Port Eliot Estate

We came here on 12 August and had the most amazing time. Coco was absolutely wonderful so informative and kind it really was a truly wonderful experience. Coco is certainly in the right job made us feel at ease and comfortable and certainly was not in a rush bearing in mind we both have health issues. We learn so much about the history of the house and enjoyed every minute. Coco mentioned about the viaduct and that was just an added bonus since we love viaducts. Simply amazing. We visited the stables coffee shop not a great choice of cakes but managed to find something and not forgetting the shandy and crisps.

A wonderful experience you must go!!!! Thank you so much Coco. We will always remember you.

We have been coming to Cornwall every year for 35 years and we didn't know about this wonderful hidden gem, we wish we had found it sooner.

Port Elliot is a privately occupied stately home in the beautiful village of St Germans and is still owned and lived in by the Elliot family.

The story of this home is astonishing, being the longest continuously occupied dwelling in the whole of the UK with a history going back over a thousand years. It truly is a national treasure.

The very progressive and exceptionally well connected ancestors of the current Earl have been involved in many major historic events including the abolition of slavery and the establishment of Harvard University. Their story is one of activism and advocacy guided by a strong sense of justice and compassion.

We were given a personal tour from a wonderful lady called Coco who took us at a leisurely pace throughout the house encompassing the state rooms, servants quarters and the incredible mural in the round room which took the artist 25 years to complete and is a mesmerising work of wonder.

I would also like to say that the guides went above and beyond to accommodate my mum who uses an electric wheelchair, often personally helping her up and down stairs whilst I carried the wheelchair.

I do not exaggerate when I state that this was the best house tour we have ever experienced and we are currently sitting in the charming stable block cafe, taking tea and cake and wondering if we have enough time to look at the gardens.

A perfect end to a perfect holiday.

👍🏻 Can’t recommend a visit to Port Eliot enough!!

Had a guided tour of the state rooms where the guide gave some fascinating insights into the family over the generations through their portraits - which was integral to how the family developed over the centuries to advocate for human rights of women, children and Native Americans and play a huge part in the abolition of slavery.

After a visit to the church I had lunch in the stables café - which, incidentally, was the setting for the 10 mile café in the first two series of Beyond Paradise.