Antony
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Beautifully situated overlooking the River Lynher, this elegant stately home and estate has been the home of the Carew family for over 600 years. Recently used for the filming of "Alice in Wonderland" it offers a look behind the scenes at the filming of this Disney classic.
The best way to reach Antony is by boat, crossing from Plymouth on the Torpoint ferry to avoid the 22-mile drive over the Tamar Bridge and along the winding lanes of the Torpoint peninsula.
The silver-grey stone house sits on the crest of a hill behind a fine wrought iron gateway. Antony house was built of Pentewan stone in 1718 by Sir William Carew. The colonnaded wings around the courtyard were added later
and were probably designed by James Gibb.
The modest family home has Dutch oak-panelled rooms which are crammed full of high quality antiques, ceramics and paintings, some by Joshua Reynolds, another local resident. It has just five elegant bedrooms, each with lovely views of the surrounding countryside and views to Brunel's arched railway bridge at Saltash.
One famous portrait is of Rachel Carew, the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's story "My Cousin Rachel". Some notable portraits also trace the family's divided loyalty and the heavy price they paid for it. In the hall a portrait of Charles I can be seen at his trial. This was the last portrait painted of him before his execution, his eyes sad and his beard grey.
John Carew, owner of Antony, was one of those who sat in judgment of Charles and was later executed at the Restoration. His brother Alexander, whose portrait can be seen in the library, was executed by the Parliamentarians, having remained uncertain about which side to support.
In 1564 Richard Carew inherited the Antony Estate and was best known for authoring the "Great Survey of Cornwall". His 1586 portrait hangs in the hall, and it is strange to think
that just two years later in his position as Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Cornwall he would have witnessed the Armada sailing up the Channel.
Surrounded by landscaped parkland and fine gardens, courtesy of Humphrey Repton, there are many pleasant walks in the surrounding woodland. Repton removed the earlier parterres on the upper terraces in favour of open landscapes, according to his Red Book of 1792.
A formal garden with clipped yew hedges, an orchard, flower garden, pond and a knot garden still remain, decorated by the 18th century dovecote and a Burmese temple bell. The sweeping lawns offer views down to the River Lynher to the north and across the River Tamar to Plymouth in the east. On the river bank are the remains of a bathhouse and a plunge bath, built in 1784.
The 50 acre woodland gardens are a delightful picture in spring with their 300 varieties of early flowering azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons and exotic trees. The National Collection of Daylilies at Antony is also well worth seeing in early summer. Sculptures commissioned by Sir Richard Carew Pole are scattered around the gardens and are believed to be the work of Sir William Pye.
The best way to reach Antony is by boat, crossing from Plymouth on the Torpoint ferry to avoid the 22-mile drive over the Tamar Bridge and along the winding lanes of the Torpoint peninsula.
The silver-grey stone house sits on the crest of a hill behind a fine wrought iron gateway. Antony house was built of Pentewan stone in 1718 by Sir William Carew. The colonnaded wings around the courtyard were added later
Click Photo for Slideshow
The modest family home has Dutch oak-panelled rooms which are crammed full of high quality antiques, ceramics and paintings, some by Joshua Reynolds, another local resident. It has just five elegant bedrooms, each with lovely views of the surrounding countryside and views to Brunel's arched railway bridge at Saltash.
One famous portrait is of Rachel Carew, the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's story "My Cousin Rachel". Some notable portraits also trace the family's divided loyalty and the heavy price they paid for it. In the hall a portrait of Charles I can be seen at his trial. This was the last portrait painted of him before his execution, his eyes sad and his beard grey.
John Carew, owner of Antony, was one of those who sat in judgment of Charles and was later executed at the Restoration. His brother Alexander, whose portrait can be seen in the library, was executed by the Parliamentarians, having remained uncertain about which side to support.
In 1564 Richard Carew inherited the Antony Estate and was best known for authoring the "Great Survey of Cornwall". His 1586 portrait hangs in the hall, and it is strange to think
Click Photo for Slideshow
Surrounded by landscaped parkland and fine gardens, courtesy of Humphrey Repton, there are many pleasant walks in the surrounding woodland. Repton removed the earlier parterres on the upper terraces in favour of open landscapes, according to his Red Book of 1792.
A formal garden with clipped yew hedges, an orchard, flower garden, pond and a knot garden still remain, decorated by the 18th century dovecote and a Burmese temple bell. The sweeping lawns offer views down to the River Lynher to the north and across the River Tamar to Plymouth in the east. On the river bank are the remains of a bathhouse and a plunge bath, built in 1784.
The 50 acre woodland gardens are a delightful picture in spring with their 300 varieties of early flowering azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons and exotic trees. The National Collection of Daylilies at Antony is also well worth seeing in early summer. Sculptures commissioned by Sir Richard Carew Pole are scattered around the gardens and are believed to be the work of Sir William Pye.
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Directions |
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Bus Services:
First 81 from Plymouth (passing close Plymouth ) alight Great Park Estate, ¼ mile. Cycling: NCN27, 2 miles View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website. By Ferry: Torpoint 2 miles. By Road: 6 miles west of Plymouth via Torpoint car ferry, 2 miles north west of Torpoint, north of A374, 16 miles south east of Liskeard, 15 miles east of Looe. By Train: Plymouth 6 miles via vehicle ferry. Ordnance Survey Reference: 201:SX418564 |
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Antony Postcode for SatNav: PL11 2QA
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Contact
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Torpoint
PL11 2QA |
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Days Out near Antony
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Mount Edgcumbe House & Country Park (3 Miles)*
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Saltram House (6 Miles)*
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Cotehele House (7 Miles)*
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Buckland Abbey (7 Miles)*
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Launceston Castle (17 Miles)*-english-heritage-skyscan-154x115.jpg)
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Lydford Gorge (18 Miles)*
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Launceston Steam Railway (18 Miles)*
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Restormel Castle (19 Miles)*-english-heritage-154x115.jpg)
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Lanhydrock House (20 Miles)*
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Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum (20 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Antony
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Plymouth (4 Miles)*
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Bere Alston (7 Miles)*
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Callington (9 Miles)*
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Looe (10 Miles)*
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Duloe (11 Miles)*
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Liskeard (11 Miles)*
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Polperro (13 Miles)*
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Ugborough (16 Miles)*
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Lerryn (17 Miles)*
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Bigbury-on-Sea (17 Miles)*
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