Camellia Manor

About this property

The remarkable, imposing, Grade II listed Camellia Manor is one of Cornwall’s most historic houses. As well as its fascinating history it offers stunning gardens designed in 1792 by the leading garden landscaper, Sir Humphrey Repton, Elizabethan ruins, parkland, orchards, paddocks and woodland in a fabulous, out-of-this-world plot of 25 acres. With magnificent entertainment spaces, eight sumptuous bedrooms on the first floor and two independent apartments on the lower ground floor with a further three bedrooms, this gorgeous manor house is perfect for large groups of friends or family and those wanting to celebrate special events.

Camellia Manor is located in a secluded, prestigious elevated position at St. Germans, 4 miles from the wonderful South Cornish coast, 14 miles from Plymouth and 24 miles from Tavistock. St. Germans was a former capital of Cornwall and is close to the Cornwall/Devon border. Dartmoor lies to the north east. Nearby towns include Liskeard and Saltash and the beautiful, picturesque fishing harbours of Polperro, Looe and Fowey are within easy reach.

Camellia Manor was originally the principal house of the Manor of Bonyalva, mentioned in the Domesday Book and was attached to the Abbey of St. Germans. The Elizabethan manor house was built in 1580 by George Kekewyche, the Sheriff of Cornwall under Elizabeth I and now exists as a ruin adjacent to the present house. His name can be seen over the granite archway to the enclosed cobbled courtyard. The ruin includes original arches, benches, troughs and the ice house. The house was bought by Julius Glanville in 1716 and the present house was built in attractive Gothic style in the first half of the 18th Century. This fabulous, majestic manor house is clad with roses, honeysuckle, jasmine and a fabulous mature wisteria.

You will certainly feel like Lords and Ladies of the Manor when you arrive at this incredible wonder! Guests enter the property through a fine panelled front door to the entrance hall and a long reception hall with its large display alcove, tall gothic windows overlooking the ruin and fine, intricate cornicing. From here, you pass through impressive double depth panelled doors to the principal reception rooms including the drawing room which was formally the ball room. This grand, stately room boasts four sets of windows, one being French and offering access to the gardens, a striking fireplace with a polished marble hearth, gorgeous cornicing, a beautiful parquet floor and an excellent array of comfortable furnishings. The lavish sitting room next door boasts an original ornate fireplace and stunning windows which drown this beautiful room in natural light. The superb study is bright and beautiful with dual aspect and a gorgeous window seat overlooking the ruins. The Robinson & Cornish designer kitchen is a gorgeous, sociable space enjoying original features, an Aga and modern appliances, perfect for the chefs in your group. There is even a walk-in pantry. At one end of the kitchen you will find the family room and at the other, the children’s playroom and cloakroom. This house is ideal for multi-generational families with plenty of spaces to relax with the Sunday newspapers or pre-dinner drinks while children happily play for hours inside and out.

The enormous master bedroom suite and seven further bedrooms are found on the first floor. The master enjoys gorgeous views over the ruin, the lawn and the paddock and boasts an ensuite bathroom. Five further bedrooms run along the length of the manor house enjoying fabulous, far-reaching views and another two are tucked along the eastern side of the house. They share two bathrooms and a shower room.

The lower ground floor is comprised of a self-contained annex including the cellar, utility and boot room and boiler room as well as two self-contained apartments. These are ideal for grandparents or other members of your group that may appreciate some quiet time or personal space. All of the rooms enjoy natural light and are very spacious. One of the apartments offers a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and a kitchen and the other boasts two bedrooms, a bathroom, a sitting room and a kitchen.

The gardens and grounds of Camellia Manor are incredible. The 25 acre plot includes mature broadleaved woodland with its delightful carpet of wild garlic in the spring, a pond, a formal herb garden with clipped box borders, an orchard, a plantation of mature specimen trees including acers, a handkerchief tree, an Indian bean tree, conifers, oak, beech and beautiful azaleas, rhododendrons, camelias and hydrangeas. To the side of the field are semi-formal gardens, a peacock enclosure and a large lush lawn with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. A path runs through the bluebell wood to the quarry garden which is entered through a dry wall slate tunnel. At the rear of the ruin is the former ice house. There is access to the lower ground floor apartments from the cobbled courtyard. The gardens were formally open to the public with the spectacular rhododendrons being once of the largest collections in Cornwall.

Camellia Manor really is one of a kind and the perfect venue for group get-togethers and celebrations. It is located in a wonderful spot with fantastic day trip opportunities.

* Please note that it is possible for smaller groups of up to 16 guests to book Camellia Manor for a reduced price during selected low season dates. Please note that groups of 16 will not have access to the ground floor bedrooms. If you would like access to the entire house, you will need to select 17 + guests at the time of booking.

Camellia Manor is located amongst beautiful countryside, 4 miles from the South Cornwall coast and close to the Cornwall/Devon border. Plymouth and South Hams lie to the east while Devon’s Tavistock and Dartmoor lie to the north east. Plymouth boasts the Theatre Royal which attracts major opera, ballet and drama productions, excellent shopping facilities, amazing restaurants and some of the best sailing facilities in Europe. The thriving market town of Tavistock is an ancient stannary town and home of the cream tea. It holds world heritage status and is famous for its award-winning farmers’ market and pannier market. Tavistock has direct access to Dartmoor’s magical Western Moor, the perfect spot for picnics, walking, cycling and riding.

Liskeard is another attractive ancient stannary and market town, 14 miles west of the River Tamar and 12 miles east of Bodmin at the head of the Looe Valley. There are some excellent restaurants and independent shops.

Saltash is situated on the west bank of the River Tamar, across the river from Plymouth. Saltash enjoys great access to adventures on the river with the Tamar Valley being designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty. It is also close the the National Trust’s Cotehele House. Visitors enjoy sailing, watersports and bathing in the Tamar Estuary.

To the west of Camellia Manor, on the coast, is the very attractive Polperro. The South West Coast Path offers some fantastic, scenic walking plus there are interesting shops in Polperro. A figure-of-eight walk around the historic fishing village and the headlands surrounding Polperro covers historic sites including the net loft perched on Peak Rock, the Victorian sea pool, the lighthouse and the site of the medieval chapel. The Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing is fascinating.

Further along the coast is Fowey, a picturesque town and bustling small port. The attractive harbour is flanked by 14th century blockhouses, one in Fowey and the other in the delightful town of Polruan on the opposite side of the river. In Polruan you will find pretty cottages clinging to the hillside. A car ferry crosses the river to Boddinick. The ferry house was originally the du Maurier family home and later the home of Angela du Maurier, Daphne’s sister. The Fowey Estuary is stunning with boat trips galore.

Golf fans will be delighted with the courses at St Mellion, Yelverton and Tavistock. Racing at Newton Abbot and Exeter is also very popular.

Accommodation

Camellia Manor
First Floor
- Master bedroom - Blue Room with Super king size bed and ensuite bathroom
- Bedroom Two - Yellow Room Children's twin room with two single beds
- Bedroom Three - Princess Room Children's room with a double and a single bed
- Bedroom Four - Red Bedroom with superking Four Poster
- Bedroom Five - Pink bedroom with super king bed
- Bedroom Six - Violet Room with super king bed
- Bedroom Seven - Green Room with double bed
- Bedroom Eight - Cream single room with single bed and cot (second cot also available)
- Family bathroom x 2
- Shower room

Ground Floor
- Reception Hall
- Dining Hall (with table seating up to 24)
- Study
- Cloakroom
- Kitchen/breakfast room
- Family room
- Sitting room
- Drawing room
- Playroom
- Pantry/larder  
- Shower room

Lower Ground Floor (only included for bookings over 17+ guests)
- Conservatory
- Bedroom Nine – The reading room with two single beds
- Bathroom

Flat One
- Bedroom Ten with double bed
- Kitchen and Dining Area
- Sitting Room/Games Room

Flat Two
- Bedroom Eleven with king size bed
- Bedroom Twelve with double bed
- Bathroom
- Sitting room
- Kitchen
- Cloakroom

Outside Grounds
- Elizabethan ruin and enclosed cobbled courtyard
- Beautiful landscaped gardens, parkland, paddock and woodland
- 8-10 seater Skargards wood fired hot tub (added in April 2022)
* Please note that it is possible for smaller groups of up to 16 guests to book Camellia Manor for a reduced price during selected low season dates. Please note that groups of 16 will not have access to the ground floor bedrooms. If you would like access to the entire house, you will need to select 17 + guests at the time of booking.