Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.

Built / Designed For: Sir William Carew, 5th Bt.

House & Family History: The Carew family came from Pembrokeshire, acquiring Antony in the early 15th century, when Sir Nicholas Carew married Joan Courtenay. Sir Wymond Carew was receiver-general to three of Henry VIII's queens: Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, and Catherine Parr. The family continued to produce impressive offspring: Richard Carew was a noted antiquary who published "The Survey of Cornwall" in 1602. In 1928 Sir John Gawen Carew-Pole married Cynthia Mary Burns, daughter of Walter Spencer Morgan Burns, a nephew of J.P. Morgan, with the result that some of Morgan's collection came to Antony. In 1961 Sir John gave the house and 29 acres to the National Trust.

Collections: In the early 20th century the collection of Mrs. Arthur James of Coton House, Warwickshire, was brought to Antony. The house contains an important collection of 18th and 19th century ceramics that were once owned by J.P. Morgan, as well as paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds and a famous painting of Charles I during his trial. Most of the collection at Antony House remains owned by the Carew-Pole family.

Comments: Antony is considered one of the most important 18th century houses in Cornwall and one of the finest surviving Queen Anne buildings in the West Country.

Garden & Outbuildings: The grounds, owned by the Carew Pole Garden Trust, were landscaped by Humphry Repton and include the National Collection of Day Lilies.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S, Vol. I, p. 96, 1854.

Country Life: LXXIV, 172, 202, 1933.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II*

Current Seat / Home of: Sir John Richard Walter Reginald Carew-Pole, 13th Bt.; Carew-Pole family here since 1432.

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Sir Nicholas Carew, until 1539; Sir Wymond Carew, until 1549. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir William Carew, 5th Bt., until 1744; Sir Coventry Carew, 6th Bt., 1744-48; Sir John Carew, 7th Bt., 1748-62; Sir Alexander Carew, 8th Bt., 1762-99; Sir John Gawen Carew-Pole (Pole-Carew until 1926), 12th Bt., 1924-93.

Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

Ownership Details: The Carew-Pole family lets part of Antony House from the National Trust.

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01752-812-191

Fax: 01752-815-724

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No