This October Pentillie Castle, one of the most exclusive estates in Cornwall, is inviting you to come and enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea in their elegant Castle Dining Room. This is a rare opportunity to visit this private castle which is only usually open to guests staying on the estate or visiting for private functions.
So why not settle down next to a roaring open fire and treat yourself to a selection of delightful finger sandwiches, delicious savoury pastries and delicate cakes, all washing down with a pot of tea, coffee or a glass of bubbly! Heaven!
Exclusive afternoon tea
And if you do decide to visit the castle for their afternoon tea you will also have the exciting opportunity to wander in the historic grounds, which cover some 55 acres.
Pentillie Castle is considered comparatively ‘new’ when it comes to historic buildings in Cornwall and is more of a castellated manor house than the traditional castle you might imagine. It was originally built by Sir James Tillie in 1698 on an elevated site close to the banks of the River Tamar and was once surrounded by an estate of some 20,000 acres of land. There was then extensive remodelling and enlarging of the house in 1809 which gave us the grand building that we see today.
The story of Sir James Tillie
Sir James Tillie was actually from a rather humble background but found his way to wealth through hard work and a rather fortunate marriage. And it is he who is responsible for one of the most fascinating legends that is told about the castle.
It is said that before Sir James Tillie mysteriously passed away aged just 42, he asked to have his body interred in a purpose-built mausoleum on the Pentillie estate, so he would be “ready for his resurrection”. It is claimed that Sir James’ will instructed that after his death he was to be dressed in his finest clothes and bound to a stout chair with his books placed around him, a bottle of wine and his pipe. This story was long thought to be entirely a fanciful myth until archaeologists actually uncovered human remains beneath the mausoleum in 2013. Leading some to believe that there is some truth in the legend.
Tillie’s imposing memorial still stands on a wooded hill known as Mount Ararat and a rather spooky life size statue of the man seated on a chair still remains inside.
Country House Rescue
In recent years Pentillie Castle found fame when it was featured in the Channel 4 programme Country House Rescue and this subsequently led to it being used as a set for various film and television projects. Pentillie has now become an exclusive venue for weddings and cooperate retreats, so it is wonderful to have this exciting opportunity to see it for yourself!
Book an afternoon tea at Pentillie here.
