Located on the scenic Rame peninsula overlooking the River Tamar and Plymouth Sound to the city of Plymouth beyond. Spectacular landscaped grounds surround the house, rebuilt according to its original 16th c. design after a devastating fire during the bombing of Plymouth harbour in 1941.
A square block residence of red sandstone with granite dressings, retaining the 18th c. octagonal corner towers and featuring a distinctive tall central hall lit by clerestory windows. Innovative in the mid-Tudor period for its design and indicative of the gentry family's wealth.
Probable performance venue. Although relevant family papers do not survive, entertainers belonging to Sir Peter Edgcumbe are known to have appeared in Plymouth in the late 16th c.
Now owned by the Cornwall County Council and Plymouth City Council. Open to the public at specified times from late March to the end of September.
1493 Part of the dower lands brought by Joan Durnford in her marriage to Peter Edgcumbe of Cotehele.
1515 Sir Peter Edgcumbe created a deer park on the site known as West Stonehouse.
1547--50 House built by Roger Palmer of Devon to the design of Sir Richard Edgcumbe, possibly influenced by fashionable trends from the continent at court represented by the banqueting house at Nonsuch (Jope, 'Cornish Houses' 211).
1644 Outbuildings and banqueting hall set on fire by parliamentary forces but the house was not taken.
1664 Improvements made to the house and grounds, including a new entrance, larger windows and single-storey W wing extension in the neoclassical style.
early 18th c. Hall renovated in neoclassical style. Round corner towers replaced by octagonal towers with tall granite ogival windows.
by 1790 Single-storey W wing replaced by a larger 2-storey wing.
19th c. Further renovations made.
1941 Almost destroyed by incendiary bombs during World War II. The 18th c. towers and 16th c. outer walls remained largely intact but the interior was gutted.
1958--64 House reconstructed but without the 18th W wing. Central hall rebuilt but without its original tower. Edgcumbe family resumed occupation of the rebuilt home.
1971 7th Earl of Edgcumbe sold the house and 865 acres of land to the Cornwall County Council and Plymouth City Council for use as a county park.
REED Devon 235, 238, 250
| Name | Dates | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Edgcumbe, Piers | 1536-1608 |
