Cotehele

From Plymouth/Callington, follow the A388 towards St Mellion. At the Vernigo Roundabout (for the St Mellion Resort) take the exit towards St Dominick. Follow the brown/white signs through the village of St Dominick. Whilst following the road you will eventually come to a crossroads, do not take the left-hand turn as suggested by some Sat Navs. Instead continue straight ahead through the village of Bohetherick. When you arrive at Cotehele Bridge and see the 'Welcome to Cotehele' sign, cross the bridge and follow the road to arrive at the lower car park at Cotehele Quay or drive up through a white gate for the upper car park near the house and garden.

Please note: from 6 - 18 December there are local road closures affecting visitors arriving from the St Mellion / A388 direction. We have been told a diversion will be in place, but likely to be down some very narrow lanes. To avoid this, at St Mellion continue following the A388 to Callington and then take the A390 towards Tavistock. When you get to the village of St Ann's Chapel, take the right turning where there is a sign for Cotehele.

From Tavistock, follow the A390 through the village of Gunnislake Continue on the main road pass the Asda Express petrol station on your left-hand side. Turn left after you see the brown sign at St Ann's Chapel and then continue to follow the brown/white signs. We recommend entering Cotehele via the A390 if you are in a large vehicle due to narrow lanes and a narrow bridge on the road from St Mellion to Cotehele.

Parking: Blue badge parking is available in the car park closest to the house. Car parking is £1 for 1 hour, £3 for 3 hours, or £5 for over 3 hours. National Trust members park for free - just scan your membership card for your free parking ticket. Machines accept coins only or you can pay via the PayByPhone app. There are no electric car charging facilities at Cotehele. The nearest charging facilities are at the St Mellion Estate, PL12 6SD. What3Words location: ///inhabited.establish.mess

Sat Nav: SatNavs love sending visitors down very narrow lanes in Cornwall, particularly those surrounding Cotehele. When you reach St Mellion (A388), Gunnislake (A390) or Callington (A390/A388) we recommend turning your SatNav off.

Cotehele is a 1½ mile walk from Calstock along the River Tamer and up a steep hill and through the woods. Follow the signs from Calstock Train Station. This route is not lit, remember to bring a torch for the late afternoons in the winter months.

The Tamara Coast to Coast walking route goes through Calstock as part of Stage 3b of the route.

Those following the Cornish / Kylgh Kernow alternative routes can follow Stage 3a of the alternative route between St Mellion and Calstock, which goes through Cotehele Quay.

The Tamar Valley Trainline (GWR, D5) provides a two-hourly service between Plymouth and Gunnislake. Either alight at Calstock Train Station and follow the 1½ mile walk, signposted from the station, along the River Tamar and up a steep hill and through the woods. Alternatively alight at Gunnislake Train Station and follow a 2 mile unmarked route to Cotehele.

If you wish to get a taxi from the train to Cotehele, it’s best to pre-book a taxi as there is no taxi rank at either station

Between Monday 2 - Friday 6 December the Tamar Valley train line will be closed due track renewal work in the Plymouth area. During this time replacement buses are planned between Plymouth and Calstock (via Gunnislake) and Plymouth and Bere Ferrers (via Bere Alston). Visit the GWR Live Network Updates page for more details and alternative transport arrangements.

Plan your train journey on the Tamar Valley Line on the Great Scenic Railways website

The closest bus stop is in the village of Calstock. Take the Go Cornwall Bus 79 (does not operate on Sundays or Bank Holidays) from Callington/Tavistock and stop at the bus stop at Calstock Quay. Follow the signs on foot from Calstock to Cotehele. The walking route is a 1½ mile walk, along the River Tamar, up a steep hill, and through the woods.

Callington has regular bus services between Plymouth, Launceston, and Bude (Go Cornwall 12), Liskeard (Go Cornwall Bus 74, no service on Sundays or Bank Holidays). Tavistock has regular bus services from Plymouth (Stagecoach Devon 1) and Okehampton (Dartline 118).

Cycle parking is available within the farm yard, close to visitor reception.

Cotehele is located within a valley, with cycle routes following a mixture of very busy and quiet roads and hills. Cotehele from Tavistock is approximately 7¾ miles, from Plymouth via Saltash it’s approximately 16¾ miles or you can go via Tavistock by following the National Cycle Network route 27 (NCN27) ‘Drakes Trail’ which is approximately 26½ miles.

Alternatively, the Tamar Valley Trainline (GWR, D5) runs a two-hourly service between Plymouth and Gunnislake where cycles are permitted. Alight at either Calstock Train Station, approximately 1¼ miles, where you will need to dismount and push your bike on the footpath, or at Gunnislake Train Station approximately 3½ miles.Please note the Tamar Valley Trainline will be closed between Monday 2 - Friday 6 December due to track renewal work in the Plymouth area.

Plan your route to Cotehele using the CycleStreets journey planner. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride it).

A few times each month Plymouth Boat Trips run cruises from the Barbican in Plymouth along the River Tamar towards Calstock. Passengers can stop off at Cotehele Quay. Passengers have approximately 1½ hours to explore Cotehele if they wish to return to Plymouth using the ferry. Visit Plymouth Boat Trips for details on timetables and ticket prices.

Tickets for the ferry can be purchased by calling Plymouth Boat Trips on 01752 253153, alternatively, tickets can be purchased before boarding at the Ticket Pavilion located in front of the Landing Stage on the Barbican in Plymouth.

We hold the Good Journey Mark for welcoming car-free visitors. Travel a greener way and enjoy a free hot drink with a valid bus or train ticket, or cycle helmet. Collect your voucher from Visitor Welcome by the house.

Plan your journey by train, bus or cycle at Good Journey.