June 8th – Today’s tour was to the Victorian Lanhydrock estate. Joining us were my cousins Marilyn and Peter, from Plymouth. It was fun to see them again so soon after our stay with them last summer. Who knew we’d be back so soon!

Lanhydrock was the family home of the Agar-Robartes family.  A devastating fire in 1881 destroyed much of the east wing, which was subsequently rebuilt. The home provides a fine example of Victorian family life and once again reflects the devastation that WWI brought to wealthy families. When we arrived a guide was just beginning a brief lecture on the history of the estate, which provided an excellent background for our visit. The house tour was done in three phases as we first broke for lunch and then for a garden tour. Descriptions in the self-guided tour provided interesting information not only on family life but also life below stairs for those who worked for the family. Of interest in the house was the plaster ceiling in the Long Gallery which depicted various bible stories and would have been used as a teaching tool for the children.

The estate includes the house and gardens as well as the church of St Hydrock, which dates back to the 1500s. There is also an extensive parkland with cycling and walking trails.

The garden design is largely as it was in the 1860s with an emphasis on a collection of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias. A lovely perennial garden, with a fresh water stream, was just beginning to blossom. The guide was excellent and we enjoyed the hour we spent with him. I think this was one of my favourite sites on this vacation.

Marilyn and Peter joined us back at the house for dinner and conversation. We’re still working on encouraging them to visit Canada sometime soon.