Saltram, Plympton, nr Plymouth, Devon
Saltram, not far from Plymouth is another of those beauties owned by the National Trust. Where would we be without them, preserving these wonderful historic houses, their gardens and grounds and giving us all an insight into the private lives of the people who lived there and the social history of the era?
A very splendid Georgain façade belies a much older house with heaps of period features, opulent interiors and staggering collections of paintings, textiles and ceramics. Stories unfold on the Chinese wallpaper in the Neo-Classical saloon, the library shelves are stacked with what must amount to thousands of books, the kitchen with copper pans of all sizes. It’s how they lived back then – one family over several generations.
The gardens are typical of the 18th century country house, with rare and exotic trees, and borders bursting with colour almost the whole of the year. The quarter of a mile long lime avenue is believed to be the longest in Europe, a peaceful orange grove has a distinctly Mediterranean feel and like something out of a fairy tale, a winding path takes you along the Melancholy Walk to a castle folly at the garden’s edge where there are views of Plymouth.
The further parkland at Saltram is great if you fancy stretching your legs or letting the kids let off steam; when you get back head to the Park Café for a drink and a snack, or to the Chapel Tearoom for tea and cake served on pretty vintage crockery, just how it should be. A good day out in Devon for the whole family.
Open: Mar-Oct 11.00am-4.30pm Nov-Feb 11.00am-3.30pm
T: 01752 333500 All information is correct at the time of writing