An unpretentious family home

When Thomas Charles refashioned Lanhydrock after a fire in 1881 he wanted to create 'an unpretentious family home'. While his idea of everyday comfort might be different from our own, there is no doubting the family is at the very heart of this house.

There's a whole suite of rooms dedicated to the children, family photographs throughout and the morning room was even used by the children as a performance space for annual plays and theatricals.

All mod-cons

After the 1881 fire Thomas Charles filled Lanhydrock with the latest technology. Look out for state-of-the-art ovens and warming cupboards in the kitchen and dining areas, central heating systems and fire hydrants.

Upstairs, downstairs

See the fascinating contrast between the upstairs and downstairs worlds as you explore the kitchens and servants' quarters as well as the grand family spaces.

Fast facts

Find out more about some of the interesting objects in our collection, selected by our knowledgeable room guides. From kitchen appliances to portraiture, you're sure to learn something new this year.

Our cast of characters

You can find out all about the people who lived and worked at Victorian Lanhydrock through their portraits, photographs, letters and possessions. Look out for the new frames filled with stories of the family and their servants and see how you 'measure up' to family members by standing next to their life-size figures around the house. Can you guess why Thomas Charles was known as 'Little Lordy'?

Not to be missed...

• The display of the Lanhydrock Atlas in the museum
• The extensive kitchen area, where every job had its own workplace
• The servants' quarters - see where the workers slept
• The glorious plasterwork in the gallery and beyond
• World War One artefacts in Tommy's Bedroom and the museum
• A book in our library that once belonged to Henry VIII and was used to help him annul a marriage