Join us for an exclusive weekend in Cornwall
This autumn why not join Country Life on the beautiful Boconnoc estate for a wonderful weekend away.


Country Life will be running an exclusive weekend for readers on the magnificent country estate of Boconnoc, Cornwall from the 1st - 4th October 2015.
Boconnoc House and its surrounding grounds is one of Cornwall's most beautiful locations. The house dates from 1250 and over the years three prime ministers, a fatal dual and the architect Sir John Soane have played a part in the story of this unique estate.
In 1579 Lord Russell, Earl of Bedford sold Boconnoc to Sir William Mohun who went on to rebuild it. Later, Thomas Pitt purchased the estate with the proceeds of the famous Pitt Diamond in 1717, which he sold to the Regent of France.
Eventually, the estate was bequeathed to the Fortescue family in 1834.
The current owners, Anthony and Elizabeth Fortescue have worked extraordinarily hard to restore the property to its former glory. Thanks to a 12 year award-winning restoration project, today Boconnoc House, its beautiful woodland garden, Georgian bath house, Soane stable yard and 15th century church once again stand proud.
The Boconnoc weekend includes a 3 night stay in the main house and surrounding cottages, a private concert from students of the Royal College of Music, a lecture from our Architectural Editor, John Goodall on ‘Country Life and the English Country House: The story of an unlikely relationship’, visits to local country houses and an immaculate private garden and a one dish workshop at Rick Stein's seafood cookery school.
The total cost of the weekend is priced at £685 per person, with a £75 single supplement. This cost includes all food and drink during your stay. For further details visit www.boconnoc.com/countrylife or to book tickets call 01208 872 507 or email info@boconnoc.com
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Bedrooms are on a first come first served basis and places are limited to a small number so book now to avoid disappointment. Full payment must be made to confirm a place on the trip. Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy apply.
Full itinerary:
DAY 1: Thursday 1 October 2015
2.30–3.00pm | Guests arrive |
3.30pm | Tea served |
4.00pm | Relaxed walk and talk around the gardens at Boconnoc |
6.00pm | Lecture from John Goodall, Architectural Editor on Country Life |
7.15pm | Drinks and dinner served |
DAY 2: Friday 2 October 2015
8.00–9.30am | Breakfast served |
9.45am | History talk on Boconnoc with tour of house and church |
12.30pm | Light lunch at Boconnoc |
1.15pm | Bus leaves for Pencarrow |
3.15pm | Depart Pencarrow |
3.45pm | Arrive in Padstow –chance for guests to walk around Padstow |
6.00pm | One course cooking demo at the Padstow Cookery School |
8.30pm | Bus departs for Boconnoc |
DAY 3: Saturday 3 October 2015
8.00 – 9.30am | Breakfast served |
9.45am | Bus departs for Tressilian garden tour |
11.00am | Leave Tresillian |
12.00pm | Visit to a stunning private garden and lunch |
2.30pm | Return to Boconnoc |
3.00pm | Tea and time to relax |
6.15pm | Take seat for the musical concert |
7.15pm | Drinks and dinner |
DAY 4: Sunday 4 October 2015
8.00 – 9.30am | Breakfast served |
*This timetable is subject to change
Terms and conditions Should you or any member of your party need to cancel your trip to Boconnoc once it has been confirmed, you must immediately advise us in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. Correspondence should be directed to: Country Life c/o Estate Office, Boconnoc, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0RG. Regarding cancellation 25% of the trip cost is a non-refundable deposit and the outstanding payment will only be returned if cancellation is by 1 August 2015. No money will be returned if cancellation is after 1 August 2015, unless the place is filled. The tour will have 20 guests in total.
Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges if you have your own insurance. Insurance must be arranged by the client.
If any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person may transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing we are notified not less than one week before arrival. Where a transfer to a person of your choice can be made, all costs must be paid before the transfer can be affected.
The owners reserve the right to cancel any booking without any liability on their part in the event of any damage or destruction of Boconnoc House or the cottages by fire or any other cause beyond their control, which shall prevent them from discharging their obligation in connection with any booking. In such cases all fees paid will be returned forthwith. Boconnoc will not be responsible for any consequential loss arising from this condition.
In the event that damage occurs to Owner’s property or to any fixtures or fittings (to include the house, cottages, stable yard, lawns and gardens) the client will be responsible for reimbursement in full. The Owner will obtain three quotations for any remedial work, and by agreement with the client, accept the quotation that will most closely restore the item to its original condition.
The property has areas of potential water hazard (rivers and lakes). Clients will be made familiar with these. All children are the responsibility of their parents, please watch them at all times.
All bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils, ironing board, iron and hairdryer are provided in the cottages and house. No more than two guests are allowed to stay in each room in Boconnoc house, tower and cottages.
The organiser reserves the right to cancel upon reasonable notice and issue refunds. If less than 8 people book the trip cancellation will be announced two months prior to the event by 1 August 2015. Full refunds will be given if the trip is cancelled.
Country Life is unlike any other magazine: the only glossy weekly on the newsstand and the only magazine that has been guest-edited by HRH The King not once, but twice. It is a celebration of modern rural life and all its diverse joys and pleasures — that was first published in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year. Our eclectic mixture of witty and informative content — from the most up-to-date property news and commentary and a coveted glimpse inside some of the UK's best houses and gardens, to gardening, the arts and interior design, written by experts in their field — still cannot be found in print or online, anywhere else.
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