Tucked away in the Cornish countryside, a captivating ancient manor lies at the heart of a charming village still bustling with locals. This remarkable stately home has been inhabited for 1,000 years and is widely regarded as the longest continuously occupied house in the UK.

I recently visited the picturesque village of St Germans and met the current residents of Port Eliot House. My companion and I were treated to a guided tour of the stately home, which includes the mesmerising sight of Robert Lenkiewicz’s famous Round Room Riddle mural. The house is open to all, with tours led by the wonderful guide Coco Brown MBE – and she brings to life the unconventional family’s history, shares the stories behind the artwork on display and even touches on some possibly “ghostly goings on” within the ancient rooms.

Before stepping inside the stately home to discover the lives of the sirs, earls, butlers, servants and valets who have called it home over the centuries, I spent a little time exploring a delightful shop and café also located on the grounds.

The Stables Café, its adjoining shop and the Elephant Bar on the Port Eliot House estate are equally worthy of a visit.

Guests can also wander through the stunning gardens and parkland from 10am to 5pm daily (adults £6), which were bursting with bluebells and wild garlic when I explored the grounds (on Sunday, April 26).

Within Port Eliot House, I certainly sensed a welcoming spectral presence in certain rooms of times gone by, as the inhabited residence remains preserved in time and proves utterly captivating.

Lady Bianca Eliot presently resides in the aristocratic residence alongside her children; she also serves as landlady of the village pub, The Eliot Arms – an authentic Cornish establishment in the community.

One remarkable Eliot from history, who passed away in his 30s, emerged as the most striking and vibrant personality I discovered during the house tour.

Edward James Eliot was born at Port Eliot House in Cornwall in 1758 (he also died there in 1797 and is buried in the family vault at the nearby St Germans Church).

Edward James Eliot played a pivotal role in the abolition of slavery, championing significant parliamentary reform and carrying out charitable endeavours, despite his comparatively brief existence.

Portraits adorning the walls at Port Eliot illustrate Edward and numerous other family members throughout history, predominantly painted by artist Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723 – 1792).

These historical images chronicle the tale of sorrow, joy and the unconventional spirit of the Eliot family from that era – and it represents a compelling narrative.

Port Eliot House initially served as home to Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements, followed by Celtic Christians and monks prior to King Henry VIII’s dissolution of monasteries during his reign.

Subsequently, John Eliot of Coteland acquired the Port Eliot estate in 1565 (he’s rumoured to have come to Cornwall from Devon) and he was the first family member to start off the lineage.

Over the centuries, the family went on to move the shore of an estuary for trading convenience. They also provided their servants and valets with fine rooms boasting exceptional views — a rarity at the time.

The family’s political influence was largely positive and was occasionally expressed in a rebellious manner.

The website for Port Eliot explains the extensive history in detail, describing the “relaxed elegance” of the house and the grounds, as well as how to book a tour of the stately home.

“We welcome you to our secret corner of England, the ancestral seat of the 11th Earl of St Germans and home of the Eliot family”, the website added.

This incredible Grade-I listed priory and house was “remodelled by Sir John Soane in the 18th century”, before renowned landscape gardener Sir Humphrey Repton went on to create the gardens and parkland that visitors can also explore.

To find out more about this stunning stately home in Cornwall and plan your own visit, head to the Port Eliot House website.