The history and origins of Trerice
Trerice is a manor house situated in the parish of Newlyn East, near Newquay in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The presence of the Arundell family is deeply rooted in this landscape, with their English origins traced back to the reign of King Henry III. This lineage has maintained a connection to the site through many centuries, shaping the continuity of the estate.
The structure itself has evolved through several distinct phases of construction. While the manor house was originally built in the 15th century, the building underwent a significant rebuilding between 1570 and 1573. This period of reconstruction helped define the character of the house that remains today. Now held in the care of the National Trust, the site is recognized as a Grade I Listed Building.
The architecture and layout of the manor
This 16th-century Tudor manor house is defined by a compact E-shaped layout organized around a central hall. The structure emerged from the rebuilding efforts of the 1570s, replacing an earlier medieval residence. It has avoided the heavy Victorian remodelling that altered so many contemporary houses, allowing its original character to remain largely intact. The building occupies a sheltered valley, presenting a silhouette that has persisted for centuries.
The construction relies on a combination of local stone and Cornish slate. Fine detailing is evident in the windows, gables, and chimneys, which provide a sense of permanence to the facade. The E-shaped arrangement creates a sense of enclosure, a characteristic common to the ambitious gentry households of the period. The materials used reflect the geology of the surrounding landscape, grounding the manor in its specific Cornish setting.
What to see at the manor
Inside the house, the presence of decorative plasterwork provides a sense of the original interior character. The collection includes a large table and a 300-year-old clock, objects that remain within the domestic setting. Cornish paintings are held here, appearing as quiet fixtures of the rooms. These items exist alongside the architecture, maintaining the atmosphere of a lived-in manor.
The grounds offer a landscape shaped by long-standing traditions. An Elizabethan-inspired knot garden provides a structured element to the outdoor space. Nearby, an orchard contains old varieties of fruit trees and specific Cornish apple varieties. These gardens and the surrounding landscape reflect a history that remains visible in the layout of the land.
