13 National Trust Treasures to Discover During Your Stay at Lydgate House

When you come to stay at Lydgate House, you’re not just escaping to the peace of Dartmoor, you’re stepping into a landscape steeped in history, beauty, and quiet moments to savour.

Within an hour’s gentle drive of our door, you’ll find some of the National Trust’s most enchanting places: romantic castles, riverside gardens, ancient gorges, and elegant Georgian houses. Each is a little sanctuary of its own, and we’d be delighted to help you choose the ones that speak to you.

Here, we’ve gathered 13 of our favourite National Trust treasures, in order of distance from Lydgate, with postcodes to make planning even easier.

🌿 Begin Close to Home

Lydford Gorge (25 minutes)

England’s deepest gorge, with a 30-metre waterfall, ancient woodland and the dramatic Devil’s Cauldron. 

📍 Postcode: EX20 4BH

Bradley (30 minutes)

A quiet, medieval manor tucked away in woodland, small, intimate, and full of charm.

📍 Postcode: TQ12 1LX

Castle Drogo (35 minutes)

The last castle built in England, perched above the Teign Gorge. Striking architecture, formal gardens and stunning views. 

📍 Postcode: EX6 6PB

Finch Foundry (40 minutes)

A Victorian water-powered forge with live demonstrations and a peaceful garden. 

📍Postcode: EX20 2NW

Buckland Abbey (40 minutes)

Sir Francis Drake’s former home, where history whispers through quiet cloisters and pretty gardens. 

📍 Postcode: PL20 6EY

🏰 A Little Further Afield

Saltram (50 minutes)

An elegant Georgian mansion surrounded by parkland, perfect for a gentle walk and a cup of tea. 

📍 Postcode: PL7 1UH

Compton Castle (50 minutes)

A romantic fortified manor house with turrets and a lovely garden. 

📍 Postcode: TQ3 1TA

Cotehele (55 minutes)

A Tudor house with atmospheric rooms, colourful gardens, and a riverside quay. 

📍 Postcode: PL12 6TA

Greenway (55 minutes)

Agatha Christie’s holiday home on the River Dart. Full of her collections and surrounded by gardens. 

📍 Postcode: TQ5 0ES

Lawrence House (55 minutes)

A Georgian townhouse museum in Launceston, with a charming garden and castle views. 

📍 Postcode: PL15 8BA

Antony (60 minutes)

A striking 16th century house with sweeping lawns, woodlands, and fine art. 

📍 Postcode: PL11 2QA

Coleton Fishacre (60 minutes)

A stylish Art Deco coastal retreat with terraced gardens that tumble toward the sea. 

📍 Postcode: TQ6 0EQ

Overbeck’s Garden (60 minutes)

A lush, tropical garden above Salcombe, with exotic planting, sea views, and quirky curiosities. 

📍 Postcode: TQ8 8LW

🌟 Our Tips for a Perfect Day Out

• Start nearby - Lydford Gorge or Bradley are ideal if you’d rather not stray far. 

• Book ahead - Properties like Bradley and Greenway may require advance booking

• Wear comfortable shoes - Many gardens and interiors have uneven floors. 

• Bring your NT card - Or pick up a day pass at the entrance. 

• Pause often - Many properties have charming cafés or benches with beautiful views. 

• Let us help - We can recommend scenic routes, quieter times, and even pack you a picnic.