Castle India
Antony Passage, Tamar Valley, Cornwall, UK
Fantastical, extravagant and sublimely positioned at the edge of Cornwall’s luscious Tamar Valley, pass through the gates of Castle India and enter a world of pure imagination. Inside, a wild celebration of Mother Nature wraps guests in botanical beauty while nine acres of sub-tropical gardens roll through orchards and twist around turrets, all before leading to the natural pool and ancient Indian pool house. Available for exclusive hire, here lies a luxury self-catering home like none before it.
Introduction
Discovered by the owners through pure serendipity on their return to London following a weekend at the Port Eliot Festival, Castle India has been reinvented from a Georgian manor into an immersive, living showroom of the family’s luxury homeware brand. With colour, pattern and an eclectic collection of artefacts brushing the interiors with magic, this clandestine homestay near the south Cornwall coast will blow any essence of the real world into the ether; whether a family birthday or friends weekend spent lounging by the pool, time spent here will imprint on memories for a lifetime.
Inside
Celebrating the castle’s history while taking inspiration from the hues which burst into bloom across the grounds, Castle India is restorative for all who step through its doors. Yet, there's still fun to be found; from the indoor skate ramp to the fairytale bedrooms. A house of bodacious proportions, wind around the grand, central hallway through the music room, drawing room, library, and kitchen (all embellished from top-to-bottom in House of Hackney's latest imaginative prints) before racing up the sweeping staircase to discover nine sumptuous bedrooms with views over the croquet lawn, past the castle ramparts and to the River Lynher beyond.
Outside
Once home to famed gardening duo Isabel and Julian Bannerman, and cited the most romantic garden in Cornwall, the current owners have discovered fruiting banana trees, hot beds where pineapples once thrived (with plans to resurrect the system in the future) and borders upon borders of medieval rhubarb, fragrant sweet peas and kaleidoscopic lupins. The gated natural pool and its ornate Indian pool house bring a slice of the tropics to Cornwall, while the gatehouse hides a ping-pong table and tales of Sir Francis Drake and his bootlegged jewels stolen from the Spanish Armada in the 16th century.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 18 guests
From £8,995 per week, £6,750 per short break - Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are eight double bedrooms at Castle India; two with super king-size four poster beds, six with double beds and one twin bedroom (all found on the first floor). The first floor also includes three family bathrooms with showers, baths and WCs, as well as one shower room and one separate WC. Outside, the pool house features a trio of showers and WCs.
View bedrooms - FeaturesOutdoor natural pool (available May - September), pool house, indoor skate ramp, fire pit, ping pong table, football goals and trampoline
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 5pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabies and children are very welcome. One travel cot and one highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThe country kitchen includes a large gas oven and hob, two full-size fridge-freezers, an industrial dishwasher, and well-stocked pantry. There is a utility room with a washing machine. There is a second butler´s kitchen, which includes an electric oven, fridge, and industrial dishwasher, ideal for bookings with in-house catering. A fully-catered option is available with prices (excluding all ingredients) starting from £975 per day; please enquire for further details. The groundsman resides in a cabin within the extensive grounds, however, will remain discreet and not disturb your stay. If arriving by air, helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds. Please note that the pool and pond are unfenced, so please exercise due diligence if you are travelling with children and dogs. Pet owners are politely asked to ensure dogs are supervised at all times due to the resident chickens.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper of local produce, WiFi internet, TV with Netflix, Sonos sound system, board games, luxury soaps, firewood and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- RetreatsFrom foraging weekenders to crash courses in cold-water therapy, our bespoke retreats bridge the gap between luxury and back-to-nature philosophies. Create a hand-crafted stay that puts connectivity at the fore.
- Eco-friendlyTwo electric car charging points which can be used at an additional cost
- RestrictionsParties are considered on prior permission from the owner. Please note, wedding celebrations and bookings of this nature are not permitted.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
Tamar Valley
Dense, winding woodlands, towering gorges and meandering stretches of gentle river with electric blue Kingfishers for company; the Tamar Valley AONB is a leafy paradise with plenty of opportunities for adventure, should one desire.
Getting there
- On the Map Castle India sits on the banks of the Tamar River and the Antony Passage in Cornwall on the leafy outskirts of Saltash.
- By Car The house is just over four hours from central London.
- By Train Saltash train station is just one mile away and has regular services to London Paddington with a journey time of approximately three and a half hours.
- By Air Both Newquay and Exeter airports are around an hour away from the house, with car hire available in advance. Helicopters are welcome to land within the grounds of Castle India, please enquire for more details.
From the owner
“We’re all desiring freedom and peace more than ever, and you’ll find it in spades amongst our nine acres of gardens, woodland and orchards.”
Cornwall has always been a favourite holiday destination for our family – we love coming here to recharge in nature. One day, on the last day of a summer holiday, we visited the gardens here at the castle, which at the time was famously home to the renowned royal landscape gardeners Julian and Isabel Bannerman.
Walking around the pool area and wildly beautiful gardens planted by the couple set against the medieval backdrop of the castle felt like a dream. It captivated our senses and imaginations; so much so that we were still thinking about it days afterwards. Then, serendipitously, we received a call from a friend who was wondering if we would be interested in taking on a special project in Cornwall… a little place we had just returned from.
After having spent a decade in London, raising a family and working constantly, we decided it felt right. Without even having seen the house and bewitched by the gardens alone, we accepted the offer to take it on.
So, with the promise of a slower, simpler pace of life on the horizon, we uprooted ourselves and answered the call of the wild.
The Gormley Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Tamar Valley with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Adventure Bay Surf, Whitsand Bay
Head to the coast and embark on an ocean adventure with one of the UK´s most exciting surf schools. Whether surfing, coasteering or stand up paddleboarding the team are experts at creating an exciting day out.
To Eat
Rod and Line, Tideford
With an ever-changing menu (depending on what comes in on the boats that day), the Rod and Line is an unassuming local foodie icon, specialising in some of the finest seafood around.
To Do
Maker Heights
Whether a poetry jam or acoustic session in the bespoke studios, or rather a Sunday roast at The Canteen, this community-led venue and creative hub is where local talent is given a platform to shine its brightest.
To See
Cotehele, St Dominick
A National Trust Tudor house and stunning walled kitchen garden with acres of grounds to explore and a dramatic tearoom to settle in. Wander to the pretty riverside village of Calstock or simply watch nature play out in this quiet section of the Tamar Valley.
Guest Testimonials
The romance of the place, the beautiful view, the castle, space for us all without feeling like we were on top of each other. The pool was an added bonus! It was also so nice to be able to take our little dog with us.
We had such an incredible time at Castle India. What a magical place it is. It was certainly very hard to leave. We hope to return and make more special memories here, thank you once again.
We were looking for somewhere unique and special that could sleep a large group of people and Castle India certainly delivered - it was a truly magnificent experience. Incredible grounds and facilities and we also had the pleasure of having the House Manager on hand whenever we had a question or needed anything. He even gave us a tour of the beautiful and historical grounds.
Castle India is amazing and you feel there is a story and history everywhere you look. The grounds seem to go on forever, it´s like being in your own little fairy tale. The pool area is very special and again has character in it´s design. A really interesting home that has everything you need for a big family get together.
Unique extras
From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay we’ll introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Castle India and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
Britain´s quirkiest spring escapes
The Telegraph
March 2022Brilliant Christmas escapes
The Times
November 2023The UK´s best holiday homes
Condé Nast Traveller
November 2023Natural world
25 Beautiful Homes
November 2023The world´s best stays for art-lovers
The Times
November 2023Sense of purpose
Country Homes & Interiors
October 2023Glastonbury is extortionate - here´s what else you can get for your money
The Telegraph
October 2023The best woodland stays in the UK
The Times
October 2023
Collections > Family-Friendly Self-Catering > UK > Cornwall > Tamar Valley > Castle India
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
