Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park sits on the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall, directly across Plymouth Sound from the city - accessible by the Cremyll Ferry from Admiral's Hard in Stonehouse, Plymouth. For families planning a visit, the choice of where to stay shapes the entire trip: stay on the Plymouth side and you get urban convenience with easy ferry access, or stay further south along the Devon coast for a quieter, nature-immersed base. This guide covers 8 family-friendly options across both strategies, with real logistical context to help you decide.
What It's Like Staying Near Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park
The area around Mount Edgcumbe is split by water - the park itself is in Cornwall, while most accommodation sits in Plymouth across the Sound. The Cremyll Ferry runs daily and takes around 5 minutes from Admiral's Hard, Stonehouse, making Plymouth-based hotels the most practical base for most families. The park covers 865 acres of formal gardens, deer park, and coastal paths, so visits easily fill a full day without rushing.
Families staying in central Plymouth can reach the ferry on foot from Stonehouse in around 20 minutes, or drive and park nearby. Those staying south of Plymouth - near Wembury or Bovisand - are closer to the Devon coastal scenery but face a longer drive to the ferry point. Weekends from June through August see peak visitor numbers at the park, with ferry queues forming at busy times.
Pros:
- The Cremyll Ferry gives car-free access to the park - useful for families avoiding parking stress
- Plymouth's amenities (supermarkets, restaurants, attractions) are within easy reach from most hotels listed here
- Coastal holiday parks south of Plymouth offer on-site facilities that reduce daily spend for families
Cons:
- There are no hotels physically inside or adjacent to Mount Edgcumbe - all options require ferry or road travel
- Central Plymouth hotels can be noisy at night near the Barbican and waterfront areas
- Rural holiday parks near Wembury and Bovisand require a car for almost all off-site activity
Why Choose Family-Friendly Hotels Near Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park
Family-friendly accommodation in this area ranges from self-catering holiday parks with on-site pools and play areas to full-service city hotels with family rooms sleeping four. Self-catering parks near the coast typically cost less per night than equivalent city centre hotel rooms when you factor in meal savings from in-unit kitchens. For families visiting Mount Edgcumbe alongside Plymouth's other attractions - the National Marine Aquarium, the Barbican, or a Dartmoor day trip - a Plymouth city base cuts daily travel time significantly.
Holiday parks like Bovisand and Churchwood Valley suit families who want outdoor space, beach proximity, and lower daily costs over a multi-night stay. City hotels work better for families combining the park visit with Plymouth's urban offer. Family rooms at city hotels sleep up to 4 without the need for connecting rooms, which is a practical advantage over standard double configurations. The trade-off is that city hotels offer no on-site outdoor space for children between activities.
Pros:
- Multiple self-catering options give families kitchen facilities, reducing restaurant dependency
- City hotels provide immediate access to Plymouth's ferry point, the Barbican, and the National Marine Aquarium
- Holiday parks offer on-site pools and woodland/coastal walks that occupy children without extra cost
Cons:
- No family hotel sits within walking distance of Mount Edgcumbe itself - transport is always required
- Budget city hotels near Plymouth's A38 corridor lack outdoor space and feel suburban
- Peak summer rates at coastal parks can rival city hotel pricing, reducing the cost advantage
Practical Booking & Area Strategy for Mount Edgcumbe Visits
For families prioritising ferry access to Mount Edgcumbe, hotels near Plymouth Hoe and Stonehouse - including those on Citadel Road and Elliot Street - put you within walking distance of Admiral's Hard ferry point. The Crowne Plaza on Armada Way and the New Continental on Millbay Road are both under 15 minutes' walk from the Cremyll Ferry departure. Families staying further out near the A386 corridor (Future Inn, Ibis Plymouth) should factor in a drive of around 15 minutes to reach the ferry, with parking available on the Stonehouse side.
South Devon coastal parks (Bovisand, Churchwood Valley near Wembury) offer a different approach - closer to quiet beaches and coastal paths, but requiring a drive around Plymouth and across the Tamar Bridge or via the A379 to reach the park. Book at least 8 weeks ahead for July and August stays at Bovisand and Churchwood Valley, as the limited unit count sells out fast. For Plymouth city hotels, last-minute rates can drop in mid-September when school holidays end but the park remains fully open. Mount Edgcumbe's formal gardens and deer park are free to enter, with only the house interior and special events carrying an admission charge - a significant advantage for family budgets. Nearby attractions include Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium, the Barbican Quarter, and Dartmoor National Park, all reachable within 30 minutes from Plymouth city hotels.
Best Value Family Stays
These options deliver strong practical value for families - either through self-catering facilities, on-site amenities, or competitive rates relative to what's included.
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1. Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park, Beachside Location & Indoor Heated Pool
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 313
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2. Churchwood Valley
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 157
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3. Ibis Plymouth
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 64
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4. Future Inn Plymouth
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 83
Best Premium Family Stays
These hotels offer a stronger overall experience - whether through landmark positions, distinctive character, or higher-tier facilities - for families willing to pay above the area's average nightly rate.
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5. Crowne Plaza Plymouth By Ihg
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 83
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6. New Continental Hotel; Sure Hotel Collection By Best Western
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 90
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7. Duke Of Cornwall Hotel
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 67
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8. St Elizabeth'S House
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 195
Smart Timing and Booking Advice for Mount Edgcumbe Visits
Mount Edgcumbe's peak season runs from late May through early September, when the formal gardens are in full display and the park hosts outdoor events and theatre productions. July and August see the highest demand for family accommodation across all categories - coastal parks like Bovisand and Churchwood Valley fill their limited unit inventory fastest, often weeks before city hotels reach capacity. Families targeting the gardens at their best should aim for late May or early June, when crowds are significantly lower than in July and accommodation rates have not yet reached summer peaks.
September offers the strongest combination of open park, quieter visitor numbers, and lower hotel rates across Plymouth - the park remains fully accessible and the Cremyll Ferry continues operating on its standard schedule. For families with school-age children limited to July-August, book coastal park accommodation at least 8 weeks in advance and target city hotels mid-week for better availability. A 2-night stay is typically enough to combine a full day at Mount Edgcumbe with Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium or the Barbican; 3 nights suits families adding a Dartmoor day trip. Last-minute city hotel rates in Plymouth can drop noticeably in late August as the summer rush subsides, but self-catering parks rarely discount at short notice given their limited stock.
