Boconnoc was a mediaeval power centre, and the much disguised mediaeval hall is still at the heart of the house. Although the roof trusses are from 1579, the house was renovated by the Pitt Family, and so has been a family house for three of Britain’s prime ministers. It has fine Georgian features although with Victorian alterations. Since it has now lost a wing or two, Boconnoc is rather smaller than it used to be. The house and estate remain a family affair, and the house has been in that family’s ownership since purchased in 1720. This great house has a mile and a half of drive, an eighteenth century landscaped park, a large lake, Tudor deer park, little valleys, monuments, church and hidden up the hill the yards and buildings that were needed in its heyday.

After being unoccupied for many years, and nationally listed as an endangered building, the house has now been restored. The North wing includes a Victorian Tower of 1862, now reduced in height, which was designed to allow direct access from the first floor to the mediaeval church close by. This entrance from the hill is now the entrance to the North wing and Tower house. This includes the large room, with venetian windows known as the King Charles bedroom since Charles 1 held court here during one of his periods of success. The tower is quirky, but newly fitted out, and the views from the windows to the church, and to the park are astonishing. The gardens are well maintained, and there is lots to see and do on the estate, but it is also a good touring base from which to explore Cornwall. The nearest cliff beaches are about fifteen minutes away and the beaches of the north coast rather further. The ancient towns of Lostwithiel and Fowey are not far. It is difficult to sum up this great house and landscape, save to say that arriving here always raises your spirits and makes you content, no matter what has been happening elsewhere.

Entrance to the Tower House is from the north, to the right of the main front and up a path to the first floor. A small hall has cupboard, stairs, WC and door to the family room with views over the church, and a small kitchen. This has electric cooker and hob, microwave, fridge. TV and video in this room. The hall leads through another larger lobby to the “King Charles Bedroom”, an enormous room with big windows looking over the park and church. This is fitted as a sitting room, with fine working fireplace, high ceilings. It has two single beds.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms with good quality furniture, one with double bed and one with twin beds. One looks west and one east. Between them is a newly refitted bathroom with panelling and charm. The north or tower wing has oil fired central heating. The laundry room is up steps in a separate building. After a long drive through the park, there is plenty of parking either by the house or in the yard to the North. Renovated and refitted 2004 to 2007 to high standard. Sports available include fishing. Lots of garden. Extra dramatic and interesting rooms are planned as additions during 2007. No Dogs.

A room modelled on the great state rooms of the liner Queen Mary, together with a further large bedroom and bathroom to the second floor are planned for completion in 2007.