National Trust Cotehele

Whether it’s exploring the estate, visiting the mill and quay by the Tamar, exploring the formal gardens and orchard or visiting the historic house, National Trust Cotehele provides a rich variety of experiences, and Tramper hire now makes it easy to access this hillside setting.

Exploring the Estate

The Tramper (all terrain mobility scooter) is available to hire from visitor reception by the main house (at the top of the hill). You then have a choice of exploring the options at the top of the hill or heading down to the attractions at the bottom.

• Top of the Hill – Enjoy exploring the Upper Garden which has an appeal in all seasons, or look over the terraced gardens to the eastern side of the house. The 12 acres of orchards are another area not to be missed, whether it’s the Old Orchard, featuring a range of different fruit trees, or the Mother Orchard, planted to provide a set of ‘mother trees’ that can be used for the selection of future varieties for both domestic and commercial use. Here you’ll find more than 300 trees and 125 different heritage varieties of apple tree including Cornish Honeypinnick, Limberlimb, Pig’s Nose and Lemon Pippin.
• Bottom of the Hill – The Tramper will take all the effort out of the hill between the main house and the riverside. Although now a tranquil spot, the Quay once bustled with life as local industries used it to transport goods to and from Plymouth and visitors came by paddle steamer to see the area’s orchards. After you’ve explored the quay, you can head along the river and through the woods to Cotehele Mill where you can step back in time to see the watermill grinding local grain, watch a demonstration of baking or visit the artisan workshops. Heading in the opposite direction from the quay takes alongside the river to Chapel-in-the-Wood.

Hiring the Tramper

The Tramper is available to hire from the main visitor reception at the top of the hill. 

Advance booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Either call 01579 352731 or email cotehele@nationaltrust.org.uk 

If you are a first time user the team will provide you with a short induction to the Tramper and set up your Countryside Mobility membership.

There is no hire fee at this location (although donations towards improving accessibility are welcome). 

For opening times please visit this page.