Located in a secluded site high above the W bank of the River Tamar 14 miles NW of Plymouth, Cotehele retains its original character.
The square, outer gateway tower entrance leads into the manor house set around a quadrangle, with a retainers' court to the W and a smaller kitchen court at the rear. The red sandstone fabric of the earlier medieval house can still be seen in some of the walls, small windows in the S and W ranges, and a door in the courtyard to the left of the chapel window. The Tudor buildings are of brown and grey slatestone rubble with granite dressings.
Probable performance venue. Although relevant family papers do not survive, entertainers belonging to the Edgcumbe family are known to have performed elsewhere in the SW in the 16th c.
Now owned by the National Trust. Open to the public at specified times.
1353 Estate acquired by William de Edgcumbe via marriage with Hilaria de Cothele.
1485 Sir Richard Edgcumbe began substantial rebuilding, including the barn and chapel.
1489 Sir Piers Edgcumbe continued his father's work, adding the great hall and gabled W cross-wing.
ca. 1553 Edgcumbe family made Mount Edgcumbe their primary residence although Cotehele continued in use.
1560 Further additions by Richard Edgcumbe II, including the tower gatehouse and 3-storey NW tower.
1620 Building completed.
1650s Further improvements by Col. Piers Edgcumbe.
late 17th c. No longer favoured as a residence.
ca 1862 E range of the house remodelled for the dowager Countess of Mount Edgcumbe with sensitivity for its historic character.
1947 Cotehele, with its 17th and 18th c. furnishings, acquired by the National Trust as part of the settlement of death duties between the 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and the Treasury.
REED Devon 135, 235, 238, 250; Dorset/Cornwall 473
| Name | Dates | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Edgcumbe, Piers | 1477-1539 | Knight |
| Edgcumbe, Piers | 1536-1608 |
