Poldark baron's Italian Pavilion home in Cornwall for sale

The Italian Pavilion forms part of the mansion house at the 42-acre Tehidy Park estate, which was once in the ownership of the Basset family, one of the most powerful families in Cornwall’s history for over 700 years, dating back to the Norman period.

The ancient family of Cornwall and Devon were descendants of Thurstan Basset, believed to be the son of Osmund Basset of Normandy. The Cornish family became very wealthy in the 18th century from leases for copper and tin mines on their estates and by 1873 were the fourth largest landowners in the county.

Francis Basset, 1st Baron de Dunstanville and Basset of Tehidy, is perhaps the most famous of the family today, having been immortalised in the Poldark novels, which later became a TV series.

The Italian Pavilion was once the estate conservatory Picture: Savills / Right Move

The family first acquired the manor of Tehidy in the mid-12th century. Its most substantial building was dismantled during the Cornish Rebellion of 1497, with a new mansion house built in 1734.

Francis Basset took possession of the estate in 1739 and re-built the house using income from mining and land rents. The house was completed by 1863. The Basset family sold the estate in 1916 for use as a hospital for tuberculosis patients.

However, in 1919 the main house was destroyed by fire and had to be entirely rebuilt. The Italian Pavilion, which was the conservatory during the Basset era, remained intact.

The reception hall Picture: Savills / Right Move

The estate served as a hospital for many years. In 1983 the estate was opened to the public as Tehidy Country Park and in 1988 the hospital closed. The historic buildings were converted back into residences in the 1990s.

Occupying the southerly wing of the main mansion house building, the Italian Pavilion backs onto the private parkland grounds and has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, plus a two-bedroom annexe.

Features include a double volume ceiling and part mosaic flooring in the main living room, while the principle bedroom – formerly the billiard room – features a magnificent ceiling mural that frames an impressive 12 panel glass pyramid style skylight.

The principle bedroom has a stunning ceiling Picture: Savills / Right Move

The property is currently owned by the Polledri family, who bought it as a family home. They said: "It has been a fantastic home for us over the years, providing all the space we could possibly want for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

"The grounds are wonderful and very private and peaceful, while the house itself is light, airy and, of course, incredibly beautiful.

"It is such a special and unique home that, despite it not being what we were looking for, we put in an offer to buy it on the spot, we were so bowled over by it.

"Now it is time to move on and we can only hope its new owners enjoy their time here as much as we have."

The kitchen diner Picture: Savills / Right Move

Chris Clifford is marketing the Italian Pavilion on behalf of Savills Cornwall, for offers in excess of £1.25 million. He said: "The Italian Pavilion is more than a home, it is a piece of Cornish history, and its sale represents a rare opportunity to become its custodian.

"The scale and flexibility of the property mean that it will hold particular appeal to larger families and those who enjoy entertaining, while its setting will be a great attraction to anyone who is looking for peace and privacy."

The Italian Pavilion is for sale for offers in excess of £1.25 million

An aerial view of the estate Picture: Savills / Right Move