Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±

Caerhays Castle

© ian woolcock/Shutterstock

Caerhays Castle

South Cornwall


On the hills above the gentle crescent of Porthluney Beach, this crenellated country mansion was originally built for the Trevanions and later remodelled under the guidance of John Nash (who designed Buckingham Palace and Brighton Pavilion). The house is still a private residence, and is open for guided tours in spring, while the gardens are worth visiting for their wonderful displays of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias.

A WWII pillbox can still be seen on the right-hand side of the beach. The house is on a narrow road between Portholland and Gorran Churchtown; it’s reasonably well signposted, but you might find a map comes in handy.


Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby South Cornwall attractions

1. Hemmick Beach

1.59 MILES

This perfect pocket of golden sand lies to the west of Dodman Point, between Penare and Boswinger. The access road is steep and narrow, and parking next…

2. Dodman Point

2.39 MILES

Thrusting into the English Channel, the Dodman (or the rather more macabre Deadman, as it's nicknamed by shipwreck-wary sailors) is the highest headland…

3. Portloe

2.5 MILES

There's nothing much to this coastal village, other than a cluster of cottages, a couple of fishing boats and a cobbled slipway, but that's all part of…

4. Gorran Haven

2.55 MILES

There's not much to see in this sleepy south-coast village, save for a smattering of seasonal shops and tea-rooms, but the seaside setting is undeniably…

5. Vault Beach

2.66 MILES

For acres of sand near Mevagissey, Vault is the choice, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. The walk down from the nearby NT car park is long and steep;…

6. Lost Gardens of Heligan

3.48 MILES

This is Cornwall's real-life secret garden. Formerly the family estate of the Tremaynes, Heligan's magnificent 19th-century gardens fell into disrepair…

7. Veryan

3.67 MILES

Veryan is a sleepy country village, home to a couple of art galleries and an excellent village pub. At the top of the hill above the village are its best…

8. Carne & Pendower

4.67 MILES

These twin side-by-side beaches form one of the Roseland's largest areas of sand at low tide. It's brilliant for beachcombing and rock-pooling – look out…