Tehidy Country Park facts for kids
Tehidy Country Park is a large park in Illogan, Cornwall, England. It covers about 250 acres (1 square kilometer) of land. This land used to be part of the estate around Tehidy House, which was once a grand manor house.
Today, the park offers many fun things to do. You can find an events field, special areas for barbecues, and places for outdoor learning. There is also a permanent orienteering course, which is like a treasure hunt using a map and compass. The park even has a campsite for schools and youth groups. For many centuries, the Basset family owned this estate. They became very rich from the local tin mining industry. In 1983, Cornwall County Council bought the estate and the house. Tehidy Country Park is now one of four country parks in Cornwall.
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Tehidy House: A Look Back
The name 'Tehidy' comes from the Cornish language. It means 'house' and a personal name. The Basset family owned the Tehidy estate for a very long time, starting around the 1100s. They gained control of the land when William Basset married Cecilia, who was an heiress from the de Dunstanville family.
By 1330, William Basset had a large building on the estate. However, during the Cornish Rebellion of 1497, rebels destroyed it. They did this to get back at John Basset, who was the Sheriff of Cornwall, for being loyal to the King.
Building and Rebuilding the House
In 1734, John Pendarves Basset began building a new, grand house. His brother, Francis Basset, took over the estate in 1739 and finished the house. Later, in 1861, another John Francis Basset started rebuilding the house again. He used the money he earned from mining and land rents. For example, between 1860 and 1861, he made about £20,000 from the Dolcoath mine and the Basset mines. The new house was finished by 1863.
By 1888, Arthur Francis Basset inherited the estate. But the mining industry was not doing as well, so it became hard to pay for the estate's upkeep. In 1915, the family left the mansion. After 700 years, the Basset family sold the estate in 1916.
Tehidy House as a Hospital
In 1918, Tehidy House became a hospital for people with tuberculosis. Sadly, on February 23, 1919, a fire destroyed the house. But it was completely rebuilt by January 1922.
Tehidy Country Park: Exploring the Land
You can find signs of human activity from many centuries ago within Tehidy Country Park. In the North Cliffs area, there is an ancient earthwork, which is a large mound or ditch made by people long ago. In Oak Wood, you can still see earth banks that were once boundaries for fields.
The Basset family shaped the landscape you see today. Many things they created have disappeared, but some parts of their old estate can still be found.
Plants and Animals of Tehidy
The woodland at Tehidy has different layers of plants.
- Tallest Trees: You'll see trees like Ash, Alder, Oak, Beech, Sycamore, Birch, Japanese Maple, Conifers, and Chestnut.
- Lower Shrubs: Below the tall trees are shrubs like Holly and Hazel.
- Woodland Plants: The park is home to classic woodland plants such as Bluebells, Wild Garlic, Daffodils, and many types of ferns. You'll also find different kinds of Rhododendron.
The park is also home to many animals. You might spot swans, geese, rooks, jackdaws, coots, moor hens, grey squirrels, otters, and badgers.
Tehidy Hospital: A New Purpose
In the middle of the park, there is a large building that is now private property. This building used to be Tehidy Hospital, also called Tehidy Sanatorium. It was originally the Basset family's home before being turned into a hospital. It was used to treat patients with tuberculosis. Later, it also helped people who had strokes, head injuries, and breathing problems.
Like many old TB hospitals, it had several wards spread out across the large grounds. The operating room was updated in the early 1980s, but it never reopened. Over the years, most of the wards closed. The hospital finally shut down completely in April 1988. It has now been changed into fancy apartments. Several new luxury houses have also been built around the old hospital buildings. Please note that you cannot walk through this part of the park, as it is private property.
Images for kids
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Tehidy House, Illogan, near Camborne, Cornwall, depicted circa 1900. This is the neo-classical house re-built 1861–63 by John Francis Basset (1831–1869). Collection of Cornish Studies Library, Cornwall Centre, Redruth
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Tehidy House photographed circa 1916
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Tehidy House photographed circa 1916
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Tehidy House, Palladian building started in 1734 by John Pendarves Basset (1713–1739) and completed in about 1740 by his brother Francis Basset (d.1769). Demolished c. 1861 for re-building in neo-classical style by John Francis Basset (1831–1869)
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Tehidy, depiction of a public celebration circa 1800
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"Tehiddy House, Cornwall. The Seat of Francis Basset, Baron De Dunstanville" (1757-1835). 1832 engraving by John Thomas after T. Allom
