Saltram House

Saltram House is a magnificent Georgian mansion overlooking the Plym estuary. It was built in the middle of the 18th century incorporating parts of a Tudor house already on the site.

The first part of the house was constructed between 1743 and 1750 by John and Lady Catherine Parker. In 1768 their son John Parker, later Baron Boringdon, employed Robert Adam to carry out extensive alterations to the east wing. In 1818 the porch was added but since this time no other material changes have been made to the house.

The saloon and dining room are the finest rooms in the house showing Adam's skill as an architect and his attention to detail. Some of his original drawings are on display.

Among the other rooms on display are the Velvet Drawing Room, Chinese Chippendale Bedroom, the library with its collection of leather-bound books, the Morning Room, the Mirror Room and the Great Kitchen.

The house contains its original contents including collections of furniture, paintings, pottery and porcelain. The John Parker who employed Robert Adam was responsible for a great part of these collections. He probably received advise from Sir Joshua Reynolds who was his friend and often visited the house. There are 10 portraits by Reynolds at Saltram dating mostly from the 1770s. There are also examples of Chippendale furniture and Wedgewood vases.

In 1957 the house, park and contents were accepted by the Treasury in payment of death duty and given to the National Trust.

Saltram House is set in beautiful gardens and is surrounded by landscaped parkland. There is a tree trail in the garden and walks through the park, woodlands and beside the river.