Visiting the estate at Lanhydrock

The Countryside Code 

Enjoy spending time outside at the countryside places we care for? You can help us to keep them safe and enjoyable by following a few simple guidelines during your visit. To find out more, read the Countryside Code.

Litter  

As well as spoiling the beauty of Lanhydrock's landscape, litter can be dangerous for wildlife, which can easily become entangled or mistake it for food. Litter can also act as fuel for wildfires. 

If you have a picnic or produce any other litter during your visit, please keep hold of it until you find a bin, or take it home with you. 

Hidden history

There are some hidden historical gems to find as you explore the Lanhydrock countryside. 

Victorian swimming pool

The swimming pool was regularly used by the Victorian Agar-Robartes family; you can still see the outline of the old changing room. Today it is a haven for wildlife, including palmate newts who love to bask in the warm water by the steps. 

Deer park wall

Lanhydrock was once home to a medieval deer park. You can spot the remaining stretches at different points around the parkland.

The HaHa

The haha consists of a raised wall and ditch, designed to contain livestock without interrupting the view with ugly fences. The name is said to derive from the response whenever an unfortunate visitor failed to notice the edge and took a tumble. 

Jacob's quarry

The remains of an old tin works here on the estate, now a haven for wildlife. 

The Beech Avenue

The historic avenue was planted in celebration of the end of the Civil War. 

Mushrooms and lichens 

The many ancient and veteran trees across the estate are home to rare lichens that grow particularly well in the South West due to the damp conditions and clean air. 

Taking a gentle stroll through the Lanhydrock countryside at this time of year, you’re also likely to stumble across a troop of fresh mushrooms (a tight group of mushrooms is called a cluster, a looser group is called a troop, and scattered and irregular mushrooms are gregarious). Below are some that you can find on the estate.

Cauliflower fungus

Cauliflower fungus, also known as wood fungus or even brain fungus, is a pretty, creamy white fungus with waved filigree patterns that become browner with age. Look out for them at the base of trunks or stumps, or at the roots of conifers.

Chicken of the woods

Chicken of the woods is a bold, creamy yellow and orange fungus that grows from the trunks of oak, cherry, sweet chestnut and poisonous yew trees.

Fly agaric

A beautiful red mushroom with white spots, fly agaric can often be seen on grassy banks.

Shaggy ink cap

Shaggy ink cap, or lawyer’s wig mushroom, is unusual because it turns black soon after it's picked. Found across the estate, these stately mushrooms grow in clusters or in long lines.

Turkey tail

So named because its body resembles a plume of turkey feathers, turkey tail grows on tree bark in tiled layers.