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Cotehele House 
ca-TEAL
Saltash, Cornwall, England
Started 1485
Completed 1627
Status: Fully Extant
ca-TEAL
Saltash, Cornwall, England
Started 1485
Completed 1627
Status: Fully Extant
Special Info / Location/ Date
Special Info
Phonetic Pronunciation of House Name
ca-TEAL
Location
Country
England
District Today
Cornwall
Historic County
City / Town / Village
Saltash
Latitude
50.41114
Longitude
-4.22837
Date
Start Date
1485
Completion Date
1627
Circa Date
Images
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Architects
There are no architects associated with this house.
Extant / Listed / References
Extant
Extant Type
Fully Extant
Extant Details
Listed
House Listed As
Unknown
Gardens Listed As
Unknown
On SAVE Britain's Heritage's List of Buildings at Risk
No
Country House: Yes
References
Vitruvius Britannicus
Vitruvius Scoticus
J.B. Burke (Burke's Visitation of Seats)
Country Life
XVII, 822, 1905. LVI, 324, 360, 1924.
J.P. Neale (Neale's Views of Seats)
Access / Ownership / Seat
Access
Open to Public Please note: Houses listed as being open "By Appointment" are usually country house hotels or B&Bs.
Yes
Historic Houses Association Member
Phone Number If calling from the U.S., delete the first "0" in British numbers.
01579-351-346
Fax Number
01579-351-222
Email
Website
Awards
Current Ownership
Current Ownership Type
The National Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use
Visitor Attraction
Current Ownership Use / Details
Seat ("Seat" is loosely defined
as any family that occupied the house for a period of 2 years or more)
Today Seat of
A Past Seat(s) of
Edgcumbe family, for almost 600 years.
Possible (Unsure) Seat of
History / Gardens & Park / Movies
History
Earlier House(s) / Building(s)
House Replaced By
Built / Designed For
House & Family History
Cotehele was the home of the Edgecumbe family for almost 600 years. The first manor here was begun by Sir Richard Edgecumbe in 1490, though it was left to his son to complete the house in 1520. Subsequent generations of Edgecumbes did not alter the structure of the house, and today Cotehele is one of the most complete medieval manors in England. The house retains such a link to its past that even today it does not have electricity, so visitors are advised to avoid dull, or overcast days! Cotehele was the Edgecumbe family seat until the 17th century, when they moved to Mount Edgecumbe, but the house stayed in the family until given to the National Trust in 1949.
The house is composed of intimate medieval rooms built around three courtyards. The Great Hall has a superb timber ceiling, and boasts an enjoyable collection of arms and armour. The tower, which contains 3 bedrooms, was built in 1620. Charles I is said to have stayed here. (This history kindly provided by Britain Express: http://www.britainexpress.com. The UK Travel and Heritage Guide).
Collections
This field lists art objects that are currently or were previously in the collection of the house.
For information on the history of British currency, click here. To use a chart that allows you to compare the purchasing power of money In Great Britain from 1264 to any other year, including the present, click here. To use a currency conversion to see the current value of the British pound, click here.
For information on the history of British currency, click here. To use a chart that allows you to compare the purchasing power of money In Great Britain from 1264 to any other year, including the present, click here. To use a currency conversion to see the current value of the British pound, click here.
Cotehele has a superb collections of textiles, armor, and furniture.
Comments
Gardens & Park
Garden, Park, Follies and Outbuildings
The house is set in extensive parks and woodlands, with enjoyable riverside walks throughout. Closer to the house are terraced formal gardens with a domed medieval dovecote, and a working corn mill.
Below the house a path leads to the Quay, where a museum built with the aid of the National Maritime Museum explores the history of the Tamar. A traditional Tamar sailing barge is moored at the Quay. (This history kindly provided by Britain Express: http://www.britainexpress.com. The UK Travel and Heritage Guide).
Chapel & Church
The chapel dates from the 15th century. Within the chapel, in its original placement, is the oldest working domestic clock in England, installed in 1489.
Movies
Location for Movies / TV
"Twelfth Night" (1996 - as the quayside tavern and the interior of Orsini's castle)
Bibliography
Related Resources
There are no documents associated with this house.
