The family-owned Lewtrenchard Manor, which is set in a seemingly forgotten valley overlooking parkland to the wild tors of Dartmoor dates from the Jacobean period of the early 1600’s although a house has stood on the site since the Domesday Book. The Hotel is noted for its fine cuisine and will prove to be a wonderful base from which to explore various routes across Dartmoor, taking in breathtaking scenery, plus visiting various country houses, some privately owned and some owned by the National Trust – so members, do not forget to bring your NT cards with you!
For those wishing to stay in the area for longer and who are especially keen on gardens a visit to the internationally acclaimed Grade II* 130 acres of gardens at Caerhays Castle at Portholland near Gerrans Cornwall is not to be missed. The gardens are full of Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas and frosts permitting will be looking their spectacular best at the time of year of our Tour. Perhaps a trip to The Eden Project just a few miles down the coast from Caerhays would also be of interest.
Other attractions within a reasonable driving distance include Hartland Abbey in North Devon, the gardens of the Palladian Grade I Castle Hill set in 5,500 acres again in North Devon, Ugbrooke Park near Chudleigh, the home of the Lords Courtenay since the 14th century, plus The Marble Factory at Bovey Tracey, a fascinating and intriguing museum of toys and marbles with some wonderful working models. Other attractions within a short driving distance include the Dartmoor Prison Museum and fine Parish Church built by French prisoners of war at Princetown in the centre of the moor.
Houses we shall visit will include the Mediaeval Cotehele (NT) just over the border into Cornwall together with Buckland Abbey, the home of Sir Francis Drake where one can see the famous Drake’s drum among other interesting exhibits, the privately owned Downes House, which has been lived in by the same family in an unbroken line since 1692 plus the Fursdon Estate home of the Fursdon family since the 13th Century. In addition we shall visit the stunning gardens of The Garden House at Yelverton and drive across the centre of Dartmoor for afternoon tea at the Two Bridges Hotel.
