Things to do in Lanhydrock house

Published:: 08 March 2023

A view across parkland to the stone house and church at Lanhydrock, surrounded by autumnal trees — An autumn view of the house and church at Lanhydrock | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Lanhydrock is a Victorian country house packed with layers of history and family stories. Discover the lives of the Agar-Robartes children on the Family route, admire the finest rooms and show-stopping Long Gallery on the Mansion route and meet the costumed servants below stairs who cared for the house and family.

Winter closing at Lanhydrock

Please note that the house at Lanhydrock is now closed for the winter season and will re-open on 1 March 2024.

Must-sees at Lanhydrock

Whether you want to see the Long Gallery’s exquisite Jacobean plaster ceiling or admire the brilliantly preserved kitchen rooms, you’ll find it waiting to be discovered at Lanhydrock. Our Senior House and Collections Manager has selected their four favourite things for you to look out for.

The Long Gallery at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © Andreas von Einsiedel

Long Gallery ceiling

A magnificent example of 17th century craftsmanship and the jewel in Lanhydrock’s crown. Soon to be the focus of a major conservation project in 2024.

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Three routes, a hundred stories

Lanhydrock is divided into three separate house routes; choose one and take your time or visit all three:

Inspired by Lanhydrock

Inspired by Lanhydrock’s ceramic and botanical collections, renowned artist Hitomi Hosono has created 10 new pieces which will go on display along the Mansion route from Friday 1 September to Tuesday 31 October. Visit this new exhibition to see Hitomi’s ceramics amongst the high-Victorian interiors. Delve into the methods and materials to learn the story behind the creation of these exquisite works in porcelain. Find out more here

The kitchen experience

See the mechanical hub of the house, brimming with Victorian technology. Find out what it takes to produce Lady Robartes’ evening menu and how traditional Cornish clotted cream was produced in the purpose-built heated cream pans. You might even be lucky enough to meet Mrs Candy the cook and her kitchen maids in person.

The Family route

Visit the newly-refurbished nursery suite to learn about the lives of the Agar-Robartes children. A wonderful place to explore and play; take a seat in the night nursery for some quiet story time, or play games in the day nursery with Mademoiselle Ortica, the Victorian governess.

After all that fun in the nursery, it’s time to follow the Agar-Robartes children as they grow up and enter society. The Coming of Age experience explores the glamorous world of debutante balls, dancing, sports, fashion and society for the teenagers of the Victorian era.

The Dining Room at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © Hilary Daniel

Family fun in the house

As a family home there is plenty to do for younger visitors and for those who are just young at heart. You can don a fancy hat as the Agar-Robartes children once did and put on a play in the theatre room or take a ride on Punch, the resident rocking horse. Learn some dance steps (and mark your efforts out of 10) in the Bay bedroom. Meet Mrs Candy, the cook in the kitchen, experience and learn what a Victorian picnic was like and how many kinds of apple you could eat in Victorian England.

Family visitors in the kitchen Lanhydrock | © Chris Lacey

Exhibitions and more

Lanhydrock is playing host to an exciting exhibition by renowned Japanese ceramic artist Hitomi Hosono this autumn. Inspired by Lanhydrock’s ceramic and botanical collections, Hitomi has created 10 delicate pieces in her signature white porcelain to be displayed along the Mansion route. Watch this space and our social media channels for more information.