 The Trelissick estate stands at the head of the estuary of the River
Fal. Here a great stretch of deep water runs
far inland with smaller creeks and inlets branching off on either side.
Wooded slopes lead down to the water with oaks and beeches
overhanging the mudflats of the tidal creeks.
The King Harry Ferry below Trelissick
is the only connection across the water to the Roseland peninsular
on the other side of the estuary.
In about 1750 a modest two-storey villa was built at
Trelissick on the foundations of an earlier building. This house was remodelled in
1825 by Peter Frederick Robinson who added the columned portico which rises to the height
of the south front. Robinson's patron was Thomas Daniell whose father had bought the
estate in 1800 with the fortune he inherited from tin-mining interests.
Thomas Daniell planted much of the woodland along the
shores of the estuary and the carriage drives he laid out in the park are now shady
woodland walks. Between 1844 and 1913 the estate was owned by the Gilbert family who
made great improvements to the grounds. They planted ornamental woodlands and some
of the huge holm oaks and conifers in the garden. The wonderful garden seen today
was largely created by Mr and Mrs Ronald Copeland after Mrs Copeland inherited Trelissick
in 1937.
From the house (not open to the public) and drive there are
splendid views across a great sweep of grass to the Carrick Roads. On clear days
Pendennis Castle can be seen on a promontory in the far distance.
The garden, however, with its exotic and delicate plants
needs protection from the prevailing wind rather than extensive views. Mrs Copeland
planted many species that flourish in the mid Cornish air, including the great range of
rhododendrons and azaleas that are such a feature of the garden. There are also
hydrangeas, camellias, flowering cherries, magnolias, eucalyptus, maples and exotic plants
such as the ginkgo and many species of palm.
Trelissick has an intimate feel with conifers, beeches and
other trees sheltering and enclosing the valley. There are many changes of level and
perspective and the winding paths, shaded by great holm oaks and beeches and flanked by
high hedges, open unexpectedly into areas of grass.
It is these spacious lawns that give Trelissick its
character. The sloping main lawn is shaded by a fine Japanese cedar and at the sides
are borders devoted to summer-flowering shrubs and plants. The walks lead to a
summer house and a Saxon cross and then back to a raised drive. From here there is
a glimpse of the dell at the heart of the garden with its tree ferns, large-leaved
rhododendrons, banana tree and other exotic plants.
A narrow path and rustic bridge lead
over the Ferry Road, a green canyon through the centre of
the garden, to the Carcadden area. This wide slope is
a newer part of the garden. The descending lawns are planted
informally with great cedars and cypresses and there are many
choice shrubs including camellias, magnolias, flowering cherries
and rhododendrons.There is also a huge collection of hydrangeas,
a specialty of Trelissick.
The Trelissick is now in the
care of the National Trust. The property includes an extensive
park and there are woodland walks beside the river.
There is also an Art and Craft gallery.
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Trelissick
