Port Eliot house and grounds at St Germans opened to the public for the first time in 2008. Home to the Earl and Countess of St Germans, the house is one of the most magical and hidden stately homes in England. The Grade 1 listed house dates back as far as the 5th Century and was substantially altered by Sir John Soane at the turn of the 19th Century. The Eliots have lived at Port Eliot since the 16th Century and Peregrine St Germans is the 10th Earl of St Germans. The house, park and gardens are open from March 1st until late June each year including the famous Round Room, pictured above, which boasts a 40ft mural by Robert Lenkiewicz. Port Eliot also houses several masterpieces by Sir Joshua Reynolds, including one if his important early works, Group Portait of the Eliot Family, painted in 1746. Works of art by Romney, Ramsey, Van Dyck and many of the Dutch Old Masters can also be seen as well as interesting pieces of museum quality furniture, including an early Boule armoire. The Round Room at Port Eliot in St Germans features a 40ft mural by Robert Lenkiewicz. Covering the entire wall of the round room. The mural is in two halves, one side depicting death, destruction, insanity, unrequited love, and the apocalyptic end of the world, whilst the other reflects love, affection, friendship, harmony, proportion and consensus. Lenkiewicz called this work "The Riddle Mural" as concealed within the picture are various references to family skeletons, art history and cabalistic mysteries. Port Eliot also houses several masterpieces by Sir Joshua Reynolds, including one if his important early works, Group Portait of the Eliot Family, painted in 1746. Works of art by Romney, Ramsey, Van Dyck and many of the Dutch Old Masters can also be seen as well as interesting pieces of museum quality furniture, including an early Boule armoire.

SITE MAP - left click on the underlined Section or Sub Page to go to that page
Section	Sub Pages	Details
Home Page		The Railholiday self catering holiday accommodation home page
St Ives Bay SK2		The St Ives Bay SK2 holiday carriage home page
	Hayle Area	Info on Hayle and West Cornwall, St Ives, Penzance, Newquay, Truro, Mousehole, St Michaels Mount, Lands End, The Lizard, Falmouth, St Mawes and the Lost Gardens of Heligan
	Gallery	Pictures of the St Ives Bay SK2, Hayle and West Cornwall
	Virtual Tour	Have a look around the SK2 by way of a series of photos
	Visitors Comments	Genuine extracts from the St Ives Bay SK2 visitors book
Travelling Post Office		The Travelling Post Office holiday let home page
	St Germans Area	Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project
	Gallery	Pictures of the Travelling Post Office, St Germans station and village
	Virtual tour	Have a look around the TPO by way of a series of photos
	History	Some history of GWR Travelling Post Office 841
The Old Luggage Van		The Old Luggage Van vacation carriage home page
	St Germans Area	Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project
	Gallery	Pictures of the Old Luggage Van, St Germans station and village
	Virtual Tour	Have a look around the Old Luggage Van with a series of photos
	Visitors Comments	Genuine extracts from the Old Luggage Van visitors book
	Walks from St Germans	Selection of walks centred on the village
Prices and Availability		This years prices and availability for all the holiday lets
	Next years prices	Next years prices and availability for all the holiday lets
Booking		How to book your railway carriage holiday accommodation. You can book over the phone by card or by post with a cheque.
	Booking Form	Use this if you are sending payment by post.
	Booking Conditions	The legal stuff
Things to do		Holiday planning ideas for making the most of your stay
	Rail and Heritage	Railways and trains (standard, narrow gauge & model railways), heritage & attractions to engage the technically minded (prehistoric sites, Cornish mines, the cornish mining world heritage site, china clay extraction, lighthouses etc.)
	Houses & Gardens	National Trust, English Heritage and private houses, country estates, gardens and castles open to the public
	Other attractions	Theme parks (Flambards, Creally) kids play areas, aquariums, animal attractions (Newquay and Paignton zoo, Paradise Park, National Seal Sanctuary etc.)
	Beaches and Outdoor Activities	The best beaches with info on facilities, access, family friendly, dog friendly plus walking, surfing, fishing, canoeing, golf, sailing, diving, karting etc.
	Day Trips by Train	Some possible itineries for days out by train in cornwall
	Fishing	Places to fish near our holiday carriages
	Walking	Places to walk near our holiday carriages
Getting Around		Public transport info; trains, buses, taxis, ferries etc.
News		Late availability deals, special offers, promotions and last minute discounts + Railholiday news and projects
Links		A massive resource with sections on; Cornish and south west railway, environmental, railway sites around the world, Fotopic and other rail photography sites, history and heritage, holiday and charter train, mail by rail, model railway, alternative places to stay including self-catering cottages, camp sites, caravan parks, bed & breakfast, guest houses, farmhouse b&b, hotels and holiday parks, preserved railways, railway search engines and groups.
Contact		How to contact Railholiday

See our offers page for late availability deals, special offers, promotions and last minute discounts. If you want to visit cornwall but what we have to offer doesn't suit you or we are booked up, try the accommodation section of our links page for alternative places to stay including self-catering cottages, camp sites, caravan parks, bed & breakfast, guest houses, farmhouse b&b, hotels and holiday parks that we can recommend.