Skip to content

Eating and shopping at Cotehele

Visitors looking at crafts within the Bull Pen Gallery at Cotehele
Browsing arts and crafts within the Bull Pen Gallery at Cotehele | © Trevor Ray Hart

It wouldn’t be a National Trust visit without a break for cake, and Cotehele has plenty of options. Stop by The Barn Restaurant or The Edgcumbe for a cream tea, grab an ice cream from the kiosk on Cotehele Quay, or find the perfect picnic spot on the estate. Elsewhere, Cotehele's shops are a great place to pick up a gift or a plant, and you can discover local artists at The Bull Pen Gallery.

Eating at Cotehele

The Barn Restaurant

Stop by The Barn Restaurant, which serves a selection of drinks, cakes, cream teas and snacks throughout the day. The lunch menu from noon to 2.30pm includes hot meals, sandwiches and light bites.

The Edgcumbe at Cotehele Quay

Enjoy a break at The Edgcumbe on the historic Cotehele Quay, which serves tea, coffee, hot chocolate, pasties and tasty treats.

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free.

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.

Thank you

Every cuppa or tasty treat you buy helps us to continue looking after places for everyone to enjoy.

Picnic blankets, reusable cups and colourful backpacks
Shop sustainable gifts including reusable cups and ROKA backpacks | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Picnics at Cotehele

You’re welcome to enjoy a picnic on the quay or in the picnic area by the Cherry Orchard. The Barn Restaurant and The Edgcumbe are open for any last-minute picnic essentials, such as hot and cold drinks, and snacks.

Please take any litter away with you, and be aware that the use of barbecues is not permitted anywhere on the Cotehele estate, including Cotehele Quay or in the car parks.

Shopping at Cotehele

Cotehele has several shops to discover. The shop and plant centre is the perfect place to buy a treat for yourself or a gift for a friend. Meanwhile, The Bull Pen Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting and selling the work of local artists, and the bookshop stocks quality second-hand tomes.

The shop and plant centre

Our shop and plant centre is open daily, with year-round inspiration for gifts and souvenirs. Create an eco-friendly home with our sustainable products, which range from beeswax food wraps to recycled-plastic blankets and natural household cleaners.

There’s also a unique selection of foods inspired by the local area, including Cornish cider, jam, fudge and chutney. Have a look at the scarves and shoppers designed with unique prints.

Take home a little of Cotehele’s garden with something from the plant centre. There are also sculptures and furniture to enhance your own garden and recall your visit to this special place.

Visitors reading books in the second-hand bookshop at The Argory, County Armagh
Visitors reading books in the second-hand bookshop | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

The Bull Pen Gallery

The Bull Pen Gallery can be found in one of the old farm buildings, next to The Barn Restaurant. We're proud to support the work of West Country artists through exhibiting and selling their work.

The Bull Pen Gallery supports the Own Art scheme. This national initiative helps people to buy British art and crafts by spreading the cost over several months. Next time you’re in the gallery, please ask the team if you’d like more details.

Here are some of the artists currently exhibiting in The Bull Pen Gallery:

Les Grimshaw

Specialising in contemporary jewellery, Les creates designs using coloured gold and silver. A combintation of reticulation and fusing contributes to his unique range of rings and has earned a reputation throughout Devon and Cornwall for creative integrity and skilled craftsmanship.

Whittle Design

From their Plymouth workshop, Kerry and Natalie Whittle work with metals to create new forms, textures and colours. They’ve created a range of items, such as mirrors and sculptures.

Ian Pethers

Ian Pethers was inspired to paint and illustrate while on holiday in Cornwall. Now in the Tamar Valley, his oil paintings continue to be inspired by the local area and coastline.

The second-hand bookshop at Cotehele

Find hundreds of quality donated books in the second-hand bookshop, located within Retainers’ Court. It’s run by volunteers, and every time you buy a book you will help care for Cotehele, Cotehele Mill and Cadsonbury nearby.

Last year with your support, through both donating and purchasing books, more than £9,000 was raised. All funds contribute to the vital conservation work at Cotehele, making sure the estate will be looked after for everyone, for ever.

Thank you

It is through your purchases and support that we are able to continue to care for nature, beauty and history for everyone, for ever.

A giant apple made of apples outside the house at Cotehele

Discover more at Cotehele

Find out when Cotehele is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

Two visitors holding sitting at an outdoor table holding coffee mugs, surrounded by garden greenery

Places to eat 

Discover some of the best cafés, restaurants and tea-rooms located at National Trust places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Summer shop display at Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire

Treat yourself 

Looking for the perfect gift or perhaps you're in need of some retail therapy? You can browse our full range via our online shop.

Two shelves filled with books of the second-hand bookshop at Paycocke's House, Essex
Article
Article

Second-hand bookshops 

Pick up a book from a second-hand bookshop to keep or share. Every purchase will raise funds for conservation projects at the places in our care.

The Quay on the Tamar River at dawn, at Cotehele, near Saltash, Cornwall
Article
Article

Exploring the Cotehele estate 

There's lots to discover at the Cotehele estate. Miles of pathways lead you through ancient woodland, past a historic chapel, and to an important Victorian quay.

Visitors walking dogs in the woodland at Blickling, Norfolk
Article
Article

Visiting Cotehele with your dog 

Dogs are welcome to join you at Cotehele. There are miles of paths and loads of space where they can stretch their legs and bowls of clean water once they’re thirsty. Cotehele is a two pawprint rated place.

One visitor poses for a photo in front of a garden wall in the gardens at Cotehele, Cornwall
Article
Article

Visiting Cotehele's garden 

Take a stroll around the 5.5 hectares of Cotehele's garden where you’ll discover terraced herbaceous borders, a lily pond as well as a medieval stewpond and dovecote.

Visitors in the Great Hall at Cotehele, Cornwall
Article
Article

The history of Cotehele 

Uncover centuries of Cotehele’s history, from a medieval home, developed after the Battle of Bosworth to a family estate given to the National Trust after the Second World War.

A young child peaking at cookies and scones on a table

Places to eat in Cornwall 

We've picked a few favourite cafés and food outlets for you to visit and refuel after your adventures. Tuck into delicious meals and snacks, often handmade using seasonal ingredients. There's plenty of choice for the whole family to enjoy.