Trerice is an Elizabethan home located near Newquay in Cornwall, and it changed little. The house is built in the 'E' shape of Elizabethan homes in the 1570s, probably from a small farmhouse; ultimately some of the rooms changed little and retained the original features. It is most known for its original ceilings, and this is why the National Trust decided to purchase it and take on the large restoration project. We were given a short introduction to the property soon after we arrived; due to the rain, this talk ended up being in the old barn above the house. We were told about the history of the house through to the modern times.
Trerice was owned by the Arundel family and then rented out. The family that lived at Trerice during the 1940s allowed it to be used in the home guard during World War II, and they were able to use the grounds. The grounds outside the old barn became known as the 'parade grounds', where the home guard would train. Behind the barn is the Mowhay and then the second-hand bookstore. This area was once a busy place and part of the farm where the hay would be stored. Next to it is a turf maze, which is another common Elizabethan feature.
The property was eventually split up and sold into small farmhouses after World War II and when times were difficult. This allowed others to take over farming these plots of land during the hard times after the war.
Upon entering the house at Trerice, visitors find themselves in the Great Hall with a massive table. The oak table stays with the house, and it cannot be moved. It was the only large piece of furniture in the house after the National Trust bought it in 1953. The television series "Poldark" is filmed in the house with some of the storylines being inspired by the house and the table.
The Great Hall's window has 576 panes of glass, and most of it is hundreds of years old. it would have been a status symbol as glass was expensive.
We visited the other rooms, such as the extension above and the original part of the house with the beautiful ornate ceilings.
The Long Gallery connects the later extension, and it contains many paintings.
In the Long Gallery are letters from Charles II to the Arundell family who owned and lived at the house.
The Musian's Gallery looks out into the Great Hall. This is where the musicians would play; they could be heard but not seen below. In this room there is a collection of china and needlework.
The extension bathroom and living room on the first floor was built on later. It is more modern, and this is where the family that rented (the Eltons) would have lived. The Elton family did not purchase the house, but they lived in it after the National Trust purchased it.
After completing the tour, I admired the house from the front before going to check out the gardens.
Trerice has an Elizabethan garden, known as a knot garden; this type of garden is designed with geometric patterns and were created in small courtyards. Many of these gardens mimic the architectural elements found inside the house, and the knot garden at Trerice is inspired by the ceilings. Instead of box hedgings, yew is used in this knot garden. Surrounding the knot garden is an orchard with local varieties of fruit trees planted in the 1960s. On the other side of the orchard and landscaped garden are further landscaping with ponds and a lake with an island, which is similar to Stourhead.
I enjoyed the autumnal visit to the house, even though the bad weather was not the best experience for the day.
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