The house was heavily bombed during the Plymouth Blitz in 1941, leading to a complete internal reconstruction in the late 1950s.
The estate contains a dedicated 'National Camellia Collection' and a 'National Collection of Stachyurus'.
The gardens include a 'Folly' structure and an 'Amphitheatre' that date back to the 18th-century landscaping phase.
The estate remains one of the oldest landscaped parks in Cornwall.
The house exterior retains much of its original 16th-century Tudor footprint despite internal alterations.
Mount Edgcumbe House is a Tudor-style manor built in 1547, serving as the former seat of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe. The 865-acre estate occupies the Rame Peninsula and features Grade I listed gardens including an 18th-century English landscape park. The house contains an extensive collection of portraits, period furniture, and porcelain, much of which was restored following a major fire in 1941. The grounds encompass formal Italian, French, and English gardens, along with significant coastal woodland. The estate is jointly managed by Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council. It serves as a gateway to the South West Coast Path. The site provides views across the Hamoaze and the Plymouth Sound.
The terrace in front of the house providing a panoramic vista across the Plymouth Sound toward the city skyline.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to traverse the coastal paths and sloping garden terrain.
Check the ferry schedule from Plymouth Barbican, as it provides the most direct access to the estate.
Allocate extra time to walk the coastal perimeter, which offers significantly different views than the formal gardens.
Attempting to see the entire 865-acre estate on foot without planning a route, as the topography involves steep coastal hills.
The house typically operates on a seasonal basis, often closing during winter months, while the country park remains accessible year-round.
Keep dogs on leads in the formal garden areas and adhere to designated paths to protect rare plant species.
