Callington has a weekly market on Wednesday, and four fairs annually.
The prospects from the summit of Kitt Hill on Hengeston Downs, near Callington, are very extensive; comprehending the windings of the Tamar, the Hamoaze, Plymouth Sound, Mount Edgecumbe, and surrounding country. About five miles from Callington, in the parish of Calstock, is Cotehele or Cuttayle House, one of the most antient and curious constructed mansions in England. It is situated on a pleasing eminence on the western bank of the Tamar; but being almost surrounded with wood, the river can only be seen from some of the windows of the higher apartments. There is no account when this mansion was erected; but from the style of architecture, is supposed to have been built about the time of Henry VII. It is a very irregular pile of building, inclosing a small quadrangle, the approach to which is through a square gateway tower on the south side. At the north angle, is a large square tower, which contains the principal apartments.
This place from the beauty of its situation and other local circumstances, has excited great curiosity, and parties of pleasure make frequent water excursions to it in the summer: boats for such purposes are to be hired at Plymouth or Saltash.
The entrance hall opening from the quadrangle, is embellished with a collection of antient armour, and warlike instruments; and gives a true picture of the feudal dignity of antient times. The several apartments in the house are enriched with a great variety of curious old articles of furniture, such as carved ebony chairs, cabinets, &c. There is besides, some very fine tapestry, ornamented with the figures of Romulus and Remus, &c., in good preservation. The chapel connected with the dining room is small, and was originally ornamented with painted glass windows. The altar cloth, composed of rich velvet embroidered, is ornamented with the figures of the Twelve Apostles, and other appropriate embellishments.
This mansion has belonged to the Edgecumbe family since the reign of Edward III.; and here Sir Richard Edgecumbe, who was attached to the House of Lancaster, concealed himself from the tyranny of Richard III. In remembrance of his miraculous escape, he erected the small chapel which stands on a rocky precipice, close to the river.
In the month of August, 1789, their late Majesties, with the Princess Royal and the Princesses Augusta and Elizabeth, honoured this old mansion with a visit, and breakfasted with the Earl and Countess of Mount Edgecumbe.
Calstock Church stands about half a mile from the village, on a commanding eminence, and is a small antient fabric, containing several memorials of the Edgecumbes.
About a mile from the church, is Harewood House, the seat of Salisbury Trelawney, Esq. It is a handsome building, erected on one of the most delightful spots of the banks of the Tamar. Mason in his poem of Elfrida, has made Harewood the scene of the loves of Ethelwold, and of the misfortunes consequent to his union with the fair daughter of Edgar.
The village of Calstock is situated close to the side of the river, and here is a regular ferry to Beer Alston, in Devonshire.
About three miles from hence, is Pentillie Castle, the seat of John Tillie Coryton, Esq. which was erected a few years ago, from designs by Wilkins, on the site of an old family mansion. It is a very beautiful Gothic structure, with a majestic portico on the south side, surmounted with pinnacles, and being built on a bold eminence rising abruptly from the river Tamar, it really possesses a commanding and dignified appearance. The interior contains a number of spacious apartments finished in a handsome and costly manner.