Castle Trematonia | Luxury Country Home with Pool | Cornwall

Castle Trematonia

Antony Passage, Tamar Valley, Cornwall, UK

At the coastal edge of the Tamar Valley, behind turreted castle walls, Mother Nature reigns supreme. Castle Trematonia is a world within worlds. Inside its pink country house walls, botanical colours and patterns reign, while nine acres of grounds roll through ancient woodland and gardens described by The Times as "the most beautiful in Cornwall". Fringed by tropical palms, a natural pool, sauna and Indian pool house make the outside world fade into insignificance during England's long, balmy summers.

Book

Introduction

Originally built in 1068, Castle Trematonia is a fortress turned private estate woven with maritime legend – where Sir Francis Drake is said to have stowed treasures from the Golden Hind. Today, under the stewardship of its creative custodians, Nature reigns through principles of biodiversity and a signature botanical opulence. William Morris blooms flourish across walls in painterly strokes, softening the grandeur of historic bones. Neo-classical spaces invite serenity and reverie in equal measure; yoga overlooking the Tamar valley or cocktails beside the Indian pool house. Beyond, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty unfurls.

Inside

Honouring both the castle's rich history and the garden's palette of mossy greens and earthen terracottas, Trematon's interiors are restorative for all who enter. This is a home of generous proportions and spirited idiosyncrasies – from its grand leopard staircase to undercover skate ramp, through music room and DeVol kitchen. Each room layers antiques with future heirlooms handcrafted by British artisans, creating a living museum for irreverent design. On the first floor: nine bedrooms with king and super-king beds invoke the deepest slumber, with views over the croquet lawn, past the castle ramparts and on to the River Lynher.

Outside

Once home to famed gardening duo Isabel and Julian Bannerman, the nine acres of surrounds are tended as a living ecosystem; supporting a thriving diversity of plant and insect life and inviting guests to live in rhythm with the land. These extensive gardens emerge as wildflower meadows, herbaceous borders of lupins and peonies, oak-peppered woodland, a flourishing herb garden and an English orchard. At its centre sits the natural pool – a palm-fringed enclave in which to while away languid summer days in Cornwall's heady microclimate. Venture into the Valley, where walking trails idle towards market gardens serving organic fare. 

The Facts

  • SleepsUp to 18 guests from £10,995 per week
  • Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are nine double bedrooms at Castle Trematonia; 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. Please note when booking the smaller group option guests can select a total of five bedrooms, those not selected will remain closed.
    View bedrooms
  • FeaturesOutdoor natural pool (available year-round), pool house, sauna, 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 Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
  • FamilyBabies and children are very welcome. One travel cot and one highchair are available.
  • PracticalitiesThe DeVol 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. 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. The pool is open between May and September. Pet owners are politely asked to ensure dogs are supervised at all times due to the resident chickens.
  • Homestay includesGuests will enjoy fresh eggs collected from the castle’s own chickens along with seasonal blend well-being tea and products made from the herb garden - a small expression of life lived close to the land, along with WiFi internet, TV with Netflix, Sonos sound system, board games, firewood and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
  • Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options.
    Explore private dining
  • RetreatsFrom surf lessons to dawn yoga and adrenaline-fuelled adventures, we work with the most inspirational of experts to ensure a truly tailored stay. On confirmation of booking, these details will be shared within your house book.
  • 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 questionsView floor plan

Get in touch

Enquire Book

The verdant music room
The bedrooms are as characterful as they are considered spaces
A place to idle away an hour or two

Prices & Availability

Tamar Valley

Dense, winding woodlands, towering gorges and meandering stretches of gentle river with families of playful otters for company; the Tamar Valley AONB is a leafy paradise with plenty of opportunities for adventure, should one desire.

View property location Destination guide

Tamar Valley
View nearby properties
Close

Getting there

  • On the Map Castle Trematonia 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 Trematonia, 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.”

From the owner

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 on our B Corp brand House of Hackney, we decided a move to this unspoilt slipper of the Tamar Valley 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.

Port Eliot Estate

To Do

Port Eliot Estate

A storied country estate set beside the River Lynher, long associated with writers, artists and musicians. Wander the gardens, explore the house, or time your visit with one of their cultural events and gatherings.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

To See

Lost Gardens of Heligan

A world-famous Victorian garden where formal pleasure grounds give way to lush subtropical valleys and ancient woodlands. Steeped in romance and the story of its dramatic rediscovery, Heligan offers winding paths through botanical splendour.

From the doorstep

To Do

From the doorstep

Kayak or paddleboard directly on the River Lynher, a tranquil tributary of the Tamar, wild swim at the tidal estuary below the castle, or set out on ancient woodland and restorative riverside walks just beyond the estate´s gates.

Maker Heights

To Eat

Maker Heights

This former military site turned creative enclave – with artists´ studios, exhibitions, and one of the best viewpoints in Cornwall – is home to The Canteen café, serving seasonal, locally sourced food and a growing cultural community

Guest Testimonials

Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google

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 Trematonia. 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 Trematonia 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 Trematonia 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you're curious about pet policies, the nearest walkable pubs, or wild swimming spots, we have the answers to common property-specific queries here. For everything else, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Press

Below are a selection of features in which Castle Trematonia 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.

Not quite what you're looking for?

Find properties:

Luxury Self-Catering Cottages > UK > Cornwall > Tamar Valley > Castle Trematonia

Related Collections

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.