Up early this morning eager to start our next big adventure . . . last night we decided to drive across the Dartmoor. Our destination to be Cotehele, an elegant estate on the River Tamar. After a full English breakfast of eggs, veggies, bacon and toast, we are off . . . Our now familiar route out of Lustleigh heads us north on the A382 to Moretonhampstead, then southwest on the B3212. Though drizzly outside, we are told that the other side of the moors can be quite different. |
The town is centered on the paved Bedford Square around which are St. Eustachius Church, Town Hall, the ancient Pannier Market, which was granted its Royal Charter in 1105 and has continued without a break for over 900 years! Each day of the week (except the day we are here . . . Sunday) are different offerings. Tuesday is antiques and collectables; Wednesday and Thursday are crafts and a mixed market; Friday is a traditional market with fresh produce; and Saturday rotates with all of the previous mentioned types of offerings.
One thing we Nuest'as love to do is window shop . . . and being Sunday, most everything is closed so it is easy to not get seduced inside — except for the bakery!
Tucked into a wooded fold in the countryside, Cotehele has "slumbered" for the past 500 years. The Tudor house, built between 1489 and 1520, is perched high above the River Tamar and is considered a rare example of a medieval house. It is set around three courtyards with an open hall, kitchen, chapel and a warren of private parlors and chambers. The interior is decorated with tapestries, arms and armor, perter, brass and old oak furniture.
wood of Morden valley to Cotehele Mill where the old waterwheel produced energy to mill corn into flour. Again, we were too late to watch the milling of corn or an old fashion baking demonstration — next visit!