Trereife

T R E R E I F E House has been the home of the Le Grice family since 1798. The site has been identified by the name from as early as 1201. The name originates from the Cornish for a farmstead in the original ownership or working of the original settler of the homested of Eruf.

Architecturally, this is one of the most interesting houses in

Cornwall, being a fine and typical example of the houses in the

beginning of the 18th Century. The House is listed Grade II

with the stables and adjoining walled gardens.

There is a fascinating history of the Nicholls and Le Grice families. Charles Valetine Le Grice was the son of the Reverend Charles Le Grice, Lecturer at St James, Bury St. Edmonds, being born 14th February 1773, descended from a Le Grys (a follower of William the Conqueror) who subsequently acquired lands particularly in East Anglia. Sir Robert Le Grys, an earlier member of the family, preceded Charles Valentine Le Grice in Cornwall to become the Governor of St. Mawes Castle in 1633.

The Reverend Charles Valentine le Grice was affectionately known to his

family as ‘CV’ . He was an urbane, witty intellectual who thrived in the

company of his school friends, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge,

Charles Lamb and Leigh Hunt. He was somewhat of a literary person writing

prolifically on all manner of subjects. He ran the estate efficiently and played

an active part in local affairs, as magistrate and curate. He maintained a

very strong friendship with Coleridge and contact continued throughout their

lives. Reverend Le Grice was an early friend of Sir Humphrey Davy, meeting

him first on Battery Rocks on the seafront of Penzance and then speaking with Sir Isaac Newton. In 1806 he was appointed perpetual curate of St Mary’s Church for his time as a model clergyman enjoying good and lively sermon, good company and a hearty wit and very fond of the use of the pun.

At the back of the house you will find an Art Gallery.

Project part financed by the

EU, EAGGF & DEFRA.