On Saturday, March 11, Cotehele House and Cotehele Mill will re-open their doors to visitors. Over the last few months the conservation team have worked hard cleaning, waxing, oiling and polishing in preparation for the new season.

Making a return to the house this year is Just Hanging, a self-guided tour that explores the history and mystery behind the vast tapestry collection at the National Trust Tudor house. 

‘The tapestry collection here is one of the most significant within the National Trust and it is internationally recognised as well,’ says Nick Stokes, Cotehele house and collections manager.

‘Just Hanging focuses on the stories that the tapestries tell. During the first year of Just Hanging several visitors told us they didn’t even know they liked tapestries but Just Hanging really gave them an appreciation for them.’

The house and mill re-opening also marks the launch of a new pixie trail starting at the stone bridge over the Morden Stream.

Tiny pixie doors tucked into the trees along the wooded track next to the stream will lead the way between the quay and the mill.

On March 11 there will be pixie-related craft-making in the Discovery Centre on Cotehele Quay and pixie-inspired baking at the mill.

This will be year four of the First World War exhibition featuring personal artefacts loaned from the local community. The exhibition is running until the end of 2018 with a different theme each year.

This year’s theme, ‘Home and away’, can be found in the Breakfast Room during house opening times.

Cotehele House and Mill will be open seven days a week. Milling demonstrations will be on Thursdays and Sundays. For further information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele