From the Moor to the Sea

This part of England provides a lot of contrasts in terms of geography and architecture.  Today, we left the edge of Dartmoor with its ponies, sheep and narrow roads and drove into Cornwall to Looe with its sea, fishing boat and, yes, more narrow lanes!  It was quite a contrast.

When we left our thatched inn accommodation this morning, we headed south toward Bodmin over the moor.  The weather was dull and drizzly (a true Scotch mist but maybe here it is just a Devon mist).  The owner of the inn had told us about another National Trust property called Lanhydrock.  I had never heard of it but he recommended that we visit it on our way to Cornwall.  We had plenty of time so that is what we did.  While the house and the surrounding property are very impressive, we both enjoyed Kingston Lacy more.  From Wikipedia, here is the information about the house:

Lanhydrock House stands in extensive grounds (360 hectares or 890 acres) above the River Fowey and it has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1953.  Much of the present house dates back to Victorian times but some sections date from the 1620s.  It is a Grade I listed building and is set in gardens with formal areas.  The estate belonged to the Augustinian priory of St Petroc at Bodmin but, during the 1530s, it passed into private hands.  In 1620 wealthy merchant Sir Richard Robartes of Truro acquired the estate and began building Lanhydrock House, designed to a four-sided layout around a central courtyard and constructed of grey granite.  Robartes died in 1624 but work on the building was continued by his son John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor.  A barbican gate was added and the house was garrisoned by Parliamentary forces in August 1644.  During the 18th century the east wing of the house was demolished leaving the U-shaped plan seen today.  The Robartes family declined significantly during the First World War, including the heir Thomas Agar-Robartes, MP, who was killed in France while trying to rescue a colleague from no-man's land.  Only one descendant survives, living in a cottage on the estate.

Here are some photos of the interior and exterior of the property:

After we left there, it was not a long drive to get to Looe on the southern Cornish coast.  I have visited this fishing village a number of times before as I find it so charming and, what can I say, Cornish!  The town spans both sides of the River Looe dividing it into East and West Looe.  We are staying on the west side out on a point which overlooks Looe Island.  Our hotel has lovely views out to sea although none of the town itself.  After being away from the water for quite awhile, aside from the glimpse of the English Channel we got at Durdle Door and Budleigh Salterton, I was very happy to be back to the coast.