of the upstairs part of the tour", in the garden the paths are hard, gravelly and mostly level "The more robust mobility scooters may be able to access the slopes to the lake, however the smaller less sturdy scooters may struggle to cope with the terrain"
www.pencarrow.co.uk

Pendennis Castle (EH) - This is one of the finest of the mighty fortresses built by Henry VIII to defend the country against invasion. Discover how the castle has evolved, and experience the sights and sounds of battle. Explore the fascinating new exhibition which examines the role of the castle as part of Fortress Falmouth during the First World War, Castle Keep, tours, guns and cannons, Victorian defences, Discovery Centre - "Wheelchair access to ground floor of Royal Artillery Barrack Block and lift access to the first floor which houses the Fortress Falmouth and the First World War exhibition and toilets. Wheelchair access to Discovery Centre and grounds also. Access to keep has steps and spiral staircases", Braille guides, tactile exhibits in the Discovery Centre, Induction loops are fitted at the reception, shop and tearoom till points
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle

Restormel Castle (EH) - Lostwithiel - (ruin) The great 13th century circular shell-keep of Restormel still encloses the principal rooms of the castle in remarkably good condition - "There is wheelchair access to the admissions point and disabled toilets. There are steps on the entrance path; disabled visitors may wish to call the site in advance to arrange alternative access."
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/restormel-castle

St Catherine's Castle (EH) - One of a pair of small artillery forts built by Henry VIII in the 1530s to defend Fowey Harbour, consisting of two storeys with gun ports at ground level - Fowey - The castle is only accessible on foot via a challenging walk
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/st-catherines-castle

St Michael's Mount (NT) - "this iconic rocky island is crowned by a medieval church and castle - with the oldest buildings dating from the 12th century", sub-tropical gardens - The causeway to St Michaels Mount is cobbled, Unfortunately, it’s not possible to take a wheelchair up to the Mount summit, grounds partly accessible, some cobbles, terraces, Induction loop, "Adapted disability vehicles can be driven over to the Mount at low tide to transport wheelchair users. Please contact us in advance to arrange this 01736 710265"
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/st-michaels-mount

St. Mawes Castle (EH) - "St Mawes Castle is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, and the most elaborately decorated of them all", see the 'gunners' at rest in the gun room, the 'oubliette' where prisoners were kept captive, an audio tour that brings the castle to life - There are no ramps at the site. Wheelchair access is extremely restricted, although is possible to enter the shop and courtyard
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/st-mawes-castle

Telegraph Museum"tells the story of the development of the electric and wireless telegraph and Porthcurno’s place at its centre" It all started with a single underwater cable in 1870 now a hidden network of undersea cables keeps us communicating by phone and internet. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to explore the science of light and how modern fibre optic cables work - Porthcurno - majority of the museum is accessible to all, hearing loop has been fitted at the admissions desk and there is a dropped counter providing low-level access, two lifts, an induction loop in the demonstration area and talks are delivered via microphone linked to an amplification system, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.porthcurno.org.uk/index.php

The Lost Gardens of Heligan - 200 acres of gardens and estate, plants from around the world, has the UK's only outdoor jungle of sub-tropical plants, over 300 varieties of frit and vegetables plus various wild and domestic animals - "Most of the 13-acre Northern Gardens is accessible and there is full access to the Hide (the indoor heart of our Wildlife Project), and the Steward’s House...The Jungle and Wider Estate are unfortunately not easily accessible to everyone. The gradients of the pathways to these areas are very steep" wheelchairs are available. Wheelchair Access maps available, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, "Changing Places" accessible toilet
www.heligan.com

Tintagel Castle (EH) - set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, offers dramatic views, and its fascinating ruins and stunning beach cafe make it a perfect day trip - Wheelchair access is quite limited, access is available to viewing points and the visitors centre please see the website
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/tintagel-castle

Trebah Garden – Falmouth - Cornish valley garden with over four miles of footpath, sub-tropical, 100-year-old rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, secluded beach, adventure play areas, children's trails, special events, visitor centre, cafe, shop - "Trebah Kitchen, Gallery & Garden Shops and Trebah Plant Sales are fully accessible... Approximately 80% of the garden is accessible by a suitable motorised wheelchair", tramper loan available, accessible toilets
www.trebahgarden.co.uk

Trelissick Garden (NT) - Feock, near Truro - 30 acres of tranquil varied garden, important collections of hydrangeas, rhododendrons and ginger lilies, together with woodland plants and herbaceous borders, woodland and waterside walks, beach, art gallery, café, shop - "Grounds - partly accessible, uneven and loose gravel paths, slopes, some steps. Map of accessible route available form garden entrance on request...One single-seater powered-mobility-vehicle, booking essential", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick-garden

Trengwainton Garden (NT) - Penzance - Award-winning magnolias and rhododendrons, five sections of walled gardens are crammed with tender exotic species from around the world, wooded paths follow a half-mile incline to sea views across Mount's Bay, stream garden, open meadows, kitchen garden, tea-room, shop "Approximately 75% of garden accessible to wheelchair users. Main drive is tarmac, remaining paths are gravel. Visitors using wheelchairs will need assistance from their companion...Two manual wheelchairs available, booking essential", Braille and large print guide available, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trengwainton-garden

Trerice (NT) - Newquay - "Elizabethan manor house with fine interiors and delightful garden...From wooden skittles to an enormous table and a 300 year old longcase clock, the collection on show at Trerice is of interest to visitors of all ages" - " Ground floor of building level entrance to Great Hall. First floor accessible by manual wheelchairs only.Two wheelchairs available, booking essential", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trerice/

Trewidden Garden - "the 15 acre garden incorporates a magnificent collection of over 300 Camellias and Magnolias alongside one of the largest tree fern dells in Europe...The maze of informal paths leads you around this peaceful Cornish garden with champion trees and shrubs, many of which are over 100 years old, to be discovered alongside some species of plants rarely seen grown in this country" "About half of the pathways are accessible to electric wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs are not advisable due to our pathways being topped with gravel",
www.rewiddengarden.co.uk/visitor-info