I visited Cornwall recently, and by chance happened to be staying near Cotehele (pronounced ‘coat-heel’). I’m ashamed to admit that I’d never heard of it but in a way that made the day even better: it felt like my own special discovery. What a beautiful and intriguing house it is – and as I happen to be writing a book set on a Tudor country estate, it was perfect for my purposes. I couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring place to visit.
Although there have clearly been changes over the years, the house still has a wonderfully Tudor feel, and walking up the narrow, twisting stairs, or turning a corner to glimpse a tiny window made it easy to imagine what it must have been like to live there then. Have a look at some of my photos below and I think you’ll see what I mean!
Today Cotehele is owned and run by the National Trust and you can find out more about the fascinating history of the house here: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele/
