National Trust - Saltram

About

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A house full of treasures, stories & intrigue. A secret garden to lose yourself in, plus a park that cyclists, walkers, & our four legged friends love. Saltram, on the edge of Plymouth, was the home of the Parker family who revamped the house, garden and parkland during the 18th century and created much of what you see today.

Saltram’s historic parkland is a rare survival of an 18th-century estate, which at its height was made up of 4,000 acres of land and provided income for the Parker family and employment for many locals. The park continues to be a working estate today, with much of the land used as permanent pasture and cattle can often be found enjoying the sunshine in the fields around the house.

There are 500 acres with a remarkable range of different habitats, including farmland, beaches, saltmarshes, meadows, woodland and an estuary, as well as the 18th century folly, known as the Amphitheatre.

The parkland is the perfect spot to walk your dog, go for a run, cycle or a gentle stroll however far you want to walk. We have a mixture of easy access paths, suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, and more out of the way tracks to explore. You can pop in to the Welcome Centre to pick up a map and follow one of our recommended walks.

The mansion house you see today is an elegant Georgian façade built around a much earlier house. It was acquired by George Parker in 1712 and remained one of the Parker family homes until 1957 when it was transferred to the National Trust. The lifestyle the Parkers enjoyed can be clearly seen through the sumptuous original furnishings and significant collections still on display, including stunning paintings, ceramics and textiles.

Feast your eyes on Robert Adam’s beautiful neo-classical saloon, lose yourself in the stories in the Chinese wallpaper and wonder at the sheer volume of books on the library shelves. Whether you prefer the opulent magnificence of the Boulle desks and clocks or the functional simplicity of the copper pots and pans in the kitchen, Saltram has it all. Tours of the house with our trained volunteers are available at 11am and 11.30am and the house opens fully at 12noon when you can find out what our conservation team are up to in our Conservation in Action sessions and channel your inner 18th century persona by dressing up.

Changed by successive owners, Saltram’s grounds have remained a peaceful space surrounding the house, offering beautiful views of its Palladian exterior. Originally developed in the 18th century as a landscape garden, the plantsmans’ garden which now exists at Saltram was mostly created in the late 19th century by the 3rd Earl of Morley.

There’s lots of variety, from the quarter of a mile long lime avenue, believed to be the longest of its type in Europe, to the orange grove, a peaceful spot with a Mediterranean feel which is the perfect place to soak up the sun and search for insects and tadpoles in the pond. The 18th century working Orangery is not to be missed.

Pop into the Welcome Centre and pick up a seasonal family trail for a great way to explore the garden. Bring your own picnic and grab a deckchair or find a table inside or outside the Chapel Tea-room and make a day of it. There’s also the Park Café serves seasonal dishes, a selection of cakes, hot and cold drinks and ice cream. Seating is available indoors, in the stable courtyard and by the children’s play area.

Don’t forget to take home a memento of your visit by popping into the shop. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or a treat for yourself, there’s plenty to choose from with stock changing seasonally. There are also a variety of old and new books in our second hand bookshop which are all ready to be welcomed into a new home. Browse through hundreds of titles from history to best sellers and classics. All funds made from the sale of second-hand books goes straight back into making Saltram special.