National Trust - Cotehele Reviews Summary

Gardens and Grounds

Pros:

• "The gardens are fabulous and the hike down the valley garden to the quay is as interesting as it is arduous."
• "Very varied areas in the grounds with wonderful orchards, formal terraces, more naturalistic valleys and views over Cornwall."
• "Fantastic, sensational gardens."
• "The gardens are great to explore."
• "The gardens were lovely."
• "Beautiful gardens with long or short walks."
• "The gardens at Cotehele are amazing and are actually free to walk around."

Cons:

• "Be warned large hill from house to quay and mill."
• "Be warned though if you park down at the river side like we did, you are in for an extremely steep walk up the road."
• "Very steep walk up to the gardens and house."
• "although when you walk down, you have to walk back up again."
• "Some walks are not pushchair or wheelchair friendly."
• "Just one point, if you bring your dog they cannot go around the formal gardens."
• "Shame the Mill isn't currently working and sign posting whilst walking the grounds is poor so it's easy to get lost and miss things."

House and Estate

Pros:

• "Lovely house and gardens."
• "Staff very knowledgeable and made the visit looking around the house more interesting."
• "Lovely house, beautiful gardens and views, lovely history behind it."
• "This is one of the most beautiful and picturesque National Trust places in Devon and Cornwall."
• "An amazing house and gardens."
• "Beautiful Manor house with interesting history dating back to the 1400."
• "Beautiful tudor house with wonderful gardens leading down to the River Tamar."

Cons:

• "Beautiful Christmas Garland on display but disappointed that only a little of the house was accessible on this visit."
• "House closed so will go again later in the year."
• "The inside of the property retains many of its original state and furnishings which is spectacular compared to other National Trust properties."
• "Interesting inside, but somewhat dark and claustrophobic in places due to the collection of tapestries."
• "The house internally is less exciting, quite dark, and unexciting."
• "We only saw two rooms of the house."
• "Disappointed really. Drove 45 mins to get there to find only one small building open and they're creating a Christmas display in it."

Facilities and Services

Pros:

• "The little Piggery was open selling refreshments which you could take away and sit on the benches under the trees."
• "Luckily the tearoom does a reviving cream tea. Also a delicious pasty."
• "The coffee shop is modern and they've got a lovely gift shop and independent art gallery where local artists showcase their work which you can buy."
• "Access to the restaurant was easy and the food and staff were excellent."
• "Good food was welcome in the bistro."
• "The main cafe/restaurant was well stocked and offered a great variety of dishes, as well as huge slices of cake."
• "Cafés are good with pleasant helpful staff and a broad menu choice."