Visiting the estate at Lanhydrock

The Countryside Code

Enjoy spending time outside at the countryside places we care for? You can help us to keep them safe and enjoyable by following a few simple guidelines during your visit. To find out more, read the Countryside Code.

Litter

As well as spoiling the beauty of Lanhydrock's landscape, litter can be dangerous for wildlife, which can easily become entangled or mistake it for food. Litter can also act as fuel for wildfires.

If you have a picnic or produce any other litter during your visit, please keep hold of it until you find a bin, or take it home with you.

Hidden history

There are some hidden historical gems to find as you explore the Lanhydrock countryside.

Victorian swimming pool

The swimming pool was regularly used by the Victorian Agar-Robartes family; you can still see the outline of the old changing room. Today it is a haven for wildlife, including palmate newts who love to bask in the warm water by the steps.

Deer park wall

Lanhydrock was once home to a medieval deer park. You can spot the remaining stretches at different points around the parkland.

The HaHa

The haha consists of a raised wall and ditch, designed to contain livestock without interrupting the view with ugly fences. The name is said to derive from the response whenever an unfortunate visitor failed to notice the edge and took a tumble.

Jacob's quarry

The remains of an old tin works here on the estate, now a haven for wildlife.

The Beech Avenue

The historic avenue was planted in celebration of the end of the Civil War.

Wildlife

Lanhydrock is home to hundreds of different wildlife species, some common, others quite rare.

Bats

The estate is the best place in Cornwall to spot bats, with 13 of the UK's 18 species recorded here. If you’re exploring the estate at dusk, you’re sure to see them flitting about.

Butterflies and bees

A 'corridor' of pollinator-friendly grasses and wildflowers at Lanhydrock helps bees and butterflies to find the plants and flowers they need to thrive.

During the summer months, the parkland is full of butterfly species, including meadow brown, painted lady, orange tip, large white, tortoiseshell, speckled wood, gatekeeper, common blue, ringlet and large skipper.

Frogs, tadpoles and newts

The swimming pool is home to frogs, tadpoles and palmate newts. These newts are the smallest UK species, and are usually found in shallow acidic ponds on heaths and moorland. It’s unusual to find them in woodland and in such deep water.

However, this part of Cornwall used to be covered in moorland, so perhaps the descendants of the newts that thrived back then have managed to keep a stronghold in the swimming pool.

Logs and felled trees

You may notice logs and felled trees as you walk around the estate. Standing and deadwood timber is left in place as it’s a great wildlife habitat. In fact, a dead tree can provide a home or food source for hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates.

Oil beetles

The area near the swimming pool is a good place to spot oil beetles. These rare creatures grow very big so are easy to spot.

Be careful if you try to touch them. Not only are they rare in the UK (several types are completely extinct), but they squirt out an oily substance when disturbed, which can really sting.