Cotehele

Main Car Park - what3words: ///could.visual.shadowing 

Map

Directions via Google Maps

Car-free

We hold the Good Journey Mark for welcoming car-free visitors. Travel a greener way and enjoy a free hot drink with a valid bus or train ticket, or cycle helmet. Collect your voucher from Visitor Welcome by the house.

Plan your journey by train, bus or cycle at Good Journey.

By train

The Tamar Valley Trainline (GWR, D5) provides a two-hourly service between Plymouth and Gunnislake. Either alight at Calstock Train Station and follow the 1½ mile walk, signposted from the station, along the River Tamar and up a steep hill and through the woods, or you can catch the ferry from Calstock Quay to Cotehele Quay. Alternatively alight at Gunnislake Train Station and follow a 2 mile unmarked route to Cotehele.

If you wish to get a taxi from the train to Cotehele, it’s best to pre-book a taxi as there is no taxi rank at either station

Plan your train journey on the Tamar Valley Line on the Great Scenic Railways website

By ferry

From Calstock, Ferry Farm, the Calstock Ferry is available to visitors, providing a service along the scenic waterfront of the village to Cotehele Quay. Depending on ferry times, they can return to Calstock by ferry or by foot.

We advise visitors to check the Calstock Ferry website for the timetable ahead of travelling. Visit Calstock Ferry for timetables and ticket information. To avoid waiting for the ferry either at Calstock or Cotehele Quay call the ferry on 07783 432280 to ensure prompt collection.

From the Barbican in Plymouth, Plymouth Boat Trips run a cruise a few times each month, starting in Plymouth and along the River Tamar towards Calstock. Passengers can stop off at Cotehele Quay. Passengers have approximately 1½ hours to explore Cotehele if they wish to return to Plymouth using the ferry. Visit Plymouth Boat Trips for details on timetables and ticket prices.

Tickets for this ferry can be purchased by calling Plymouth Boat Trips on 01752 253153, alternatively, tickets can be purchased before boarding at the Ticket Pavilion located in front of the Landing Stage on the Barbican in Plymouth.

By bus

The closest bus stop is in the village of Calstock. Take the Go Cornwall Bus 79 (does not operate on Sundays or Bank Holidays) from Callington/Tavistock and stop at the bus stop at Calstock Quay. Follow the signs on foot from Calstock to Cotehele. The walking route is a 1½ mile walk, along the River Tamar, up a steep hill, and through the woods or you can catch the ferry from Calstock Quay to Cotehele Quay.

Callington has regular bus services between Plymouth (Go Cornwall Bus 12), Launceston (Go Cornwall Bus 76A), Liskeard (Go Cornwall Bus 74, no service on Sundays or Bank Holidays). Tavistock has regular bus services from Plymouth and Yelverton (Stagecoach South West 1) and Okehampton (Stagecoach South West 118).

On foot

Cotehele is a 1½ mile walk from Calstock along the River Tamer and up a steep hill and through the woods. Follow the signs from Calstock Train Station. This route is not lit, remember to bring a torch for the late afternoons in the winter months.

The Tamara Coast to Coast walking route goes through Calstock as part of Stage 3b of the route.

Those following the Cornish / Kylgh Kernow alternative routes can follow Stage 3a of the alternative route between St Mellion and Calstock, which goes through Cotehele Quay.

Cycling

Cycle parking is available within the farm yard, close to visitor reception.

Cotehele is located within a valley, with cycle routes following a mixture of very busy and quiet roads and hills. Cotehele from Tavistock is approximately 7¾ miles, from Plymouth via Saltash it’s approximately 16¾ miles or you can go via Tavistock by following the National Cycle Network route 27 (NCN27) ‘Drakes Trail’ which is approximately 26½ miles.

Alternatively, the Tamar Valley Trainline (GWR, D5) runs a two-hourly service between Plymouth and Gunnislake where cycles are permitted. Alight at either Calstock Train Station, approximately 1¼ miles, where you will need to dismount and push your bike on the footpath, or at Gunnislake Train Station, approximately 3½ miles.

Plan your route to Cotehele using the CycleStreets journey planner. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride it).

By road

From Plymouth/Callington, follow the A388 towards St Mellion. At the Vernigo Roundabout (for the St Mellion Resort) take the exit towards St Dominick. Follow the brown/white signs through the village of St Dominick. Whilst following the road you will eventually come to a crossroads, do not take the left-hand turn as suggested by some Sat Navs. Instead, continue straight ahead through the village of Bohetherick. When you arrive at Cotehele Bridge and see the 'Welcome to Cotehele' sign, cross the bridge and follow the road to arrive at the lower car park at Cotehele Quay or drive up through a white gate for the upper car park near the house and garden.

From Tavistock, follow the A390 through the village of Gunnislake. Continue on the main road past the Asda Express petrol station on your left-hand side. Turn left after you see the brown sign at St Ann's Chapel and then continue to follow the brown/white signs.

Arriving in a large vehicle such as a Coach or Caravan? We recommend driving to Cotehele via the A390 if you are in a large vehicle due to narrow lanes and a narrow bridge on the road from St Mellion to Cotehele.

Parking: Blue badge parking is available in the car park closest to the house. Car parking is £1.50 for 1 hour, £3 for 4 hours, or £6 for over 4 hours. National Trust members park for free - just scan your membership card for your free parking ticket. Machines accept coins only, or you can pay via the JustPark.

Sat Nav: SatNavs love sending visitors down very narrow lanes in Cornwall, particularly those surrounding Cotehele. When you reach St Mellion (A388), Gunnislake (A390) or Callington (A390/A388) we recommend turning your SatNav off.