LOCATION

STEEPED IN YEARS OF FASCINATING STORIES

Bought with the proceeds of the famous Pitt Diamond in 1717 and home to three Prime Ministers, Boconnoc remains one of Cornwall’s best kept secrets. Visitors can view architecture influenced by Sir John Soane, visit the Georgian Bath House and examine the conservation of the 18th century wall and ceiling paintings which line the double staircase of the house.

THE PEOPLE OF BOCONNOC

The superb parkland was first laid out by Thomas Pitt 1st Lord Camelford from 1760 and has been steadily improved by the Grenville and Fortescue families. The magnificent woodland garden contains rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and a collection of magnolias.

Luminaries, royals, and other famous personalities have all found their way to Boconnoc: from King Charles I, who is said to have spent the night in what is now the King’s Bedroom, to Thomas “Diamond” Pitt, the former Governor of Madras, the ‘Great Commoner’ William Pitt, Lord Chatham. The Prince of Orange, the poet Thomas Gray and Sir Josiah Wedgwood.

WHERE OUR STORY BEGAN

The Boconnoc story begins thousands of years ago. Since the days of the Domesday Book, people have inhabited this beautiful tract of Cornwall—and the estate itself is alive with centuries of history.

Boconnoc Estate and Manor were taxed in the Domesday Roll in 1086. After the De Cancias, Carminows and Courtenays, Sir William Mohun bought the property in 1579 from Francis Russell, the 2nd Earl of Bedford, who had been granted Boconnoc as part of the Earldom of Bedford as reward for helping to crush the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1550.